Robot mowers

[davek_964]

oyster said:

So having read through this entire thread the conclusion seems to be that robot mowers, for now at least, are just technology for the sake of technology.

Having had one, I wouldn't say that. I think it did an excellent job - and I really liked the fact that I didn't feel forced to cut the grass just because it was getting a bit long, and it might rain tomorrow etc.

Whether it's reliable technology is a different matter. I almost certainly will buy a replacement when we're close to spring and since I still have a boundary wire laid out should be a simple installation. I would prefer that Amazon had a greater selection though because I would like their customer service if it goes wrong.

[davek_964]

Where did the Robomow owners get their mower from?

Usually, I rely on Amazon for pretty much everything - but the few Robomow they list are from third party sellers - some of which look very dodgy ("We can't dispatch to all addresses, please mail us before add to basket".... and poorly translated descriptions).

I think the Robomow RC series does tick all the boxes I have, but it's a case of finding one!

[davek_964]

Thanks.

I've now ordered an RC306. I wanted a pro model because I fancied GSM but I can live without it.
I don't actually expect my order to be fulfilled though! Amazon UK now list some Robomow and although not fulfilled by them, they are not 3rd party sellers. They are cheaper than I'd expect though, so suspect I will need Amazon to refund me...

ETA : Order cancelled almost immediately with no explanation. Think I need to find one that isn't a scam...

Edited by davek_964 on Sunday 19th February 13:05

[davek_964]

Dan_1981 said:

When we say it doesn't do edges - how close are we talking?

Is this all edges or just some certain type of edges?

Our lawn is enclosed on the rear, wall & fence on all sides - would we be left with an area we need to strim or do i have to get the mower out?

The Bosch Indego I had needed a 40cm margin, so it was quite a sizeable edge it didn't cut, all the way around.

I believe one of the Worx models on Amazon has offset blades and claims it only leaves a 2cm edge.

[davek_964]

Chopsie said:

Hi, I have a Bosch Indego 1000 which was working when I took it inside at the end of a day's cutting due to rain forecast and the following morning it didn't work. It was due a battery charge but I didn't have time to leave it on the docking station - thought I would charge it in the morning.
The machine used to give a soft relay-type of click a few seconds after putting the unit on the docking station then the display would fire up. Now it give a loud click every 5 secs with the green light on but the mower isn't connecting. Initially I saw a message on the mower display stating there is an error with either the perimeter wire or docking station but now nothing appears on the screen at all. I put a jumper cable across the input-output connectors of the perimeter wire to simulate a complete perimeter circuit but that didn't do anything.

I rang Bosch. The nice lady told me to go through the power reset procedure - which I did but no change. I asked to speak to a tech engineer but was told he was not there that day but she would ask in the office to see if anyone had any other ideas and would ring me back. No call came. (I recall from the thread that someone else was given the same promise)

It was bought in May 2015 so is out of warranty.

So far I have found info a German website - in English thankfully - which says if the docking station can't sense the magnet controller at the front of the mower it will give a perimeter error message. The magnet is still seated in its housing in the front of the shell.

I took the back off the signal tower on the docking station and cant see/smell anything burnt out.

The German website says there is 3.8V from the docking station which drops to 2.8v when the mower is plugged in. The station then send a short 42v (yes that's what it says on the website) burst for some reason - think it was the magnetic controlling circuit.

Is there anyone out there who could talk me through a few basic checks - ie voltage checks, visual checks, etc. Where is the battery for the mower's date/time memory? Is it worth starting there? How long does the main lipo battery last? Not sure if I left the red key turned on when I took it in overnight. Could that have drained the battery too low and now it wont re-charge??

Having read the comments about Bosch's aftersales service I don't want to send it to them for repair but equally don't want to buy a new mower if it is something simple. I don't like to give up without a fight!

I don't think it's the battery for the date / time - if that has a problem, you should have a message on the display saying something like "Deep button battery discharge" or something like that.
I really think the Bosch mowers seem to be quite unreliable. Mine only lasted about 5 months before I got the above error - they are great when they work, but that simply isn't long enough.

From your description, it does sound like your mower has absolutely zero power from the battery. I doubt it's because it's gone that flat overnight.