220/330 - Charging Station

Once the battery is exhausted, the mower tracks the perimeter wire back to the charging station. Here the batteries are re-charged ready for the next mow cycle.#

The charging station is made from 4 large prints bolted together with M3 screws.

The charging pins consist of long M3 bolts with springs to ensure a constant contact to the charge pins on the mower. The charging power supply is connected to the charge pins to provide the charge voltage and amps.

STL Files for Charging Station

Overview of the Docking / Charging Station Setup

Docking Adjustments

If the mower is not aligned correctly when docking (too far to the left or right) and is not driving into the charging station, adjust the alignment of the perimeter wire under the docking station until you get a repeatable docking process.

I use a small rubber mat on the docking station to give the rear wheels extra traction when docking.

Docking / Charge Sensing

How does the mower know its reached the charging station....?

The mower senses the amperage through the charge pins and shuts down the mower. The longer the mower has been running, the more exhausted the battery is and a higher initial amperage is detected.

If you fully charge the battery, drive out of the charging station and then immediately back in again. The amp sensor may not detect the charge amperage because the battery is still fully charged. If you are testing the docking procedure please make sure the battery has been ran down a little before testing.

Charge Pins

The charge pin is a simple bolt with a spring mechanism. The spring ensures constant contact of the charge pin to the charge pad on the mower. You need to make 1 charge pin for the +ve lead and 1 pin for the -ve charge lead.

Ensure the pin can move freely through the hole in the docking station housing. Choose a spring that can be compressed by the weight of the mower and that the spring doesn't "eject" the mower from the docking station when parked.