Robot mowers

Author
Discussion

dynamomomo

22 posts

58 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
quotequote all
Podie said:
dynamomomo said:
I hope someone can help or advise...

My Flymo 1200R has given me 2 years of awesome service and daily mows. I love it to bits. But after 2 years of flawless performance, my mower has started to act up. He seems to struggle with bumps he used to previously sail over, gets clogged easily, throws up a bunch of “trapped” errors, spends whole days sitting in one spot with no visible issue in

Cleaned him loads over the last three days (more than ever before) but I can’t say it helped. I even gave the grass a mow using the big mower (which we haven’t used for two years) in an attempt to help robomower along, but I don’t think it’s made any difference.

...has anyone encountered erratic behaviour? What ended up helping? I’m at a loss.
It'll be the battery - I had similar issues recently. Replaced it and Mowbi is back to rude health.

I got an Intensilo 2500mAH for Flymo 1200R / Husqvana Automower 305, 308 for £43 from eBay

It's 4 screws to remove the cover.
That’s great to know - will buy the off-brand.

Out of curiosity - why does the battery dying cause these issues? He frequently stops and just states “trapped” —— pushing “start” without changing anything makes him go on his merry way.

Zoon

6,710 posts

122 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
quotequote all
dynamomomo said:
That’s great to know - will buy the off-brand.

Out of curiosity - why does the battery dying cause these issues? He frequently stops and just states “trapped” —— pushing “start” without changing anything makes him go on his merry way.
Maybe a voltage issue. I noticed ours was failing when I noticed tufts of grass remaining uncut.

Podie

46,630 posts

276 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
quotequote all
Zoon said:
dynamomomo said:
That’s great to know - will buy the off-brand.

Out of curiosity - why does the battery dying cause these issues? He frequently stops and just states “trapped” —— pushing “start” without changing anything makes him go on his merry way.
Maybe a voltage issue. I noticed ours was failing when I noticed tufts of grass remaining uncut.
No idea. Ours stopped going out, unless I pressed START on the day. Odd.

dynamomomo

22 posts

58 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
quotequote all
Podie said:
Zoon said:
dynamomomo said:
That’s great to know - will buy the off-brand.

Out of curiosity - why does the battery dying cause these issues? He frequently stops and just states “trapped” —— pushing “start” without changing anything makes him go on his merry way.
Weird. I’ll report back tomorrow (got mine on Prime).

Maybe a voltage issue. I noticed ours was failing when I noticed tufts of grass remaining uncut.
No idea. Ours stopped going out, unless I pressed START on the day. Odd.

Frimley111R

15,678 posts

235 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
quotequote all
dynamomomo said:
Out of curiosity - why does the battery dying cause these issues? He frequently stops and just states “trapped” —— pushing “start” without changing anything makes him go on his merry way.
Not sure but you get similar on cars when the battery is on its last legs

biggiles

1,716 posts

226 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
quotequote all
The battery can only supply X amount of instantaneous power. When it's old, it will be a percentage of this power e.g. 50%. When it's "almost trapped" this won't be enough power to get it out of trouble so it will stop and wait for help. Much like an old car battery will struggle when it's colder than usual.

There's a periodic battery health monitor in the Husqvarnas in the service menus- there's probably something similar in the Flymo as they come from the same family.

dynamomomo

22 posts

58 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
quotequote all
biggiles said:
The battery can only supply X amount of instantaneous power. When it's old, it will be a percentage of this power e.g. 50%. When it's "almost trapped" this won't be enough power to get it out of trouble so it will stop and wait for help. Much like an old car battery will struggle when it's colder than usual.

There's a periodic battery health monitor in the Husqvarnas in the service menus- there's probably something similar in the Flymo as they come from the same family.
Oh that makes sense - thanks!

The menu on the Flymo is pretty limited - no battery options (unless there’s an advanced mode I can’t see!).

