Flowerbed Wiring

[moti]

I understand how the robot behaves when bouncing off the perimeter wire while mowing, and how it follows the wire home.... However, since I haven't wired around any flowerbeds yet, I don't understand what the robot will do when it encounters the pair of parallel wires that go out to a flowerbed.

Will the robot bounce off this set of parallel wires when it comes towards them - from either side - or will it pass over these as if they don't exist? When following the perimeter wire home, will the robot turn out onto this wire and go around the flowerbed - or will it skip over this parallel branch? If a flowerbed is located in the center of the lawn, does it matter from which side you run the wires to encircle it?

Thanks.

[shep874]

Just be sure that the parallel wires are next to each other. This will cancel the signal. Be sure that you wire the bed counter clock wise.  I have many beds in my yard and no problems.  you can wire to the bed from any side of the perimeter wire.. Keep in mind that you can use a lot of wire in making flower beds.  The length of wire does effect the signal.  If you already have many feet of wire laid, you may want to consider splitting your yard into zones.  There posting on this form as to how that can be done.

[RobotLady]

One more point is you should make the wire turn 90 degrees from the perimeter up to the bed and then around counter clockwise.  If you make the wire touch the other wire on the way back to the perimeter, it will be invisible to the robot (the signal cancels out).

[moti]

Thanks for the explanation.

We turned 90 degrees, and ran the wires out to the flowerbed - one on each side of the pegs.
Works great.

I'm realizing that one big problem with lawnbott is the documentation. While it is adequate to set things up, it doesn't explain the little nuances of how things work. I'll start a new topic for that.

[toolbelt]

Moti,
Don't panic if you see the bot hit the flower bed wire when it's time to return and start going around and around the bed.  It is smart enough to figure out that it needs to get off that wire and find the perimeter wire.  It will make a few loops then stop, turn, and go find another wire to follow back to the charger.

Ray

[toolbelt]

Moti,

I like your idea of collecting all of the little nuances of how the bot works and would like to suggest that you make a file that all of us could download/view after YOU have updated it with the latest and greatest idea.  It would allow a new comer to print the latest copy and have a ton of neat ideas that he wouldn't have to read every line in this forum to find.  Sometimes a great idea is only posted once in a topic that would never give a hint that it would be found there.

You could take screen shots of displayed pictures and/or drawings so a new person wouldn't have to follow a link to view the object.

We could give you feedback if you have something wrong so you could correct it.  Over time we all would benefit by having a manual that really told it as it is!!

For example, 
1)  How do you divide your lawn into sections using switches or just the perimeter wire.
2) What device do I use to locate a break in the wire.
3) How to mend a break in the wire.

Great answers have already been given for the above, but try to find them……

Go for it….

Ray

[moti]

toolbelt: your post about looping around the flower-bed was so timely - as moti did just that! Thanks for explaining.

[RobotLady]

I vote for putting up a Wiki so everyone can edit their information and it would be accessible for all.  We looked into it at one time but I forgot what the issue is - maybe security?  I will check it again and let you know...

It would act similar to Wikipedia; it can be edited by anyone in the world and read by everyone in the world.  Users who post items would have to register.

Cheers,

Robotlady

[moti]

A wiki is a great idea. We use these all the time in my work, and they're perfect for exactly that kind of information, updating, cross-linking, etc. The forum would still be the best venue for discussions and questions, but a wiki would complement that nicely.

Thanks RobotLady - and thanks again for keeping this forum.

[toolbelt]

jzawacki (a member here on the forum) has already set one up.  RobotLady, wake him up and see it's still available.  He all ready had a ton of stuff in it.

toolbelt