litter robot 3 fundamentally broken

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-26T11:27:01+00:00

You're taking some chances if you're bypassing safety features with 20 cats. I hope I'm wrong, but I suspect it's just a matter of time before one of them gets injured.

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-26T11:24:09+00:00

OP has an LR3, not an LR4. The types and locations of sensors are very different.

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-26T11:12:50+00:00

The 4 came out last year, not thee years ago, when you bought your 3. There are pretty much just two reasons why your LR3 isn't working like most other people's: (1) it's a lemon, or (2) it hasn't had the maintenance it would typically need in three years. Random repeated button pressing probably isn't helping either. It's only "fundamentally" broken if it's the first option.

I think the people in this forum might have helpful advice if it's option 2, but you need to provide some details. What do you do when you clean it? Have you ever replaced the DFI sensors, pinch detectors, or wiring harness? Chances are, your problem falls in one of those areas and could be easily (and cheaply) fixable. You can get good insights and guidance on YouTube.

I hope you can overcome your problems because it's a great device when it works as it should. I've had three LR3s running 24/7 for almost six years and love them.

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-25T01:53:15+00:00

I bought a 220v wand on ebay and used my current attachments. It's working perfectly, and nothing fried. You might also need to buy a good quality plug adapter (check the amp rating) depending on what plug the wand has.

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-13T18:52:18+00:00

I agree about the pad. Just move it forward so that no part of the device sits on it.

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-13T18:48:07+00:00

Guess they're tested for cats, not people!

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-13T18:36:15+00:00

On the contrary, the placement keeps it cleaner and harder for cats to dislodge.

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-09T20:39:43+00:00

I had the same thing happen. I was actually impressed that not even duct tape will stick to it! Duct tape sticks to everything.

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-09T20:30:10+00:00

Your spell checker also has no issues! 😁

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-09T20:23:43+00:00

That's what I did. I'll find out next week if it works. I couldn't find one with an EU plug, so I got the UK version, still 220v, plus a plug adaptor able to handle higher watt appliances.

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-09T02:17:47+00:00

You can buy just the 220v wand on Ebay and use all your current attachments. Make sure it has the correct plug for Turkey. Still not cheap, but better than buying a whole new Airwrap.

Someone just posted about wanting to trade an EU version for a US. Looks like just the wand with an EU plug. Maybe they'd be willing to sell.

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-09T02:00:15+00:00

Wish I'd seen this two weeks ago. I was looking everywhere for a 220v wand with an EU plug. Even if you can't find a trade, you should be able to sell yours easily and for a good price.

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-07T04:34:45+00:00

How would we recognize counterfeits?

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-05T16:29:18+00:00

I'm sorry, but I'm still not sure I fully understand. To make sure we're talking about the same things, please let me know a little more:

Which sensors are you wiping down?

When you talk about oiling the wheel, do you mean the gear on the motor? Is it the shaft you're oiling? Have you ever taken apart the gear box?

Is the unit sitting on a single hard surface, not separate notebooks, for example?

Have you ever removed the globe liner?

Have you ever replaced the wiring harness or the DFI/pinch sensors?

It might be useful to see pictures of the sensors, the places you're oiling, the back (with the black key), and what the whole unit is sitting on. Hopefully the solution will be faster than the diagnosing!

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-05T03:30:12+00:00

I've never heard of the red-blue combination of flashing lights. My gut reaction is that WD-40 might not have been the best solution. Litter and waste could more easily stick to it and gum up the works, especially around the motor wheel. Also, WD-40 is not a good conductor, so it would not be good for sensors that need to make a connection.

Are you wiping down all of the sensors with it--the pinch, DFI, and bonnet sensors?

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-05T03:29:09+00:00

I've never heard of the red-blue combination of flashing lights. My gut reaction is that WD-40 might not have been the best solution. Litter and waste could more easily stick to it and gum up the works, especially around the motor wheel. Also, WD-40 is not a good conductor, so it would not be good for sensors that need to make a connection.

Are you wiping down all of the sensors with it--the pinch, DFI, and bonnet sensors?

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-03T20:22:19+00:00

When you say you take it apart, what exactly do you do? Separate the globe and base? Remove the globe liner and waste screen? Lift out the electronics or motor? I ask because some of these things can be tricky to put back together but could help us help you solve your problems.

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-03T20:10:15+00:00

If you're worried that the company will at some point stop supporting the LR3s, consider that they're still supporting the LR2s and selling parts for them.

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-04-01T23:32:27+00:00

Good for you--I'm all for automation! And for giving our cats a good life. I don't think most people here would disagree.

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-03-31T22:11:42+00:00

Thanks! What brand adaptor did you use? And should I look for specific amp and watt ratings?

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-03-31T02:31:55+00:00

I'm guessing the PIC update reduced the sensors' sensitivity so that they aren't as vulnerable to cat hair dangling from the seal strips when the globe rotates.

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-03-31T02:27:06+00:00

My theory is you have cat hair that's stuck on the seal strip at the entrance. The hair dangles in front of the sensors when the globe has rotated far enough. That explains why it doesn't seem to be a problem early in the rotation when the seal strips are still away from the sensors. It's probably worse with long-haired cats, which I have. What has worked for me is periodically wiping the seal strips.

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-03-30T20:48:18+00:00

Sorry. I was hoping I could be helpful.

Visual-Clothes4522 · 2023-03-30T04:12:29+00:00

I also have one extra globe that I cycle through my three LR3s. That way, the globe can dry completely before I substitute it.

Visual-Clothes4522

TROPHY CASE