Husqvarna AUTOMOWER 230 ACX User manual

HUSQVARNA AUTOMOWER®
230 ACX/220 AC
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Omslag.indd 2 2014-12-19 13.58

TABLE OF CONTENTS
English - 3
1. Introduction and safety .............................................................. 5
1.1 Introduction ..................................................................................... 5
1.2 Symbols on Automower® ......................................................... 6
1.3 Symbols in the Operator’s Manual .......................................... 7
1.4 Safety instructions ........................................................................ 8
2. Presentation .................................................................................. 10
2.1 Automower®, what’s what? .................................................... 11
2.2 Function of Automower® .......................................................... 12
2.3 Search method ............................................................................ 15
2.4 More than one Automower® in a garden ............................ 16
2.5 One Automower® in several gardens .................................. 16
3. Installation ..................................................................................... 17
3.1 Preparations ................................................................................. 17
3.2 Installation of the charging station ....................................... 18
3.3 Charging the battery .................................................................. 21
3.4 Installation of the boundary wire ........................................... 21
3.5 Connecting the boundary wire .............................................. 29
3.6 Checking the installation ......................................................... 31
3.7 Linking Automower® to the charging station .................... 31
3.8 Installation of the guide wire .................................................. 32
4. Use .................................................................................................... 37
4.1 Charging a discharged battery ............................................... 37
4.2 Using the timer ............................................................................ 38
4.3 Starting Automower® ............................................................... 38
4.4 Stopping Automower® ............................................................. 38
4.5 Restart ............................................................................................ 39
4.6 Switching off Automower® ..................................................... 39
4.7 Adjusting the cutting height ..................................................... 40
5. Control panel ................................................................................ 41
5.1 Shortcuts ....................................................................................... 42
5.2 Programs ....................................................................................... 43
5.3 Select .............................................................................................. 43
5.4 Numbers ........................................................................................ 44
5.5 Main switch ................................................................................... 44
6. Menu functions ............................................................................ 45
6.1 Main menu .................................................................................... 45
6.2 Automower® main menu, menu overview .......................... 46
6.3 Commands (1) ............................................................................. 47
6.4 Timer (2) ........................................................................................ 47
6.5 Installation (3) .............................................................................. 49
6.6 Settings (4) ................................................................................... 57
7. Garden example .......................................................................... 61
8. Maintenance .................................................................................. 66
8.1 Battery ............................................................................................ 66
8.2 Winter storage ............................................................................. 67
8.3 Service ........................................................................................... 68
8.4 After winter storage .................................................................... 68
8.5 Cleaning ......................................................................................... 68
8.6 Replacing the blades ................................................................ 70
8.7 In the event of a thunderstorm ............................................... 71
8.8 Transport and moving ............................................................... 71
9. Trouble shooting ........................................................................ 72
9.1 Fault messages ........................................................................... 72
9.2 Fault symptom ............................................................................. 74
10. Technical data ........................................................................... 75
11. Guarantee terms ....................................................................... 76
12. Environmental information .................................................. 77
12.1 Removing the battery for recycling ..................................... 77
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 - English
Husqvarna AB has a policy of continuous product development and therefore reserves the right to modify
the design and appearance and function of products without prior notice.
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1. INTRODUCTION AND SAFETY
1. Introduction and
safety
1.1 Introduction
Congratulations on your choice of an exceptionally
high quality product. To get the best results from your
Husqvarna Automower®requires knowledge of its
function. This Operator's manual contains important
information about the mower, how you install it and
how you use it.
The following system is used in the Operator's manual
to make this easier:
• Text written in italics is a text that is shown on the
mower's display or is a reference to another
section of the Operator's manual.
• Words written in bold are one of the buttons on
the mower's keypad.
• Words written in UPPERCASE and italics refer to
the position of the main switch and the different
operating modes on the mower.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Read through the Operator’s Manual carefully
and understand the content before using
your Automower®.
WARNING
Automower®can be dangerous if
incorrectly used.
WARNING
Never use the robotic lawnmower
when persons, especially children, or
pets, are in the cutting area.
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1. INTRODUCTION AND SAFETY
1.2 Symbols on Automower®
These symbols can be found on the lawn mover. Study
them carefully so you understand their significance.
• Read through the Operator’s Manual carefully
and understand the content before using your
Automower®.
• The warnings and safety instructions in this
Operator’s Manual must be carefully followed if
the mower is to be used safely and efficiently.
• Automower®can only start when the main switch
is moved to the ON position and the correct PIN
code has been entered. Inspection and/or
maintenance must be carried out with the main
switch set to OFF.
