Grouw 17940 Robot Mower Instruction Manual

June 6, 2024
Grouw

Grouw 17940 Robot Mower Instruction Manual
Grouw 17940 Robot Mower

Introduction

To get the most out of your new robot lawnmower, please read through the accompanying documentation before use. Please also save the documentation in case you need to refer to it at a later date.

Tip

We recommend that you first install the robot lawnmower in your garden and fully charge the robot lawnmower before you start using it. The correct preparations mean there is less risk of problems arising when using the robot lawnmower.

Main components

  1. Control panel
  2. Knob for adjusting cutting height
  3. Robot lawnmower
  4. STOP button (emergency stop)
  5. Main switch
  6. Front wheel
  7. Battery cover
  8. Rear wheel
  9. Carrying handle
  10. Blades and screws
  11. Cutting disc
  12. Rain sensor
  13. Power supply
  14. -16. Assembly parts (shown in the installation manual)
  15. Charging poles
  16. Charging station
  17. Boundary cable (shown in the installation manual)
  18. Connector (shown in the installation manual)

Main components

Control panel

Control panel

a) POWER
Checks that the main switch is in the ON position. Press and hold the POWER button to switch the robot lawnmower on and off.

b) SET WORK TIME/1
Adjust the robot lawnmower’s daily work time to 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 hours. Also serves as number button 1.

c) START/2
Starts the robot lawnmower. Also serves as number button 2.

d) HOME/3
Makes the robot lawnmower return to the charging station. Also serves as number button 3.

e) LOCK/4
Locks the robot lawnmower’s control panel so that the buttons can only be operated again once the PIN code has been entered correctly. Also serves as number button 4.

f) OK
Confirms selections or accepts messages from the robot lawnmower.

g) Battery
Displays the battery’s remaining capacity and the charging process graphically. If the battery looks “empty”, the remaining capacity is below 30%.

h) Errors
Indicates that an error has occurred. See the error message table later in this manual.

i) LEDs for work time and j) LED for on/locked
The 4H-12H LEDs indicate the selected daily work time. The LED above the LOCK/4 button indicates that the robot lawnmower is on/locked.

Use

Starting and stopping the robot lawnmower

  1. Set the main switch (5) to the ON position.

  2. Press and hold the POWER button (a). The on/locked indicator light (j) lights up red and the indicator lights for battery (g) and error (h) flash alternately The robot lawnmower is ready after about 4 seconds.

  3. Enter the four-digit PIN code using the buttons 1-4 (b, c, d, e) and then press the OK button (f) to unlock the control panel. If you have entered the correct PIN code, the indicator light for on/locked will be green. If you have entered an incorrect PIN code, the indicator light for on/locked will be red. Press the OK button and enter the correct PIN code.
    Note! The PIN code is set to 1-2-3-4 at the factory. You can set your own PIN code – see “Changing the PIN code”. If you want to lock the control panel, press the LOCK/4 button (e).

  4. Press the START/2 button (c) and then press the OK button (f). If the battery capacity is in excess of 30%, the battery indicator light (g) will light up green and the robot lawnmower will start to mow the lawn. If the battery capacity is 30% or less, the battery indicator light (g) lights up red and the robot lawnmower automatically returns to the charging station along the boundary cable.

  5. If you press the HOME/3 button (d) and then the OK button (f), the robot lawnmower returns to the charging station, regardless of the battery’s remaining capacity. If it is within the cutting time, it will recharge and run out again. If you press the red STOP button (4), the robot lawnmower stops immediately.

Running to the charging station

It is important that the robot lawnmower runs into the charging station correctly when it needs charging, so there is a specific running pattern.
When the robot lawnmower needs charging, it runs until it registers the boundary cable. It will follow the boundary cable all the way back to the charging station.

