Cracked control panel fix

[toolbelt]

In case your control panel is beginning to show cracks you may want to use some clear heavy duty tape to cover it over. 

Last season I noticed mine had cracked to the point where it was hard to read the display.  I rubbed the display thinking it was just dirt but in so doing caused it to break up.  The section in front of the display broke into small pieces leaving it wide open for rain to enter.  Using the clear tape I covered the control section, display, and buttons with two layers of tape.  Today I noticed that it was working loose so I replaced it.  I can still work all of the buttons as the tape is not that solid.  This fall I'll replace it as part of my yearly maintenance or even sooner should it come loose.

It would be nice if we could purchase a new cover.  From what I can see it is just held onto the front panel with glue.  The old one would have to be scraped off in order to install a new one.

[Radjack]

You have to be gentle with those big fingers of yours...

[RobotLady]

Hi,

Just an idea, I am not sure if this will work - after cleaning out the old display, how about cutting a small piece of clear plastic, such as a report cover or for something hard, thin plexiglass or acrylic?  Then glue it to the face with a really good waterproof glue that dries clear (like E6000), making sure the glue creates a complete seal.  Let the glue dry for 24 hours.

Just curious if you think this would be a good solution to the "cloudy display" problem.

Robotlady   

[toolbelt]

I found an easier fix of just using clear 2 inch wide tape.  I just over lapped two strips all the way across the panel, then put on a second layer.  It's still flexible  so pressing the 'buttons' is no problem.  Like I said, this fall I'll just replace it with fresh tape.  The hair line cracks go way past the display area so gluing in a piece would still leave it open for water to enter.

[glatiak]

Last year my control panel window started to break up. I carefully removed all the plastic over the display and cut a piece of acrylic glazing to fit (1/4" overlap each way) and glued it on with exterior grade silicone. A year later it is still clear and will likely stay that way. I had a similar problem with the front signal light -- it started to break up and I cut an ellipse of acrylic to fit into the opening, glued it in with silicone. Interestingly, I used red house sealing tape to hold it in place while the silicone set -- has provided a nice color to the flasher. A pity they did not use UV resistant plastics -- but this solution seems to work.

[whitey]

  how about this idea; make them so we dont have to jury rig them or out think the ( engineers)

[shep874]

I am with you Whitey...   They need to match the Quality with the Rolls Royce Price.....

[toolbelt]

Come on guys don't put pressure on the engineers, they are overloaded as it stands.  If they can't get the height that the bot should mow right how in heck are they ever going to get a control panel that doesn't crack.  My light lens gets poked out by the limbs on the bushes since they placed it dead center on the front of the shell.  If they really cared they would have combed through this forum for all kinds of suggestions that would have given them a great product.  For example, why in the heck can't we send the bot to more than two other areas?  Also, why does it have to mow for the same amount of time once it gets there?  With these Rolls Royce prices they could have added more memory to allow for all kinds of selections.  Maybe hiring the kid down the street to mow the lawn isn't such a bad idea after all......