• Keep your hands and feet away from the rotating
blades. Never place your hands or feet close to
or under the body when Automower®is in
operation.
• Do not ride on Automower®.
• Noise emission to surroundings. The machine's
emission is specified in chapter Technical data
and on label.
• This product must be left at an appropriate
recycling station.
• Never use running water to clean the robotic
lawn mower.
Other symbols/decals on the machine refer to
special certification requirements for certain
markets.
DANGERDANGER
KEEP HANDS and FEET AWAY
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1. INTRODUCTION AND SAFETY
• The low voltage cable must not be shortened,
extended or spliced.
• Do not use a trimmer nearby the low voltage
cable. Be careful when trimming edges where
the cables are placed.
1.3 Symbols in the Operator’s
Manual
These symbols can be found in the Operator’s Manual.
Study them carefully so you understand their
significance.
• Inspection and/or maintenance must be carried
out with the main switch set to OFF.
• Always wear protective gloves when working
with the mower’s underframe.
• Never use a high-pressure washer or even
running water to clean Automower®.
• A warning box indicates a risk of personal injury
exist, especially when the stated instructions are
not followed.
• An information box indicates a risk of material
damage exist, especially when the stated
instructions are not followed. The box is also
used where there is a risk of user error.
OFF
WARNING
Xxxxxx xxxxx xxxx xxxx xxxxx xxx.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Xxxxxx xxxxx xxxx xxxx xxxxx xxx.
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1. INTRODUCTION AND SAFETY
1.4 Safety instructions
Use
• Please read the Operator's Manual carefully and
make sure you understand the instructions
before using Automower®.
• Never use the robotic lawnmower when persons,
especially children, or pets, are in the cutting area.
If there are persons, or pets, in the cutting area it is
recommended that the lawnmower be programmed
for use during hours when the area is free from
persons, e.g. at night. See 6.4 Timer (2).
• It is not permitted to modify the original design of
Automower®. All modifications are made at your
own risk.
• Check that there are no stones, branches, tools,
toys or other objects on the lawn that can damage
the blades and cause the mower to stop.
• Start Automower®according to the instructions.
When the main switch is in the ON position;
make sure you keep your hands and feet away
from the rotating blades. Never put your hands
and feet under the mower.
• Never lift up Automower®or carry it around when
the main switch is in the ON position.
• Do not let persons who do not know how
Automower®works and behaves use the mower.
• The robotic lawnmower must never be allowed to
collide with persons or other living creatures. If a
person or other living creature comes in the
lawnmower’s way it shall be stopped immediately.
See 4.4 Stopping Automower®.
• Do not put anything on top of Automower®or its
charging station.
• Do not allow Automower®to be used with a
defective blade disc or body. Neither should it be
used with defective blades, screws, nuts or cables.
• Do not use Automower®if the main switch does
not work.
• Always switch off Automower®using the main
switch when you do not intend to use the mower.
Automower®can only start when the main switch
is moved to the ON position and the correct PIN
code has been entered.
• Automower®must never be used at the same time
as a sprinkler. In this case use the timer function,
see 6.4 Timer (2) on page 47, so the mower and
sprinkler never run simultaneously.
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1. INTRODUCTION AND SAFETY
• Husqvarna AB does not guarantee full
compatibility between Automower®and other
types of wireless systems such as remote
controls, radio transmitters, buried electric animal
fencing or similar.
• The built-in alarm is very loud. Be careful,
especially if the robotic lawnmower is handled
indoors.
Transport
The original packaging should be used when
transporting Automower®over long distances.
To safely move from or within the working area:
1. Press the STOP button to stop the mower.
If the anti-theft alarm (see page 58) is activated;
enter the first digit of the PIN code.
You select the four digit PIN code when you start
the mower for the first time, see page 31.
2. Move the main switch to the OFF position if you
intend to carry the mower.
3. Carry the mower by the handle at the rear under
the mower. Carry the mower with the blade disc
away from the body.
Maintenance
• Inspect Automower®each week and replace any
damaged or worn parts.
Check especially that the blades and blade disc
are not damaged. Replace all blades and screws
at the same time if necessary so that the rotating
parts are balanced, see 8. Maintenance on
page 66.
WARNING
When the mower is turned upside
down the main switch must always
be set to the OFF position.
The main switch should be set to the
OFF position during all work on the
mower’s underframe, such as
cleaning or replacing the blades.
ON
OFF
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2. PRESENTATION
2. Presentation
This chapter contains information you should be aware
of when planning the installation.