Setting the daily work time

  1. Switch the robot lawnmower on as described above so that the on/locked indicator light (j) lights up green.
  2. Press the SET WORK TIME/1 button (b) one or more times to set the daily work time to 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 hours. Press the OK button (f) to confirm the setting.
  3. Press the START/2 button (c) to start the robot lawnmower. The robot lawnmower starts cutting the lawn and continues working for the set number of hours. It starts cutting again each day at the same time as the first time. We recommend that the robot lawnmower is set to start at 9 in the morning, when there is not too much dew on the lawn.
    Recommended daily work time: 300 m2
    lawn: 4 hours
    500 m2 lawn: 6 hours

You can subsequently change the robot lawnmower’s start time so that it starts at a different time than you originally set.
Wait until the time that you want the robot lawnmower to start every day.
Enter the PIN code. Press the SET WORK TIME/1 button (b) and set the daily work time to 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 hours.
Press the OK button (f) to confirm the setting.
Press the START/2 button (c) to start the robot lawnmower.
The robot lawnmower then starts at this time every day and works for the selected number of hours.

Boundary cut

The robot lawnmower is programmed at the factory to automatically run along the boundary cable and cut the grass once a week.
*Depending on software version.

Changing the PIN code

  1. Switch the robot lawnmower on as described above so that the on/locked indicator light (j) lights up green.
  2. Press the LOCK/4 (e) and OK (f) buttons at the same time. The on/locked indicator light flashes green and red.
  3. Enter a new 4-digit PIN code using the 1-4 buttons (b, c, d, e) and then press the OK button. The on/locked indicator light flashes green.
  4. Enter the same PIN code again and press the OK button. The on/locked indicator light lights up green. The PIN code has now been changed.
  5. Keep in mind that the PIN code is an effective antitheft measure! If you forget your PIN code, you cannot unlock the control panel or use the robot lawnmower!

If you forget your PIN code, you must visit www.schou.com and follow the instructions on obtaining a new PIN code. For this, you will need the robot lawnmower’s serial number and the purchase receipt.

Updating the firmware

Note

  • The robot lawnmower must be positioned within its working area once the update is complete.
  • The firmware update must be performed with a fully charged battery.
  • Do not touch the main switch during the firmware update.
  1. Download the firmware update from www.grouw. dk or www.schou.com. You can also read the update instructions there. Copy the firmware update onto an empty USB stick (max. 4 GB, not supplied), which is FAT32 formatted. Double-click on start.bat to extract the firmware files.

  2. Set the main switch (5) to the OFF position. Open the battery cover (7) and remove the battery.

  3. Insert the USB stick into the USB jack as illustrated.

  4. Re-insert the battery and set the main switch (5) to the ON position. Press the POWER (a) and OK (f) buttons at the same time for 5 seconds. All the indicator lights light up green.

  5. Press the LOCK/4 button (e). The firmware update starts. When all five indicator lights for work time (i) are lit, the update is complete. The update typically takes 3-5 minutes. If the update has not started after 1 minute, this is due to incorrect use or because the USB stick is damaged. Try using a different USB stick.

  6. Remove the USB stick and replace the battery cover.

Rain sensor

The robot lawnmower is equipped with a rain sensor so that it can detect when it rains. The robot lawnmower is programmed at the factory to return to the charging station when it is raining sufficiently to activate the rain sensor. There it will fully charge and then wait until the rain sensor is dry before automatically starting to cut the grass. If this start time is outside of the robot lawnmower’s daily work time, it will not start again until the following working day.

Note!
Do not short-circuit the rain sensor!

Note!
The robot lawnmower must return to the charging station and the charging station must be disconnected from the mains during a thunderstorm. Damage caused by lightning strike is not covered by the guarantee.

Error messages and troubleshooting

You can see by the error indicator light (h) what is wrong if the robot lawnmower has stopped.

