Global garden products Alpina AR2 400 Installation guide

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Autoclip 140, 145, 125, 127, 325, 500, 700

Alpina AR2 400, 600, 1200

Lizard S1, S14, S2, M4, M440, M480, M485, Q6

2

1. Summary

1.

Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 2

2.

Installation with wire .................................................................................................................... 3

2.1

Preliminary information ........................................................................................................ 3

2.2

Recharging base installation .................................................................................................. 4

2.2.1 Recharging base versions .......................................................................................................... 4

2.2.1.1 Recharging base without transmitter ......................................................................................... 4

2.2.1.2 Recharging base with internal transmitter ................................................................................. 5

2.2.2 Installation ................................................................................................................................. 6

2.3

Charger and transmitter installation ...................................................................................... 8

2.4

Border wire installation ......................................................................................................... 9

2.5

Return to recharging station ................................................................................................ 17

2.5.1 Return to recharging station: options ....................................................................................... 17

2.5.1.1 Return to recharging station: options available for each robot model ..................................... 18

2.5.2 Wire installation for “On bounce” and "V-meter" return options ........................................... 18

2.5.3 Return to recharging station: fast return .................................................................................. 18

2.6

Secondary areas installation ................................................................................................ 20

2.6.1 Adjacent perimeters installation .............................................................................................. 23

2.6.1.1 Example ................................................................................................................................... 24

2.6.2 Installation near to other brand robot....................................................................................... 26

2.7

Closed area installation ....................................................................................................... 27

2.8

145 model installation with guide wire to recharging station ............................................. 28

2.9

Transmitter and receiver set-up ........................................................................................... 30

2.9.1 Sinusoidal signal ...................................................................................................................... 30

2.9.1.1 Transmitter configuration ........................................................................................................ 30

2.9.1.2 Receiver configuration ............................................................................................................ 32

2.9.2 TX-S1 signal ............................................................................................................................ 32

3.

Installation without wire (robot 145 – S2) .................................................................................. 35

4.

Installation activities ................................................................................................................... 40

4.1

Pre-installation activities ..................................................................................................... 40

4.2

Post-installation activities.................................................................................................... 40

5.

Changes description ........................................................... Errore. Il segnalibro non è definito.

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2. Installation with wire

2.1 Preliminary information

General rules and requirements for the installation of recharging base, battery charger, transmitter and border

wire are common among all the different robot models.

It is recommended to pay particular attention to properly select the appropriate model on the basis of the

characteristics of the lawn, considering the fundamental parameters reported on technical tables (see user

manual) and hereinafter described:

1. Maximum suggested lawn dimension: this is the maximum dimension (square meters) of the lawn

that the robot can manage, considering the quantity and capacity of batteries installed. In any case, it

is suggested to select a robot with a square meter capability significantly higher that lawn dimension.

In addition, remember that real coverage capability of the robot decreases if the complexity of the

garden (bumps, secondary and separated areas, etc… ) increases.

2. Maximum slope:

a. Maximum suggested slope: it is the maximum suggested slope for the robot in standard

configuration. It is suggested, as general rule, to do not overcome this value. In case the

robot is installed on areas with slopes higher than this value, it is strongly recommended to

properly verify for proper robot functioning on that areas and evaluate the need of

installation of special accessories (different kind of wheels, anti-tilt kit, etc,,,)

b. Maximum slope near the wire or external border: it is the maximum slope allowed near to

the perimeter of the lawn or near to the wire (perimeter wire or guide wire to recharging

station for 145-S2 robot model).

c. Maximum allowed slope: it is the maximum slope that the robot can manage.

Remember that the worse situation on slopes is when the robot is in descend since in this case it can

arrive on the border or border wire with high speed and go outside the lawn without possibility to

come back in.

The following figure shows the example for a 145- S2 robot with perimeter wire installation

(applicable to guide wire to recharging station installation too).

