No signal

[junbme]

My 2009 Lawnbott 2150 started to have "no signal" issue if it is more than 8~10 feet away from the cable, but has no problem to go back home along the cable.  I checked the signal along the cable (about 1200 ft) with inductive amplifier and the signal exist all along. The resistance of the cable is measured at 5.2 Ohm. I also counted the light on the transmitter: it is 10 yellow and 9 green. Does that means something?
I just emailed my dealer for solution and wonder whether you have any suggestion? thanks. Jun

[Botman]

I had something similar last year when someone used a shovel and stabbed it into the ground and cut my wire.  The wire was still close enough to give me a normal green/orange reading.  I don't have an inducer, so I can't comment on that.  If you have a spare wire laying around you could make a temporary zone to see if it works.  I've read that the signal receiver can go out, but don't know if this can cause this type of behavior.  Please update on what you find out.

[junbme]

I tried with new cable for a temporary zone, still have the same issue. Left message to custom service waiting for the call back.

[shep874]

This seems to be a continuing problem for many Bott owners.  I have had this problem for three seasons now.  It is about time to get this problem solved.  For one thing I have to ask, why we do not have a meter available to find, if a signal exist and what is the strength of the signal.  It is shameful that one has to purchase 1500 feet of wire, (as I have done) to by pass all existing wire in order to prove that the problem is in the transmitter or in the receiving unit.

[junbme]

I finally found out what happened. The blade motor ran out within 2 years. My dealer replaced with new blade motor that old mother board does not support. After talking to Lawnbott support, they mailed me a new motherboard. Once I replaced the motherboard, it works just fine. I wish I knowe this earlier, so that I don't have to spend weeks under the sun to spin the wheel and I don't have to buy another mower to handle the lawn myself.
I think the new motor may generate some noise that interferes with the signal? Or old mother board is too sensitive?
BTW, special thanks to RobotLady. She has been great resource to me in the painful diagnostics process.
Jun

[RobotLady]

Jun, thanks for patiently following the information in the No Signal Troubleshooting guide.  Troubleshooting the Lawnbott "no signal" problem is a challenge because so many different problems can cause it.  I am glad to learn yet another possible cause!  I was not aware a mismatch between the motherboard and the blade motor can cause the problem.

I might try to get Lawnbott to hire me to work on the problem.  I have some ideas for how they can improve the wiring to reduce the electrical noise from the motors.  If my ideas work, it would make the receiver far less sensitive to signal disruptions.

Ultimately, I would like them to fly me to Italy so I can train their engineers.  That would be a nice trip!

Robotlady

[junbme]

That would help! I hope they will listen to you. Jun

[RobotLady]

I just spent a day at a customer site working on a "no signal" issue.  After much trial and error, here is my conclusion:

1) Never work on your wire with the power on.
2) If you experience an intermittent signal issue and the lights on the transmitter are fine, try turning the power supply off for 5 minutes and then turn it back on.
3) The problem could show up more if you have a signal booster and work on the wire and/or have lightening in the area.

We have a theory that there is a protection circuit connected to the output amplifier inside the transmitter.  Disruptions in the signal may activate the protection circuit when it is not supposed to be activated.  The protection circuit, if activated at the wrong time, is probably making the signal unreadable or nonexistent.

A signal meter sure would be helpful!

Robotlady