Indicator light Faults
Lights up red 1) The robot lawnmower has been lifted
  1. The robot lawnmower is stuck
  2. Skirt error
    Flashes red| 4) Boundary cable signal error
    Lights up blue| 5) Battery error
    Flashes blue| 6) Abnormal battery temperature
  3. Charging error
  4. PCB overheating
  5. The robot lawnmower has rolled over
    10)     The robot lawnmower is overloaded
    11)There is an obstruction on the boundary cable

The errors are described below.

1) The robot lawnmower has been lifted
The robot lawnmower will report an error if the lift sensors are continuously activated for 10 seconds.
Press the OK button to re-start the robot lawnmower.
If the error occurs repeatedly, you should check the work area.
Remove any obstacles of over 100 mm, as these may cause the robot lawnmower to roll over.
Use a regular lawnmower to cut grass that is taller than 60 mm.

2) The robot lawnmower is stuck
The robot lawnmower reports an error if the obstacle sensors are activated more than 5 times in one minute.
Press the OK button to re-start the robot lawnmower.
If the error occurs repeatedly, investigate whether the boundary cable is laid out correctly, as the error often occurs in places that are too narrow or too cramped for the robot lawnmower to move forward after changing direction.

Also check whether there are obstacles such as branches, etc. that may be restricting the robot lawnmower’s freedom of movement.

3) Skirt error
There are four magnets in the robot lawnmower’s skirt.
If any metal comes between the magnets and the skirt, the robot lawnmower may report an error. Remove any pieces of metal.
Press the OK button to re-start the robot lawnmower.
4) Boundary cable signal error
The robot lawnmower will rotate a number of times, stop and report an error if it goes outside the work area or if there is an error with the boundary cable.
Check that the robot lawnmower is within the work area and then check the indicator light on the charging station:

Indicator light Indicates
Off The charging station is not plugged in.
Lights up The boundary cable is connected
green (symbol 1) correctly, the robot lawnmower is ready and the battery is

fully charged..
 |
Flashes green (symbol 2+3)| There is a break in the boundary cable.
 | The ends of the boundary cable are connected the wrong way around on the charging station.
 | Correct the error.
Lights up red (symbol 4)| The battery is charging.
Flashes green and red alternately| Maintenance charging of battery (trickle charging).

Note!
If the error indicator light flashes red on the robot lawnmower, there is an error in the boundary cable signal:

  • The boundary cable is too long (over 250 m).
  • The boundary cable is assembled incorrectly, there is moisture in a joint, or an incorrect connector has been used.
  • The boundary cable must NOT be stripped when using the connector provided.
  • You can remove the ends of the boundary cable from the charging station and measure the resistance of the boundary cable using a multimeter. A new boundary cable has a resistance of about 2 Ohm per 100 metres.
    If the boundary cable’s resistance measures more than 8-10 Ohm, the robot lawnmower will display a boundary cable signal error.

Correct the error or replace the boundary cable.

5) Abnormal battery temperature
The robot lawnmower will report an error if the battery temperature during operation is outside the range of 0- 75 °C or during charging is outside the range of 0-45 °C. The robot lawnmower returns to the charging station and lets the battery return to a safe temperature. The risk of this is greatest in summer, when the outside temperature in direct sunlight approaches 35 °C. It may be a good idea to change the start time of the robot lawnmower so that it starts earlier in the day when it is not so hot.

6) Battery error
The robot lawnmower reports an error if the battery is defective. Replace the battery with a new original battery with the same specifications as the defective battery.
If the battery indicator light lights up red instead, the battery simply needs charging. Carry the robot lawnmower to the charging station and manually charge it.

7) Charging error
The robot lawnmower has returned to the charging station but it cannot be charged.
Check that the charging poles are clean and are correctly inserted into the charging socket on the robot lawnmower.
If the battery is flat, you must perform manual charging.

Manual charging

Pull the robot lawnmower out of the charging station. Move the main switch to the OFF position and wait 5 seconds.

Set the main switch to the ON position and push the robot lawnmower into the charging station again. Do NOT switch the robot lawnmower on using the Power button (a)!