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3. Secondary areas: some robot models are able to manage a certain number of secondary areas in

addition to the primary one. Secondary area is defined as an area of the lawn that is connected to the

principal one with a corridor that is not easily reachable accidentally by the robot. See the document

“Set-up” for detailed information.

2.2 Recharging base installation

2.2.1 Recharging base versions

Robots using sinusoidal signal have the recharging base with signal transmitter that has to be located outside

the recharging base.

Robots using the new TX-S1 signal have two different models of recharging base:

• recharging base with EXTERNAL TRANSMITTER: first models of S2145 and 920 robots

• recharging base with INTERNAL TRANSMITTER: 145,125,127,325,920 - AR2400,600,1200 – S2

manufactured later than April - May 2012

2.2.1.1 Recharging base without transmitter

The base is provided with a 6 conductors cable that ends with a white 6 poles female connector to be

connected to the signal transmitter:

• Central pins 3 and 4 are used for transmission of signal (are connected with the black and red

connectors on recharging base)

• External pins 1 and 6 are connected to the positive recharging plate

• Pins 2 and 5 are connected to the negative recharging plate

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Following are the part numbers for connector and pins provided together with the recharging base wiring:

• 6 poles female connector

• female crimp connector

2.2.1.2 Recharging base with internal transmitter

The transmitter is located inside the recharging base.

The transmitter is embedded inside a box with the following electrical interfaces:

• Power supply connector:

o blue wire is the positive (+), brown is the negative (-)

• Black and red bushes for connection of the perimeter wire

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In this way, power supply going to the recharging plates will no more pass through the signal transmitter,

allowing increase of recharging process efficiency (no voltage drop inside the signal transmitter board).

In this case, the recharging base will be directly connected to the battery charger by using a cable with only 2

conductors.

2.2.2 Installation

The recharging base has to be installed in accordance to the following requirements:

1. Located at the edge of the lawn, in an area with flat, stable and draining ground. The flat area shall

extend posteriorly with respect to the base for at least 1.5m (in this way, the location where the robot

synchronizes with the signal coming out from the base is located in a flat area)

2. Located so there are at least 2m of rectilinear cable before the base and at least 30cm before the first

curve in front of the base

3. Located so it does not receive water directly from irrigation system (especially from display side, for

robots provided with display)

4. It shall not be located near to an electric gate in order to avoid interference

5. It shall be well fixed to the ground. Pay attention that a step shall not be present at the entrance of the

base (step can naturally form sometime later installation time, due to traces left by the robot on the

ground). Eventually, locate a grass carpet in order to compensate the step. Another possibility is to

remove the grass from the area under the base and install the base aligned with the grass at the robot

entering side. The installation of a grass carpet on the back area of the recharging station, up to the

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location where the robot synchronizes with signal once exit from the base, can avoid too much traces

becomes visible on the garden.

6. Base entrance shall be installed so the robot can reach the base following the wire on clockwise

direction

7. Located in a position that allows to agree with requirements related to charger and transmitter

installation

8. Cable provided with base shall not be modified

9. Cable connecting the base with charger or transmitter shall leave the base on the opposite side with

respect to the cutting area

10. Cable connecting base to the charger or transmitter shall be outstretched in order to avoid the

creation of undesired magnetic fields and therefore interferences.

11. In case the lawn is fenced with metal bars to separate the grass area from the external areas, it is

strongly recommended to locate the recharging base in the farthest position from the metal bars

(areas where they are not present or move the base inside the garden, see picture below)

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12. It is all the time recommended to locate the recharging base (and the incoming 2m long perimeter

wire) far from know sources of disturbances (metal, electric gates, high power lines, etc...)