[Fun fact - I asked Flymo customer services for support diagnosing the issues and they just said “contact Husqvarna”. You guys have been much more helpful!]

random_username

143 posts

101 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
quotequote all
Try going to the main menu, then holding 7 and 9 for a few seconds - on the Husqvarna mowers that shows you a hidden service menu.


justin220

5,347 posts

205 months

Thursday 1st August 2019
quotequote all
How do people go about feeding the grass with a robomow? Still required?

Just stop the robomow going out for a few days?

Zoon

6,710 posts

122 months

Thursday 1st August 2019
quotequote all
justin220 said:
How do people go about feeding the grass with a robomow? Still required?

Just stop the robomow going out for a few days?
The grass cuttings end up feeding the lawn, but don't worry about putting any treatments down.

dynamomomo

22 posts

58 months

Thursday 1st August 2019
quotequote all
random_username said:
Try going to the main menu, then holding 7 and 9 for a few seconds - on the Husqvarna mowers that shows you a hidden service menu.
That worked - lots of fun stuff there!

Old battery had 2378 charge cycles, so I assume changing it is a good idea (and I just did, so will see if that makes a difference). Will let you all know how he does tonight.

I see firmware can be updated. Any point in doing this? Not sure if this is publically available.

random_username

143 posts

101 months

Thursday 1st August 2019
quotequote all
I think the firmware is only available at the service centres - you need special software to upload it even if you can get the binaries...

Our Husqy is still on it's original batteries (Li-Ion) after 5 years and still seems to be running fine - and is somewhere over 4000hrs run time now. Other than needing a new front loop sensor about 6 months ago (£40 or so from one of the online spares places) it's been perfect.

There used to be some online forums for modifications / customisations, mainly based in France from what I remember (where interestingly they are referred to as 'electric sheep'). Someone figured out the serial port comms protocol so added manual remote control with a raspberry pi, tracking, and all sorts of other stuff..

They also did some fairly ropey bodykits for them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGnMlf-zazE


Rib

2,548 posts

190 months

Friday 2nd August 2019
quotequote all
Love the red bull audi one 😂😂😂

Frimley111R

15,678 posts

235 months

Friday 2nd August 2019
quotequote all
Robomower for Petrolheads! hehe

Ean218

1,965 posts

251 months

Friday 2nd August 2019
quotequote all
I can confirm the 7 & 9 keypress reveals the service menus on the McCulloch branded machines as well, thanks very much.

dynamomomo

22 posts

58 months

Wednesday 7th August 2019
quotequote all
dynamomomo said:
That worked - lots of fun stuff there!

Old battery had 2378 charge cycles, so I assume changing it is a good idea (and I just did, so will see if that makes a difference). Will let you all know how he does tonight.

I see firmware can be updated. Any point in doing this? Not sure if this is publically available.
FYI it was the battery, and the cheap one seems to be performing admirably. Thanks to all for the help!

Frimley111R

15,678 posts

235 months

Thursday 8th August 2019
quotequote all
Winning! (at diagnosing robomowers hehe)

Podie

46,630 posts

276 months

Thursday 8th August 2019
quotequote all
dynamomomo said:
FYI it was the battery, and the cheap one seems to be performing admirably. Thanks to all for the help!
Good result

Notrial

17 posts

61 months

Monday 12th August 2019
quotequote all
Hi guys, need some help.

I just installed my Flymo a few days ago. All wireing is good, solid green light on the base. 2018 model.

I have two sections of the garden connected with a narrow bridge. One section is about 180m2 and the other (where base is located) is smaller... around 80m2.

Therefore it is crucial that I use remote start function. I tried both "often" and "always" settings but mower simply doesn't do what it's supposed to. It always starts from the base. I tried leaving it on auto for 2-3 days.

I am clueless on how to debug and fix this 😔

Boundary wires work fine and it can follow the guidewire home from the end of the line without issues, it just won't do it the other way around.

What can I do? Any ideas?

snake_oil

2,039 posts

76 months

Monday 12th August 2019
quotequote all
So zone 1 is small and 2 is large? And you have the boundary wire running over the bridge and the guide wire going over the middle of this bridge and contacting to the far end of the larger area?

If so I'm stumped. Got any pics?