If the indicator light on the charging station does not change to red at the first attempt, pull the robot lawnmower out of the charging station and push it back in again. Repeat this until the indicator light turns red. If this does not work after 10-15 times, allow the robot lawnmower to remain in the charging station for an hour before trying again.
When the indicator light on the charging station lights up green, charging is complete and the robot lawnmower is fully charged.
Remember to switch the robot lawnmower on after charging it, unless you intend to put it into winter storage.

8) PCB overheating
The robot lawnmower reports an error if the PCB overheats. The robot lawnmower returns to the charging station and allows the PCB to return to a safe temperature.
The risk of this is greatest in summer, when the outside temperature in direct sunlight approaches 35 °C. It may be a good idea to change the start time of the robot lawnmower so that it starts earlier in the day when it is not so hot.

9) The robot lawnmower has rolled over
If the robot lawnmower rolls over, it stops automatically and reports an error. Reposition the robot lawnmower and press the OK button to start it again. If the error is caused by a steep slope in the work area, change the layout of the boundary cable to avoid the slope. Follow the installation instructions.

10) The robot lawnmower has been overloaded
The robot lawnmower’s motor is protected against overload. If this error occurs, it is probably because the grass is too tall for the robot lawnmower, or the cutting disc and the wheels are clogged with grass clippings, mud, etc. If the grass is too tall, cut it with a regular lawnmower and clean the robot lawnmower. Press the OK button to re-start the robot lawnmower.

11) There is an obstruction on the boundary cable
If an obstruction on or near the boundary cable prevents the robot lawnmower from reaching the charging station, it tries a few times and then stops. Remove the obstruction. Press the OK button to re-start the robot lawnmower.

Other errors and troubleshooting

For some errors, an error code will not be displayed.

12) The robot lawnmower cannot be switched on at the control panel
Check that the main switch (5) is in the ON position. Carry the robot lawnmower to the charging station and leave it to charge.

13) The robot lawnmower cannot reach the charging station
Read the installation instructions and make sure that the charging station is correctly positioned.

14) The robot lawnmower runs in circles along the boundary cable
There is a live cable in the ground near the boundary cable. Move the boundary cable.
If the robot lawnmower has registered the boundary cable more than X times and has moved a few metres away from the most recent registration point, it runs around in a spiral trajectory to improve its coverage of the lawn.

15) The robot lawnmower is very noisy
If the robot lawnmower makes more noise than normal, check the following:

  • Are the blades damaged?
    Change all the blades and screws at the same time.

  • Are the blades blocked?
    Remove any foreign objects (ropes, plastic, tape, etc.) from the blades.

If there is noise from the motors that turn the cutting disc or wheels, the robot lawnmower must be inspected by a professional.

16) The LEDs on the control panel do not light up
Press and hold the POWER button (a) for 3 seconds to switch on the robot lawnmower. If the robot lawnmower does not switch on, you will need to carry the robot lawnmower to the charging station and charge it manually. (See the section “Manual charging”).

Cleaning and maintenance

Caution

  • Always put the main switch in the OFF position before performing any form of cleaning or maintenance on the robot lawnmower.
  • Wear work gloves to avoid cutting yourself on the blades.
  • Make sure that no water penetrates the robot lawnmower. The robot lawnmower must not be rinsed or washed in running water.

The robot lawnmower should be cleaned regularly. Wipe the exterior of the robot lawnmower with a damp cloth.
Clean the robot lawnmower’s charging socket and the charging poles on the charging station with a small brush or similar, and remove any dirt or deposits with a small piece of very fine sand paper.
Adjust the cutting height to the lowest setting and turn the robot lawnmower upside down.
Clean the cutting disc and the blades using a soft brush or a damp cloth with a mild detergent, if necessary.
Check that the cutting disc can rotate freely.
Remove grass clippings, soil and mud from the wheels.
If any of the parts on the robot lawnmower are damaged, worn or defective, they must be replaced with the corresponding original parts.