2.3 Charger and transmitter installation

Note: only charger if the transmitter is embedded in the recharging station

Charger and transmitter shall be installed according to the requirements in the following:

1. Located preferably in a close room

2. If located outside, they shall be installed in a location that allows air exchange and protected from

direct sun and water

3. Located outside the garden area (area delimited by border wire)

4. Cables provided as part of charger and transmitter shall not be modified

5. Locate the items at 2-3m (80-120inc) distance from recharging station and 160cm (63inc.) minimum

above the ground

6. Only for robots provided with sinusoidal signal: in case of installation with long perimeter wire

(600m +/-20%) or in case of signal related issues, install the 48V amplifier to be connected to the

transmitter. For the installation of this component, all the requirements described for charger and

transmitter are applicable.

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2.4 Border wire installation

After the correct location for the recharging base and charger / transmitter has been selected, it will be

possible to proceed with border wire installation.

Install the border wire in accordance with the following requirements:

1. For the first installations it is suggested to install the wire on the surface of the lawn. After some

weeks, the wire will be absorbed by the ground and grass (first weeks after installation, cutting

height shall be left higher than normal to avoid that the robot cuts the border wire). After the first

installations, thanks to acquired experience, it is suggested to use the cable layer machine and install

the wire underground.

a. If the wire is installed underground, installation deep shall be about 2-3cm (maximum 5cm).

Higher deep will cause signal level attenuation.

b. Be careful that the wire is installed straight and on curved sections it assumes a constant

curvature

c. Wire shall not be tended, coiled and corrugated

d. In case the wire is installed on lawn surface, fix it with the proper nails provided with the

robot (suggested distance between adjacent nails is 100-200cm)

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2. Connect one side of the wire to the black bush on recharging base and exit from front side. Install

border wire to delimit garden and internal areas not to be cut. Finally enter from back side,

connecting the end of the wire to the red bush. Cable sides entering and exiting the base shall not be

crossed

3. Border wire shall be installed in the following position with respect to recharging base:

a. Centered for all robot models excluding 125 127 325 AR2400,600,1200

b. Moved to the left side of the recharging base for 125 127 325 AR2400,600,1200 robot (use

the wire guide provided on the recharging base)

4. It is suggested to leave some stock of wire in case of need for future modifications (make a virtual

flowerbed)

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5. Install border wire turning in clockwise direction

6. Flowerbeds shall be delimited turning anticlockwise direction (otherwise the robot identifies the

flowerbed before it is arrived on the wire and it is possible that signal problems can arise also in

areas far from the flowerbed)

7. Where it is necessary to have two parallel wires (for example to reach a flowerbed), they shall be

superimposed or installed at a maximum distance of 1cm (0.4inc) one to the other

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8. If there are two flowerbeds / obstacles near one to the other, it is possible to go directly from the first

to the second and come back. Parallel wires shall be installed according to point above.

9. Sidewalks located inside the garden (at the same level of the garden) or that are necessary to allow

the robot to enter / exit adjacent areas, shall not be delimited with wire

10. It is absolutely necessary to delimit all the objects both inside and outside the lawn area that can

create issues to the robot (trees with roots over ground, every element not tall enough to be detected

as a bump by the robot, etc…) or cause injury to the robot (swimming pool, hole, sudden slope

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change, precipice, etc…). Install the wire around these elements according to the distances specified

in the following.

Delimited

element

Robot 145 –

S2 (used with

external

border wire)

Robot 125

127 325 AR2

400,600,1200

Robot 500, M Robot 700, Q

Sidewalk at

same level of

garden

5 5 5 5

Sidewalk at

different level

of garden

(difference

>2cm)

35 35 35 35

Wall 35 35 35 35

Hedge 35 30 30 35

Flowerbed 35 30 30 35

Drain cover 35 30 30 35

Trees with

roots over

lawn surface

35 30 30 35

Swimming

pool, hole,

precipice

70 70 70 80

Figures in the following are only examples. For distances from delimited elements refer to the

previous table.

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15

In case the wire is installed on slopes or slippery ground, it is necessary to increase distances in table

above of at least 30 cm. / 11,81 inc.

