David Willis

Video for above review

Bryan G

There was absolutely NO way I was going to find the issue in 280 meters of boundary wire so I took a gamble on this device which seemed to be popping up quite a bit in Google At first I thought the device was not functioning properly and I was pulling my hair out, however when I increased the SENS settings it started to really kick in (something to be aware of - ie just because someone in a Youtube video says to set to only 1 or 2 O'clock that does not mean that necessarily suits your situation) However, although I was now getting good readings through the line, the wretched Husqvarna blue flashing loop error light was STILL flashing even though the test pulse was still going through the wire nicely up to where I stopped testing it - and this is where the story gets interesting. My situation turned out to be one of those where a cable locator tracing device is able to send a pulse through the wire, BUT the mower system deems it of insufficient strength to operate the system When I commenced testing I just concentrated on the left side boundary wire (ie the left side that plugs into the dock). Eventually in desperation I tried testing the right side wire and this was the beginning of solving the issue. And it just so happens that the right wire goes into a bit of a no man's land that I had NOT bothered tested in my original testing as this was a NO-traffic or gardening area I knew there was no possible way that the cable could have been damaged by traffic or garden tools But lo and behold, a mere 10 meters away from the dock the testing pulse was very weak however I even pulled up a bit of cable but still a very low signal when touching the probe to the cable My next step was to test a length of new cable above ground in the same position - comparing apples with apples - and the test signal went to MAXIMUM and was producing an ear piercing shriek. At this stage I thought the device must surely be acting up. but I kept testing and retesting that 10 meter section of wire and it was clear that the device just did not like that section of wire So I bit the bullet and started to dig up the wire in that 10 meter section (all my wire is an average on 2 inches deep as it was laid with a cable layer) - fortunately I started within 5 feet of the dock and guess what I found - SIX different spots of SEVERE degradation of the wire from that 5 feet right up to the dock, some of which had turned blue (the cable is black) and several were almost about to fall apart. Naturally I thought WTF is going on as I had never seen this in about 8 areas of the boundary where I had dug up the wire in my early testing and in a section of exposed wire that I had never dig in, just pegged - all of the wire was completely healthy It just so happens that this 5 foot section is right opposite the main bedroom air conditioner and the condensate line runs out under the concrete pathway into the lawn!! This would be very low PH acidy water, which clearly was eating away at the cable and also turning in blue at the worst corrosion spots So I replaced the 5 foot section and whammo the green light!!! Whilst most robotic system owners will be unlikely to face this unique situation that I had, it is imperative that you have a device such as the Noyafa NF-820 and for price it is is a no-brainer!!!! There is no way I would have found this issue without it. Why do I say this? Without the device I would probably have been forced to REWIRE the entire 280 meters as I had no way of knowing where the problem. It is as simple as that. It makes no difference that the problem turned out to be only within a foot section starting from the dock itself. In fact in my case that was the very LAST section I would have checked. In fact, had I done a rewire, I probably would not even have bothered rewiring that section!! So this device was my salvation. Buy one - even if you do not need it right now - because sooner or later you will need it!!! I would like to add, that during the course of my frustrations I rang Robot Lawn Mower and poured out my angst on Jason who listened patiently and attempted to work through things the best he could and gave me some useful information about different cable qualities and also how to test for grounding loss in cable - information which I will tuck away for future reference So a big shout out to you guys at Robot Lawn Mowers for your help in both selling this device (which I received in Gympie the day after ordering it!!!) as well as your pro-active support!! ps photo of one of the degraded portions of wire if it is of any interest