The blades last for about three months provided that there is no contact with obstacles. Always replace all three blades at the same time so that the cutting disc is in balance.

Use a screwdriver to dismantle the blades and to screw the new ones on.

Check that the blades can move around these screws once they are fitted to the cutting disc.

The robot lawnmower is equipped with a maintenance free lithium-ion battery.

If the robot lawnmower will not be used for a prolonged period, the battery should be charged fully once every three months.

Winter storage

The robot lawnmower, charging station and power supply must be put into winter storage at the end of the season and before the frosty weather arrives. The parts must be stored in a clean, dry and frost-free place.

Clean the robot lawnmower as described above.

Lubricate the blades with a lubricating spray or similar.

Charge the battery manually (see “Manual charging” under point 7) Charging error.

Push the on/off switch to OFF.

The boundary cable can be left in the garden, but its connections should be protected with insulating tape and waterproof grease or similar to prevent corrosion.

Remember to charge the battery manually at least every three months while the robot lawnmower is in storage.

Service centre

Note: Please quote the product model number in connection with all inquiries.
The model number is shown on the front of this manual and on the product rating plate.
For:

About the guarantee

The guarantee will be void:

  • If the robot lawnmower has been used incorrectly, has not been maintained correctly, has been modified, rebuilt or otherwise modified, has been repaired by someone other than an authorised service centre, or has been exposed to thunderstorms.
  • If something other than original SCHOU spare parts and accessories have been used with the robot lawnmower.
  • If the robot lawnmower has been used commercially, including for hire.

The guarantee does not cover:

  • Normal wear or damage caused by foreign bodies, liquids or accidents, or if the robot lawnmower has been washed with running water.
  • Wear parts (e.g. blades, cutting disk, boundary cable, pegs, connector, etc.), even if the robot lawnmower has been used in accordance with the instructions.
  • Incorrect or unauthorised maintenance and handling.
  • Damage and defects due to overload.

Limited guarantee:

The battery is covered by a 12-month guarantee. This only applies to the original battery supplied with the robot lawnmower, or an original battery of the same model number as the original battery. There is also a 12-month guarantee valid for the robot lawnmower’s back-up battery.

Manufactured in P.R.C.

Manufacturer:
Schou Company A/S
Nordager 31
DK-6000 Kolding

All rights reserved. The contents of this user guide may not be reproduced in part or whole in any way, electronically or mechanically (e.g. photocopying or scanning), translated or stored in a database and retrieval system without the prior written consent of Schou Company A/S.

EC Declaration of Conformity

Manufacturer: Schou Company A/S, Nordager 31, 6000 Kolding, Denmark, hereby declares that

ROBOT LAWNMOWER
17940

has been manufactured in accordance with the following standards:
EN 60335-1:2012/A13:2017
EN 50636-2-107/A1:2018
EN 50663:2017
EN 62311:2008
EN 55014-1:2017
EN 55014-2:2015
EN 61000-3-2:2014
EN 61000-3-3:2013
EN 301 489-1 V2.2.3:2019
EN 301 489-3 V2.1.1:2019
Draft EN 301 489-17 V3.2.2:2019
EN 300 328 v2.1.1:2016
EN 303 447 v1.1.1:2017
EN 62479:2010

in accordance with the provisions of the following directives:
2006/42/EC The Machinery Directive
2014/53/EU The Radio Equipment Directive

Kirsten Vibeke Jensen
Product Safety Manager

19.10.2020 – Schou Company A/S, DK-6000 Kolding, Denmark

Environmental information

Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) contains materials, components and substances that may be dangerous and harmful to human health and the environment when waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is not disposed of correctly. Products labelled with the “crossed out wheelie bin symbol” are electrical and electronic equipment. The crossed-out wheeled bin indicates that waste electrical and electronic equipment must not be disposed of with unsorted household waste, but must be collected separately.

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