11. It is not necessary to delimit objects that do not create issues to the normal functioning of the robot

since they are clearly identified as bumps

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12. In case it is necessary to perform joints on the border wire, execute the procedure provided in the

following. It is recommended to identify in some way on the garden surface the positions where

joints are located. Joints are weak points where the border wire could oxide incase the joint itself is

not well done. Knowing the position of the joints could help in case it is necessary to inspect the

border wire due to high resistance or low insulation with respect to ground (see "Troubleshooting"

document)

a. Divide the conductors into two groups at both the ends to be joint

b. Join together the groups

c. Bend the joined groups so they assume a position parallel to the two ends of the wire

d. Insulate with proper material (it is suggested to use 3M “Scotch 23”)

13. Maximum border wire length is specified in the technical table

14. Look at following paragraph for border wire installation requirements in order to use “On bounce”

or "V-meter or" and “Quick return” return options to the recharging base

15. For 145 – S2 model, a “Recall on wire” (see next paragraph) shall be located at recharging base

entrance as described in next paragraph.

16. Maximum border wire length for 125 127 325 AR2400,600,1200 model is 600m

17. Maximum distance robot - wire for each good functioning of the robot is guaranteed is:

a. 60m for brushless motors robot

b. 50m for brush motors robot

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2.5 Return to recharging station

2.5.1 Return to recharging station: options

There are three different kinds of return available:

• Return “On wire”: The robot follows the wire with one wheel inside the perimeter and one wheel

outside the perimeter. Each time the robot will return to the base, it will follow the same path (only

the wire following start point will change depending on the position of the robot on the lawn at time

of return decision).

• Return “On bounce”: The robot follows a path made of arcs, touching the wire at the beginning and

at the end of each arc. Only when the robot detects a special wire shape called “Recall on wire”, it

starts to follow the wire (“On wire”) for a distance of about 14m (distance traveled on-wire can be

set using special set-up on Service Menu. See document "Robot set-up"). In case the robot does not

find the recharging station within XXX minutes driving "on-bounce", it will start automatically to

drive "on-wire", iwq6n order to reduce the risk to miss the recharging station ("recalls on wire" non

properly installed or not properly detected by the robot)

• Return "V-meter": the robot drives parallel to the border wire at a variable distance from about 10

cm to 1m. The distance from the border wire is more or less constant during the same approach,

while it changes among different approaches. As is case of "on-bounce", the robot starts driving on-

wire" after a certain time. Also in this case, in order to force the robot to drive "on-wire", it is

necessary to use the "recall on wire". There are special conditions under which the robot

automatically decides to drive "on-wire" for some meters, for example in case bumps are found

along the path when the robot is driving parallel to the wire.

“On bounce” and "V-meter" returns have the following advantages:

• Less traces on the garden since the robot does not follow every time the same path

• The recharging base is reached in less time

• Better behavior on slopes

• Less probability of blackout problems due to disturbed boundary signal

Example of “On bounce” return, robot models 500,700,M,Q

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2.5.1.1 Return to recharging station: options available for each robot model

Robot Model Returns available

145-S2 V-meter (if updated )

125,127,325

AR2400,600,1200

V-meter (default)

On-wire

500,M On-wire (default)

On-bounce

700,Q On-wire(default)

On-bounce

See the document “Set-up” for the procedure to select the desired return options.

2.5.2 Wire installation for “On bounce” and "V-meter" return options

A special installation of the wire, called “Recall on wire” is necessary for “On bounce” and "V-meter"

return.

“Recall on wire” indicates to the robot that it is near to the recharging base or a narrow passage (from which

the robot could not pass through while making the arc or driving parallel to border wire at maximum 1m

distance from the wire) or an arrow for quick return (see next paragraph).

As soon as a recall on wire is detected by the robot, the robot will start to follow the wire “on wire” for about

14m. The robot will come back to “On bounce” or "V-meter" return if it does not enter the recharging

station.

