Prepare the FD20 for winter storage
Description of the tasks
A proper winter storage of your FD20 can prolong the life of some critical components.
The main tasks are:
- Charge the batteries and store above 10 degrees
- All batteries, including those of the power bank, should be charged to 100% before storage. You can either use the solar panels of the robot or the auxiliary wall charger
- During the winter charge them every 2 months to prevent full discharge, which will invalidates the warranty on the batteries
- Remove from the robot and store in a dry environment with a minimum temperature of 10C
- Clean the seeding units
- Use gentle compressed air to thoroughly clean the seeding unit paying particular attention to the area where the seed disc is mounted, the seed valves and the light sensors. Use a cloth dampened with lukewarm water for heavy encrustations, taking care not to spill water on electrical components
- Clean the robot from dry soil
- Remove dry soil from the robot by brushing it off or using lukewarm water (do not spill water on electrical components)
- Make sure not to damage plastic casings such that of the seeding unit or the main electrical box
- Inflate the tyres
- Inflate the tyres to 3 bars to prevent them from deforming during the storage time
- Store in a dry and relatively warm place
- While the robot is rugged and can withstand humidity and cold weather, it is advisable to store it in a dry place such a shed
- If the robot is being stored at below 10C temperature, make sure to disconnect the batteries and store them in a warmer place instead
- Release the safery wire
- Either unwind the wire from the safety switches or undo the safety wire from the pulleys, so it lays flat on the ground
- Shut off the main switch