An installation of Husqvarna Automower®includes four
main components:
Automower®, an automatic lawn mower that mows
the lawn by moving in essentially an irregular pattern.
The mower is powered by a maintenance-free
battery.
Charging station, where your Automower®returns
when the charge level in the battery becomes too low.
The charging station has three functions:
• To send control signals along the boundary wire.
• To send out signals so Automower®finds the
charging station.
• To charge Automower®battery.
Transformer, which is connected between the
charging station and a 120V(230V) wall socket. The
transformer is connected to the wall socket via an
integrated power cord and to the charging station via
a 66 ft (20 m) long low voltage cable. The low voltage
cable must not be extended. The low voltage cable
must not be shortened nor extended.
Wire, laid in a loop around Automower®’s working
area. The boundary wire is laid around the edges of
the lawn and around objects and plants that the
mower must not run into. The wire is also used for
any guide wires.
The wire supplied with the installation is 1300 ft
(400 m) long (800 ft (250 m) for 220 AC). If this is not
sufficient more wire can be purchased, with a
connector, and spliced onto the existing wire.
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2. PRESENTATION
2.1 Automower®, what’s what?
The numbers in the picture correspond to:
1. Charging strip
2. Cutting height adjustment cover
3. Catch button to open the cutting height adjustment
cover
4. Front wheel
5. Drive wheel
6. Body
7. Stop button
8. Keypad
9. Display
10. Main switch
11. Handle
12. Chassis box with electronics, battery and motors
13. Skid plate
14. Blade disc
15. Charging station
16. Contact strips
17. LED for operation check of the boundary wire
18. Loop wire for the boundary wire and guide wire
19. Transformer with power cord
20. Low voltage cable
21. Staples
22. Connector for the loop wire
23. Screws for securing the charging station
24. Measurement gauge for help when installing the
boundary wire
25. Solderless coupler for the loop wire
26. Operator’s Manual
27. Extra blades
28. Alarm decal
8
9
10
11
12
13 14
15
16
19
20 22
2
5
2 5 26
7
1
2
3
4
6
7
24
23
5
17
18
21
26
27
28
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2. PRESENTATION
2.2 Function of Automower®
Capacity
Automower®is recommended for lawns up to 0.75 acre
(3000 m2) (0.5 acre (1800 m2) for 220 AC).
How large an area is mown depends primarily on the
condition of the blades and the type of grass, growth
rate and humidity. The shape of the garden is also
significant. If the garden mainly consists of open lawns,
Automower®can mow more per hour than if the garden
consists of several small lawns separated by trees,
flower beds and passages.
How long Automower®mows and recharges can vary
depending on, among others, the ambient
temperature. Up to about 77 °F (25 °C) a fully charged
Automower®mows for approximately 60 - 90 minutes,
(40 - 60 minutes for 220 AC), depending on the age of
the battery and the thickness of the grass. The mower
then charges for 45 - 60 minutes. Above 77 °F (25 °C)
both the mowing and charging times gradually drop.
Mowing technique
The mowing system used by Automower®is based on
an effective and energy efficient principle. Unlike
normal lawn mowers, Automower®cuts the grass
instead of striking it off.
We recommend you allow Automower®to mainly mow
in dry weather to obtain the best possible result.
Automower®can even mow in the rain, however, wet
grass easily collects on the mower and the risk of
slipping on steep slopes is greater. To keep the drive
wheels clean and thus increase traction, use
Automower®wheel brushes (505 13 27-01).
When there is a risk of thunder Automower®should not
stand in the charging station. When there is a risk of a
thunder storm, the 120V (230V) plug should be
removed from the mains socket and the boundary wire
disconnected from the charging station.
The blades must be in good condition to obtain the
best mowing result. In order to keep the blades sharp
for as long as possible it is important to keep the lawn
free from branches, small stones and other objects.
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2. PRESENTATION
Working method
Automower®automatically mows the lawn.
It continuously combines mowing and charging.
The charging station sends out a signal that
Automower®can sense at a distance of 20 - 23 ft
(6 - 7 meters). The mower starts to search for the
charging station when the battery charge becomes
too low. Automower®does not mow when it is
searching for the charging station.
When Automower®searches for the charging station
it uses one or more of three different search methods:
Irregular, Follow boundary wire and Follow guide
wire. For more information about the search
methods, see 2.3 Search method on page 15 and
Follow loop in (3-2-2) on page 53.
When the battery is charged the mower reverses,
turns around and leaves the charging station in a
randomly selected direction within the exit sector
90° - 270°.
