Automatic Litterbox Central

Hello I am from switzerland

i have a problem with my LR.
My LR was not working and all lights was flashing.
I bought a new electric board and replaced it.

But the problem was the same.

then i dismounted the Motor. When i helped the motor a little bit with my fingers, it
turns for a few seconds before it stops again. and then, all three lights flash again.
it must be the motor!

I would like to buy an alternative motor in a hardware store.

Can anybody say my all the technical specifications of the motor?

please help me and excuse my bad english

Sivas -
As far as I've been able to determine, the motor specifications are not posted anywhere online, in the manual or anywhere else. Also, the specifications are not readily visible on the motor itself. (At least, not on my LRI.) Only by removing the motor would it be possible to see if the specs are displayed on a hidden part of the motor. And I don't think anyone wants to dismantle a working machine.

Have you contacted the mfr. yet to see if they will sell you a new motor? They seem to sell all the other parts separately. Their contact info is here: http://www.litter-robot.com/contact-litter-robot.aspx. They do respond promptly to e-mail inquiries.

If you can find a third-party motor that matches the Robot's specs, you will then be faced with attaching mounting hardware in exactly the correct position on the motor. That may or may not be easy, depending on the size and housing of the motor. If the mounting hardware is not attached exactly, the sprocket teeth will not align properly with the globe and you will have just created more problems.

If you cannot, or do not want to purchase a replacement motor from the mfr., another possibility is to have the motor rebuilt. My knowledge of electric motors is limited, but I believe that would entail having it rewound; However, there may be more to it. You might check with shops that specialize in repairing electric motors, and possibly shops that repair automobile alternators. It's a small and simple motor, so perhaps having it rebuilt wouldn't be that expensive.

I live outside Washington, D.C. and there are several dozen shops that advertise repairing electric motors, so there may be a shop near you as well.

Hope that helps. Good luck!
- Jack

Sivas -
An additional note concerning customer support.

I acquired my Litter-Robot from someone else who said the motor was dead and they didn't want the bot any longer. I used e-mail to correspond with the mfr. and they were patient and helpful in assisting me in getting my bot working again. These days there are not many companies that will even speak with the 2nd-hand owner of a product, much less provide assistance in fixing their product. Most would simply tell you to send the product in for an expensive repair, or they would simply tell you to buy a brand new item from them.

The customer support from this company is second to none, so don't hesitate to contact them via e-mail or phone.

My Litter Robot displayed symptoms very similar to what you've described. My machine had been left out on a covered porch and was very wet and smelly when I picked it up. A new circuit board did not resolve the problem. Since I had nothing to lose, I held a hair dryer on the motor for 10 minutes or so - and that brought the bot back to life. Fortunately, the motor has performed flawlessly since then.

My problem was likely caused by a short in the motor due to moisture, but I suppose it could also have been caused by some hardened crud on the motor's drive shaft that was softened by the heat. So, you might want to try the hair dryer trick.

Good Luck!

Unless they've changed the circuit, a short in the motor will always blow a fuse soldered onto the circuit board. I hope they did change this because a little moisture in the motor meant you needed a new board.