“Recall on wire” shall be installed according to the following requirements:

• It shall have a rectangular shape. Wire shall be installed so the rectangle is 2m long and 5cm wide.

• It shall be located before the recharging base (about 4-10m).

• It shall be located before narrow passages (less than 2m) at a distance variable from 4 to 10m.

• It shall be located before arrows at a distance variable from 4 to 10m.

• It is suggested to leave a stock of wire before or after the “recall on wire” so it can be modified and /

or easily moved at the end of installation in case of need

• It is strongly recommended to test for proper identification of each "recall on wire" at the end of

installation

2.5.3 Return to recharging station: fast return

The fast return feature can be used with all the three return options above described.

Fast return feature is available for all robots excluding 145-S2

Fast return capability allows to decrease the length of the path that the robot has to follow in order to reach

the recharging station.

See pictured in the following for examples.

A special installation of the wire, called “Arrow”, is necessary to use the “Fast return” option.

When the robot finds the arrow along the path on the wire, it turns 90° to the right and travels until it finds

again the border wire. Then, it restarts to drive according to the desired option (on-wire, on-bounce, V-

meter).

19

Fast return has the following advantages:

• Robot reaches the recharging base in less time and causes less batteries wear.

• Robot reaches the recharging base in less time and can exit earlier to work for a new cycle (however,

during work times set on menu)

• Less traces on garden

• Robot drives less distance on the wire, reducing the probability of blackout problems.

Arrow dimensions shall be in accordance to the figure in the following.

Arrows are to be located in accordance to the following requirements:

• Arrow dimensions in figure above are approximate. In some situations, especially due to wheels slip,

it could be necessary to increase dimensions. It is suggested to verify the correct detection of the

arrows at the end of installation with batteries not completely charged

• There shall be at least 2m (80inc) of straight wire before the arrow

• There shall be at least 1.5m (60inc) of straight line after the arrow

• There shall not be bumps along the whole path from 2m before to 1.5m after the arrow

• Arrows are not to be located in the wire section before the recharging base, otherwise the robot will

never dock properly

• The robot shall not have the left wheel on a sidewalk or on slippery ground for the whole path from

2m before to 1.5m after the arrow

• Going to secondary areas, the robot does not identify arrows

• If a flowerbed (or, in general, an object delimited with border wire located inside the lawn) is big

enough to have one side (obviously the correct one) that allows the correct location of an arrow (2m

+ 1.5m straight wire), it is suggested to add the arrow so the robot can exit the wire following around

the flowerbed before than normally doing

• An arrow could be located after the recharging base so, if the robot does not dock properly, can

come back to the base directly.

• After the arrow has been detected, the robot can rotate of an angle that is not exactly the nominal 90°

angle. It is not possible to define an exact angle, since the rotation depends on the characteristics of

the ground where the arrow is located. Therefore it is suggested to:

o Decide arrow position considering that the robot can rotate not exactly 90° (about 70°-110°)

o Test each arrow at the end of installation (test using selected return to recharging base

method)

• It is suggested to leave a stock of wire before or after the arrow so it can be modified and / or easily

moved at the end of installation in case of need

20

Figures in the following provide information and suggestions useful for the correct installation of arrows.

2.6 Secondary areas installation

Secondary area is defined as a part of the lawn connected to the main area by a narrow passage that could not

be accidentally reached by the robot during normal functioning (random travel) for a total number of times

necessary to allow good and efficiency mowing of secondary area.

Primary area is defined as the area where the recharging base is located.

Bigger is the primary area, higher shall be the dimension of the passage so the probability that the robot will

enter the secondary area without specific set-up from user menu of the robot is high.

Obviously, the secondary area shall be at the same level of the primary one (without steps).

If the dimension of the passage connecting the primary area to the secondary one is not big enough to allow

accidentally entrance of the robot on secondary area a number of times sufficient to allow good mowing of

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