Fill level / pinch sensor broken AGAIN

Help & Support Domestic Robots
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Hi!

I require your help regarding a problem I’m encountering.

Description:
Pinch sensor and fill level sensors constantly giving false positives.

Hardware concerned:
LR3
Software concerned:
N/a
Troubleshooting steps already taken:
Corroded pinch contacts recently replaced (few months ago) I have cleaned and re-seated them. Laser sensor cover and laser head cleaned and recalibrated.

Additional information:
Im so tired of this machine breaking…
This issue started with the waste fill sensor giving false positives. It will now not stop flashing and i cant even recalibrate the sensor.
When i hit reset to override it, it worked for a while so i could still operate the robot manually (it rotated once then says is full again) but now when i hit reset, the yellow pinch error starts happening. The pinch sensor is mechanically looking clean and functional. I assume this means the whole laser sensor apparatus needs replaced? I’m kind of just assuming thats the case it feels like the whole machine is designed to fall apart component by component until you’ve bought the same robot 10 times over.

Thanks for your help. Sorry if im grumpy I know the awful design of these sensors isnt your fault customer service folks…

2

Hello @Scribbinge,

Welcome to RobotShop community.

We are sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your Litter-Robot.

Please provide us with your order number or a copy of the invoice.

This error sequence does indeed show a problem with the DFI sensor and not the Anti-Pinch pins.

Are you having the LASER version of the DFI sensor which has only one circuit board on one side?

We will also need to check the contact pins between the bonnet and the base.

Bonnet’s Pin:

Base’s Pin:

No need to take them out of the robot, we only need to see them from the outside.

Awaiting your reply.

Sincerely,

1 Like
3

Hi Ebram thanks for getting back to me.

My LR3 was purchased off amazon UK on 7th Apr 2018 and Amazon won’t let me download the invoice any more (i assume the order is too old). I get an error saying contact the seller. (Hi!)

The version I have has sensor boards on both sides of the base.

I’ve attached images of the base and bonnet contacts. The plating appears to have worn off but they don’t look corroded.

IMG_20220520_100354
IMG_20220520_1003543000×4000 1.71 MB

IMG_20220520_100323
IMG_20220520_1003234000×3000 1.47 MB

4

Hello @Scribbinge,

Thank you for your reply.

In this case, the robot is likely to be out of warranty unless you had an extended warranty.

If that’s the case, you can just send us the invoice number without downloading the invoice itself.

You would need to replace the DFI sensor and the 2 sets of pins you have sent us pictures of them.

If the Anti-Pinch pins also have some black spots, we recommend replacing them as well to avoid any issues with them in the near future.

Awaiting your reply regarding the extended warranty and Anti-Pinch pins.

Sincerely,

1 Like
5

Ok, thought that would be the case, thanks.

No extended warranty, invoice number is 205-4138653-6269959.

The pinch pins look ok still. Out of curiosity is it possible to bridge the pinch connectors with a single pin to permanently remove it as an error trap? I don’t think its ever done anything for me except break and give false warnings.

6

Hello @Scribbinge,

Thank you for your reply.

The robot is indeed out of warranty.

In this case, you can order the DFI sensor, bonnet, and base contact pins.

The pins aren’t listed on the website yet so we can help you place your order through our replacement department.

This is doable, however, this would remove this safety feature from the robot.

Therefore, it puts your cats in harm’s way so we wouldn’t recommend it.

All you need to do is to clean the 3 sets of pins regularly (every 4-6 weeks) using WD-40 to avoid any problems with them.

Awaiting your reply.

Sincerely,

7

Hi Ebram,

I placed an order for the replacement sensor last night #8000003611 since it had been a while since your last response and I’m perhaps overly keen to stop having to rotate the globe by hand haha. I didnt realise I’d have to do a custom order for the additional pins. Could you let me know how to get in touch to try and amend the order before it ships?

8

Hello @Scribbinge,

Thank you for your reply.

We couldn’t locate your order using this order number.

Are you sure that you have ordered the sensor from us and not from the manufacturer directly?

Awaiting your reply.

Sincerely,

9

Hi Ebram,
Yes looks like thats what i did haha. The hazards of trying to be productive late at night.
Is it possible to arrange an order for just the base & bonnet pins in that case?

10

Very well, we can arrange an order for the base and bonnet contact pins.

We will forward you now to our replacement department to help you place your order.

You will be contacted shortly via email with further instructions.

Have a lovely evening, stay safe.

11

This topic was transferred to internal RobotShop Support.

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