Using LB 3500 in closed area

[shep874]

Two links for doors or gates that would work
http://www.hitecpet.com/powerpetdoors.html


http://www.robolawn.com/robogate.cfm?cfid=4311995&cftoken=61284078

[evblazer]

Shep874 I only see the one link to the one that automatically moves up/down, and then the robogate again, but definately looks like a good option to me if I put that fence up one day in my place.

There is also another type which just unlocks the swinging gate when the special key comes nearby. Might be more reliable and parts more easily adaptable to a custom gate that goes with the surroundings better.
http://www.discount-pet-superstore.com/dog_doors/electronic_dog_door.htm

[RobotLady]

So was the "manual" programming mode removed from the firmware?  Its listed in the instruction manual as a programming option.

I am not sure what you are referring to in the manual.  Tell me the page number and I will look it up.  It is possible to set the menu to "border off" and you can mow in a fenced area without the wire.  It will be brutal on your bump sensors and will cause wear and tear on your fence, too.  It seems better to use the wire, even if you will drop the mower in the area manually; can't see why you wouldn't.

[jzawacki]

evblazer: That looks like the perfect solution.  With a $99 price tag, it's affordable.. from what I can tell, it looks like it is using some kind of piano hinge at the top and the video I saw on youtube, it lifts up a little bit to allow the door to swing.  It should be fairly simple to modify it as it looks like all the major components are located in the top of the housing.

The only negative would be weatherizing it.  As it is designed to be on the inside of the house, I'm sure it isn't weather proof.. but how hard could that be, right?

[toolbelt]

Here is another page of the same door that gives some dimensions.  That is what I was referring to.  I'm sure there are others.  

http://www.petdoors.com/power-pet-automatic-pet-doors.html

I wonder if the wind would be a big factor with the $99 door.  If not that actually would be the way to go.  You probably could cut the bottom section off so it sat right on the ground.

[jzawacki]

Well, it may take a little more "engineering" than that, as from the video I saw of it on youtube, it's the bottom that actually holds the door closed.  When it raises up about 1/4 inch out of the bottom groove, it can swing freely.  Then, it lowers back down into the groove.  But, I don't see why you couldn't create a bottom like this:

Code: [Select]

|        |
 \      /

With just enough lip on each side to hold the flap shut, but not get in the way of the bot.  It's also very nice that it uses 4 D batteries.. though again, I don't know how they would hold up to the weather.

[toolbelt]

You could keep the batteries or a DC transformer inside the house and just run a wire out to the gate.  Looks like all you would have to  do to the unit would be to make everything wider.  Then build a ramp so the bot could go up and over the bottom part.  Ramp shouldn't be more than a inch or two to clear it.  Lift the grass and put some extra dirt under it.... 
I still think the tunnel is the way to go.  Hang a bunch of plastic straps down from the tunnel ceiling and it would look like it was solid to animals.

[RobotLady]

How about starting a topic on automatic fence gates?

[jzawacki]

Heh.. I kinda already did.

http://paradiserobotics.com/forum/index.php?topic=12.0

[pellep]

So was the "manual" programming mode removed from the firmware?  Its listed in the instruction manual as a programming option.

I am not sure what you are referring to in the manual.  Tell me the page number and I will look it up.  It is possible to set the menu to "border off" and you can mow in a fenced area without the wire.  It will be brutal on your bump sensors and will cause wear and tear on your fence, too.  It seems better to use the wire, even if you will drop the mower in the area manually; can't see why you wouldn't.

On page 43 in the manual, it describes a menu line called "Work Mode".  From that menu, you can choose "Automatic", "External", or "Without Perimeter".

The "External" option would work perfectly for me - I would place the mover in the enclosed area and when the work cycle ended, it would just stop rather than circle the perimeter wire endlessly looking for the charger. 

Any idea if this option was in a older firmware, or maybe a new one?

Thank for all the suggestions
Paul

[RobotLady]

I believe there have been some changes to the software and to the manual.  Now the menu item is called Border and you select "No" each time you want to turn the border off.  You have to select it every time.  If the enclosed area has a physical barrier around it, you can run a loop of wire into it (12" apart) and the robot will follow the wire when the battery gets low or when the work time is completed.

[RobotLady]

Heh.. I kinda already did.

http://paradiserobotics.com/forum/index.php?topic=12.0

Friendly request for someone who has the time: Can someone volunteer to cut and past the new posts about the auto fence gate into the older topic above?  That way all of this great information will not be lost in the wrong topic.  Then please continue the conversation there.  Thanks!