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will change to that as shown in Figure 5.8, reminding you to keep it connected to the charger until the next
use.
Charging is such an important aspect for assuring good performance and Power Pack life that a special
alert and power management system is incorporated into the mower to remind and alert you when the
proper charging process is not occurring.
5.4 Power Management & Charging Alerts
The Robomow is equipped with a sophisticated power management and alert system that operates at two
levels; 1) to use the energy provided from the Power Pack in the most efficient manner during operation
and non-operation and 2) to help remind or alert you when the charging system is not being used properly
in order keep the Power Pack in top condition for peak performance and service. Level one is a somewhat
transparent level to the user, but under certain conditions will communicate information to the level two
system in order to alert you that something regarding the Power Pack and charging system needs your
attention. It is the level two system that communicates to you through LCD messages and audio.
The basic assumption of the system is that the Robomow will be connected to a charger at all times when
a Power Pack is inserted in the mower, except when in operation. This assumption is made because this
is the only way to insure that the Power Pack will always deliver satisfactory performance during operation
and will also provide a reasonable service life. Given this, the system alerts the user at several different
levels and frequencies when this is not happening. In addition, the system can also alert the user when
something has interrupted the charging operation, such as a loss of power to the charger for example.
The Power Pack should be fully charged before initiating any operation. In addition, you should have
examined the mower before operation to look for problems that may cause excessive energy consumption
and thereby less than optimum run-time. Examples include dull blades or heavy grass accumulation
around the blades. Other examples can be found in Chapter 7 Text Messages and Troubleshooting
.
First
and foremost, insure that the Power Pack is indeed fully charged before putting it to work. Only when the
LCD displays the message in Figure 5.8 is the Robomow fully charged and ready for mowing. And lastly,
use the Robomow for the job it was designed to do, cutting normal levels of grass growth.
The Robomow can operate under two different run-time scenarios; 1) operate the maximum time allowable
by the system, where this time is dictated solely on the remaining level of energy in the Power Pack and 2)
where the run-time is set to operate a fixed amount of time set by the user, such as one hour for example.
Maximum operation will always display
‘Recharge Battery”
after the cutting session and a fixed time will
display
‘Time Complete’
after the session.
Under either of these operating scenarios it is important to
retrieve the Robomow and place it on the charger as soon as practical, preferably within 6 hours from the
time it stops operation.
Figure 5.8
Ready
Keep Charging
Figure 5.7
Charging
Battery Icon
The importance of proper charging and maintenance of the
Robomow Power Pack cannot be stressed enough.
Failure to follow the recommended charging procedures will
result in poor performance of the Robomow and shorten
the life of the Power Pack.
