rain problems

[Graham]

I wonder if you have a fix to a problem I am having with my Pet Porte?

I live in a pretty wet place (especially today) and in wet weather rain drips off the flap and into the "green" slot interfering with the operation of the green solenoid. The solenoid shuts fine, but often sticks shut, and needs a little push to open on an open pulse, leaving our cats our in the rain and with sore heads. I'm guessing either water is getting around the plunger and reducing its freedom to move, possibly due to suction, or the solenoid is getting less current when it's wet.

I've already dismantled the flap and cleaned the mechanism (and given the return spring a little stretch to give the opening mechanism a helping hand), but the problem reoccurred a couple of weeks later. I could stretch the spring a bit more, but it's a fiddly job to get the mechanism off (a clip-off back panel would be a useful new feature!)

I think it would be fine if the solenoid had a bit more poke!

[Graham]

OK, and update for the more technically minded out there (don't even consider doing anything like this unless you are sure you know what you are doing!).

The rain has abated, so I was able to dismantle the PP today. I dried out the solenoid, but it was still having problems latching. Thinking the solenoid may be duff I swapped it with the "red" one on the other side (which I never use) to see if that would fix it. This is quite straigtforward as the crimp pins slide out of the connector. It didn't fix it, so I began to suspect it was a current problem rather than a solenoid problem. Indeed, sticking 12v over either bare solenoid produced a very satisfying and solid clunk open and shut. The next thing was to clean around the H-bridge chip (the 16-pin DIL next to the solenoid connector) which had some, but not much, white efflorescence close to it. This seemed to be the critical action, and restored the solenoid to a solid motion. I don't know whether this removed a tin whisker (or a cat whisker!) but it seems OK now. I considered re-soldering the area, but will leave that until/if it happens again.

Now to find the silicone sealant...

[James]

We certainly would not recommend that action to customers.

If you are having any problems please email james@microchipcatflaps.co.uk including your Pet Porte serial number (can be found on the bottom of the box or under the sensor porch).

If moving the green latch over to the left and drying the Pet Porte gently with a hairdrier does not solve the problem we would probably exchange it for a new one if it is within the 18 month warranty period.

It is essential however that all customers use silicone sealant on the top of the porch to prevent water getting into the circuit board.

[Graham]

Hi James

I got in contact with Pet Porte and they were extremely helpful and informative. They offered to send me a new flap but, as I'm happy with a replacement solenoid for the moment, they have popped one in the post to me. You couldn't ask for a better response.

[James]

I'm pleased you got it quickly sorted out.

I was going to suggest a replacement solenoid rather than a replacement cat flap to keep down costs.

It's good to know that in the rare event anything goes wrong you have support from both the retailer and the manufacturer.