To make it easier for Automower®to reach all parts of
the garden you can manually set how the mower will
leave the charging station, see 6.5 Installation (3) on
page 49.
When Automower®body hits an obstacle, the mower
reverses and selects a new direction.
Two sensors, at the front and back on Automower®,
sense when the mower approaches the boundary
wire. Automower®overruns the wire by up to
27 centimeters (11") before it turns. The overrun
length can be set, see Drive past wire (3-4-1) on
page 56.
The STOP button on the top of Automower®is mainly
used to stop the mower when it’s running. When the
STOP button is pressed a cover opens, behind which
there is a control panel. The STOP button remains
depressed until the cover is closed again. This acts
as start inhibitor.
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14 - English
2. PRESENTATION
The control panel on the top of Automower®is where
you manage all the mower settings. The main switch
is also located on the control panel. Open the control
panel cover by pressing down the STOP button.
When the main switch is turned ON for the first time, a
start-up sequence begins which includes: selection of
the language, time format, date format and four digit
PIN code, plus setting of the time and date, see
page 31.
The selected PIN code must then be entered each
time the main switch is moved to the ON position.
This theft-prevention function is called Time lock
(4-1-2) and Automower®has this function activated as
a default setting. The function also means that the
mower stops mowing after a set number of days and
will not continue until the correct PIN code has been
entered. The function can be deactivated or changed
as required. For more information about Time lock
(4-1-2), see page 58.
Automower®can enter a sleep mode to save power.
The display on the control panel is then completely
dimmed.
The sleep mode is activated 25 minutes after the
STOP button has been pressed and then not reset to
the operating mode. Automower®is then activated by
switching the main switch off and on.
The sleep mode can also be activated in the event of
a fault occurring during mowing or charging and
which is not rectified within 25 minutes. Automower®
is then activated by pressing the STOP button.
Movement pattern
The mower’s movement pattern is irregular and is
determined by Automower®itself. A movement
pattern is never repeated. This mowing system
means the lawn is mown equally without any mowing
lines.
If Automower®enters an area where it senses the
grass is longer than earlier, it can change the
movement pattern. It can then mow in a square
pattern to cover the area of longer grass more
systematically.
When Automower®mows in a square pattern, this is
known as square mode cutting. The mower must
have been operational for more than 6 hours in order
for Automower®to start square mode cutting.
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2. PRESENTATION
2.3 Search method
Automower®can be set to search for the charging
station in three different ways. Using the setting
options the three search methods can be combined to
optimize the search for the charging station. The
required search method or methods depends on the
shape of the garden.
Search method 1: Irregular
Automower®runs irregularly until it finds the charging
station.
This search method is best for an installation that has
an open lawn and no narrow passages (narrower
than about 10 ft (3 metres)).
The advantage of this search method is that there is
no risk of leaving tracks in the grass after the mower.
The disadvantage is that the search times can be
somewhat longer.
Search method 2: Follow boundary wire
Automower®runs irregularly until it reaches the
boundary wire. The mower then follows the boundary
wire in to the charging station.
This search method is best for an installation that has
an open lawn with wide passages (wider than about
10 ft (3 metres)) and no, or only a small, island.
The advantage of this search method is that the
search times are generally short.
The disadvantage is that tracks can be formed to a
certain extent in the grass behind the mower.
Problems can also arise if there are narrow passages
or a large number of islands, for example, bushes.
Automower®circles an island roughly twice, which can
take a long time and create tracks.
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2. PRESENTATION
Search method 3: Follow guide wire
Automower®runs irregularly until it reaches the guide
wire. The mower then follows the guide wire in to the
charging station.
The guide wire is an extra wire that is laid from the
charging station, out towards a remote part of the
working area or through a narrow passage and is
then connected to the boundary wire. Up to two guide
wires can be installed for 230 ACX. For more
information, see 3.8 Installation of the guide wire on
page 32.
This search method is best for an installation that has
numerous or large islands, narrow passages or steep
slopes.
The advantage of this search method is that the search
times are generally short.
The disadvantage is that the mower can leave tracks in
the grass along the length of the guide wire.
2.4 More than one Automower®in
agarden
If you install more than one Automower®in the same
area of lawn, each mower must have its own PIN code.
A complete installation, including charging station, is
required for each mower. The boundary wires for the
different installations can be routed next to each other.
Contact your dealer for further information.
2.5 One Automower®in several
gardens
One Automower®can easily be used for more than one
garden, where each garden has its own charging
station and boundary wire. The mower can then have
the same PIN code for all gardens.
