Automatic Litterbox Central

We've had a Simply Clean since we got our current cat last June - about 6 months. The first one developed a really loud scraping noise, I emailed PetSafe and they replaced it - although it took about 3 weeks for the replacement to arrive. I still haven't returned the old one - in fact, I had to nag them for a return label, and they haven't complained.

About a month ago, the new one developed similar noises, so I went to the source of all knowledge, google and found this forum, and Jeffs' excellent teardown/lubrication post. Everything he said is true - I just got done tearing mine down, lubing and rebuilding, and it's now quiet. I think the critical part is the metal rails at the bottom of the conveyor - as the motor drives the moving conveyor down, it pushes under the litter and if litter had caked on these rails, that's a major source of noise. I used sandpaper to get them really clean, and then the silicone spray recommended to lubricate them. Our cat is now about 13 lbs, and used it from day 1 (i.e. the day we brought her back from the shelter) with no problems at all.

One question - any idea how to open the motor connector? I couldn't easily figure out how to release the conveyor motor from its wires. This made my cleaning a little more difficult, but not impossible.

Two important things to take away here - Petsafe support is pretty good and very willing to replace the SC, but they really don't know what causes noise, nor a good cleaning/lubricating guide. And, of course, keep it cleaned and lubed per Jeffs' outline.

Oh, and I write US English (born in NYC, live in CA), but the board only offers British. Although I can read British, even if they spell funny

Adding to my own post - I realize this is somewhat bad form.

2 more things - WD40 is NOT your friend - it causes litter to stick to everything.

There is a movable fence on the side of the conveyor - I assume it should be "down", i.e. in the litter, to make sure clumps ride onto the conveyor, but the instructions don't mention it, and I do get a fairly large litter pile in front of the conveyor with it fully down. Any comments or ideas?

newvalve wrote:We've had a Simply Clean since we got our current cat last June - about 6 months. The first one developed a really loud scraping noise, I emailed PetSafe and they replaced it - although it took about 3 weeks for the replacement to arrive. I still haven't returned the old one - in fact, I had to nag them for a return label, and they haven't complained.

About a month ago, the new one developed similar noises, so I went to the source of all knowledge, google and found this forum, and Jeffs' excellent teardown/lubrication post. Everything he said is true - I just got done tearing mine down, lubing and rebuilding, and it's now quiet. I think the critical part is the metal rails at the bottom of the conveyor - as the motor drives the moving conveyor down, it pushes under the litter and if litter had caked on these rails, that's a major source of noise. I used sandpaper to get them really clean, and then the silicone spray recommended to lubricate them. Our cat is now about 13 lbs, and used it from day 1 (i.e. the day we brought her back from the shelter) with no problems at all.

One question - any idea how to open the motor connector? I couldn't easily figure out how to release the conveyor motor from its wires. This made my cleaning a little more difficult, but not impossible.

Two important things to take away here - Petsafe support is pretty good and very willing to replace the SC, but they really don't know what causes noise, nor a good cleaning/lubricating guide. And, of course, keep it cleaned and lubed per Jeffs' outline.

Oh, and I write US English (born in NYC, live in CA), but the board only offers British. Although I can read British, even if they spell funny

Thanks for your kind words.

The wire connector you are talking about has a compression latch in the raised center. I'll try to text draw it below:

----------Apply force here
-----------------|
-----------------V
--------------_____
wire====[[[[[[|]]]]]]====wire

You have to push down on the raised section to cause it to open the latch in the connector. It takes a little playing around to find the right spot to push, but once you find it, the two sides of the connectors can be pulled apart. To be honest, I got so tired of trying to work the original connectors, I went ahead and replaced them with some easier to remove ones from Radio Shack.

In terms of lubricant to use for between the pan and the base, a dry lubricant works best, like graphite powder (loose powder not spray) or teflon spray. The graphite can be sprinkled on the base in the areas where the big gear circle molded in the bottom of the pan touches the base. This is actually the only area on the pan that rides directly on the base. Most definitely stick to silicon spray or unflavored Pan kitchen spray inside the pan. I definitely stay away from WD40, grease and anything petroleum based as they act as litter magnets and tend to clog the whole thing up.

Can someone direct me to "Jeffs' excellent teardown/lubrication post"? I am considering this box (currently have a LR but need another) but don't know if I am handy enough to do the teardown.
Thanks!

Go to this page, 5th entry down from top:

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1143&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=30

There are several entries in this thread (5 pages total) that make for good reading and provide many good tips for using the SC. In my posting, I highly recommend using dry teflon spray in place of graphite powder that I originally suggested. One of the other forum poster recommended the dry teflon spray, and it works much better than graphite poweder and is considerably cleaner looking.

Thanks Jeff, I will study those pages. I am unfamilar with Dry Teflon Spray but did a search and found Dry Teflon Lubricant --which I assume is the same thing???

It has several different 'generic' monikers. I tend to use Elmer's because I can find it at a local craft store. Finish Line also makes a version that can be found at some auto shops as well. There's also versions that can be found in the marine supply retail stores and bicycle shops as well.