Setting up a Robomow RC306 robotic lawn mower
It isn’t obvious how to setup a new Robomow RC306 (or RC302 or RC304) when you can’t place the charging station according to the instructions. The directions assume you can place the charging station along the path of the perimeter wire. If you have to place the base station elsewhere, such as in your garage, it isn’t at all obvious how to set things up. The user manual focuses exclusively on how to set things up so the mower will automatically leave and return to the charging station.
The solution is straightforward and obvious once you ask Robomow’s customer service department. You’ll probably need a second perimeter switch. In my case I continued to use the one I installed for my old Robomow RM200. Put the power box for the new RC306 near the charging station (in my case that means in the garage). Press the power box on/off button for two seconds to disable automatic operation (section 7.3 on page 36 of the user manual). Press the power box on/off button for ten seconds to disable the error buzzer (section 7.2 on page 36) since you won’t be connecting the perimeter wire to the power box and won’t want to listen to the error buzzer whenever the Robomow isn’t docked.
Last but not least configure and use a “separated zone” for mowing. This can be done using the buttons on the mower but I recommend using the iOS or Android app. Using a separated zone will keep the mower from hunting for the charging station at the end of the mowing cycle. Then simply use the smartphone/tablet app to navigate between the charging station and the lawn or, since the mower isn’t very heavy, just carry it whenever you want to mow the lawn (mostly) unattended. When starting a mowing cycle use the second (“L2”) zone you defined.
P.S., Why did I write this article? I broke my Robomow RM200 when I replaced the batteries. Specifically, I broke the bumper pressed detector when I didn’t exercise enough care in removing the cover over the batteries and electronics. Since it was over five years old I decided to replace the whole unit rather than repair it. Because the RM200 didn’t support automated recharging and scheduled mowings (at least not without spending more money for its optional base station) I simply shuttled it between my garage and front lawn. The RM200 user manual assumes this is how it will be set up. Thus the issue of not having the charging station located along the path of the perimeter wire had not been an issue.