Contact your dealer for further information.
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3. INSTALLATION
3. Installation
This chapter describes how you install Husqvarna
Automower®. Before starting the installation read the
previous chapter 2. Presentation.
Read the whole of this chapter too before starting the
installation. How the installation is made also affects
how well Automower®will work. It is therefore
important to plan the installation carefully.
Planning is simplified if you make a sketch of the
working area, including all obstacles. This makes it
easier to see the ideal positions for the charging
station, boundary wire and guide wire, if used. Draw on
the sketch how the boundary wire and the guide wire, if
used, should be routed.
Carry out the installation in the following steps:
3.1 Preparations.
3.2 Installation of the charging station.
3.3 Charging the battery.
3.4 Installation of the boundary wire.
3.5 Connecting the boundary wire.
3.6 Checking the installation.
3.7 Linking Automower® to the charging station.
3.8 Installation of the guide wire.
To carry out a complete start-up of Automower®the
charging station must be in position and connected,
the boundary wire connected, and the mower
connected to the charging station. If you would like to
start the mower without having completed the full
boundary installation, you can connect a temporary
short loop around the mower.
3.1 Preparations
1. If the lawn in the proposed working area is taller
than 4" (10 cm), mow it using a normal lawn
mower. Then collect the clippings.
2. Read carefully through all the steps before the
installation.
3. Check that all parts for the installation are
included:
The numbers in brackets refer to the detail
diagram 2.1 Automower®, what’s what? on
page 11.
• Operator’s Manual (26)
• Automower®
• Charging station (15)
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3. INSTALLATION
• Loop wire for the boundary wire and guide wire
(18)
• Transformer (19)
• Low voltage cable (20)
• Staples (21)
• Connector for the loop wire (22)
• Screws for the charging station (23)
• Measurement gauge (24)
• Solderless coupler for the loop wire (25)
During installation you will also need: A hammer to
knock the staples into the ground, combination pliers,
polygrip (for pressing the couplers together) and a
straight spade if the boundary wire is to be buried.
3.2 Installation of the charging
station
Ideal position of the charging station
For examples of good positioning of the charging
station, see 7. Garden example - Proposed installation
and settings on page 61.
If you are going to install a guide wire, read 3.8
Installation of the guide wire, see page 32, before
choosing the position of the charging station.
The charging station must be positioned with a great
deal of free area in front of it (at least 10 ft
(3 metres)). It should also be positioned centrally in
the working area so that Automower®can easily find
the charging station and quickly reach all parts of the
working area.
It is a good idea to place the charging station in the
shadow. The battery is spared if it is charged in the
lowest possible ambient temperature.
The charging station must be positioned on relatively
level ground. The height difference must not differ
more than 2" (5 cm) between the front and rear of the
charging station.
The charging station must not be positioned so that
its plate bends.
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3. INSTALLATION
Consider the distance to a wall socket when choosing
the position. The charging station should be
connected to a 120V (230V) wall socket via the low
voltage cable and transformer.
The supplied low voltage cable is 66 ft (20 metres)
long.
Tip! It is possible to let the low voltage cable cross
the working area. It must then be either stapled down
or buried. In some cases there is a better positioning
option for the charging station than close to a house
wall or by the closest wall socket.
The transformer must be placed where it is well
ventilated and is not exposed to direct sunlight.
It is recommended to use an earth fault-breaker when
connecting the transformer to the wall socket.
Do not put the charging station in a corner or pocket
in the working area.
Avoid placing the charging station in a narrow
passage (narrower than about 10 ft (3 metres)).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The low voltage cable must not under any
circumstances be shortened or extended.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The power cord on the transformer must not
be replaced. In those cases where the power
cord has been damaged, the transformer
must be discarded and replaced by a new
one.
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3. INSTALLATION
Do not position the charging station so that the mower
can come closer than 10 ft (3 metres) behind the
charging station (for example on a narrow point). The
mower will not then find the charging station.
Installation and connecting the charging
station
1. Position the charging station in a suitable spot.
2. Attach the charging station to the ground using
the supplied screws.
3. Ensure the screws are secured all the way down
in the countersink.
4. Connect the low voltage cable to the charging
station.
Only use original cable and transformer.
5. Connect the low voltage cable to the transformer.
The connectors may be slightly difficult to
connect, as they are moisture-proof.
6. Connect the transformer’s power cord to a 120 V
(230V) wall socket. It is preferable to use an
earth-fault breaker as recommended.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
It is not permitted to make new holes in the
plate. Only the existing holes may be used to
secure the plate to the ground.
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