EPOS® Support by Wire for lawn areas with weak satellite signal

The Support by Wire feature is available for the following Automower® NERA models equipped with EPOS®:

• 305E NERA
• 310E NERA
• 405XE NERA
• 410XE NERA
• 320 NERA
• 430X NERA
• 450X NERA

Note: Automower® models with AI vision technology do not support Support by Wire. Instead, they rely on the built-in camera for navigation in areas with weak satellite signal. Read more about AI vision technology.

Before you begin installing the support wire, ensure the following requirements are met:

• Work area boundaries: Complete the EPOS® installation. The support wire can only be used within your existing virtual boundaries. It cannot be used to expand the defined work area. For an installation step-by-step guide, click here.
• Docking point with good satellite signal: The charging station docking point requires good satellite signal. Support by Wire will not compensate for poor satellite signals at the charging station docking point. Learn more about the docking point.
• Latest firmware: Install the latest firmware update on your mower. The Automower® Connect app notifies you when there’s a new firmware available for your mower.
• Maximum wire length: The total loop wire length must not exceed 800 m (2625 ft).

Step 1: Ensure that you have everything you need

You will need the following items to install the support wire:

• Automower® Installation kit, which includes:

• Loop wire: Used as boundary wire.
• Staples: To secure the wire to the ground.
• Couplers: To connect the wires.
• Connectors: To connect the wires to the charging station.

• Tools:
  • A mallet: To put the stakes into the ground.
  • Combination pliers: For cutting the boundary wire and pressing the connectors together.
  • Adjustable pliers: For pressing the couplers together.

Step 2: Ensure good satellite signal at the charging station docking point

• The support wire can only be installed after the charging station is in place and your EPOS® installation is complete.
• The support wire does not compensate for poor satellite signal at the charging station docking point. Ensure the charging station docking point has good satellite signal and an unimpeded view of the sky.
• If the station is already secured to the ground, unscrew it to connect the support wires.
• Learn more about the docking point.

Step 3: Lay the wire

Note: In the drawings below, the white dotted line indicates the EPOS® virtual boundary, while the yellow line represents the support wire installation.

• Place the loop wire at least 2 metres (7 feet) outside the problem area. This will ensure that your mower reconnects with the satellite and establishes an accurate position.

• Start and complete the installation behind the charging station.

• Do not lay the support wires under the charging station’s baseplate, as it can disturb the charging station signals.

• Lay the wire in a loop around the problem area and back.

• Leave 50 cm (20 in) extra wire for the connection to the charging station.

• Use Automower® staples to secure the wire to the ground, or bury it making a slit in the ground using a straight spade.
• The distance between staples should be around 75 cm (2.5 ft).

• The maximum loop wire length is 800 m (2625 ft).

Step 4: Connect the wire to the charging station

Use Automower® connectors to connect each end of the wire to the charging station.

• Open the connector and put the wire in the connector.
• Close the connector with a pair of pliers.
• Cut the wire 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) above the connector.

• Open the hatch at the front of the charging station.
• Thread the right cable and connector through the right hole at the back of the charging station tower.
• Push the connector onto the metal pin on the charging station with the mark AR.
• Repeat with the left wire and connector, attaching it to the pin marked AL.

Step 5: Power up and place the mower in the charging station

• Connect the charging station to the power outlet.
• Place the mower in the charging station.

Step 6: Enable EPOS® Support by Wire in the app

• Open the Automower® Connect app and go to: Settings > Accessories > EPOS® Support by Wire > Enable.

Step 7: Check for the solid green charging station LED

• A solid green LED on the charging station means the installation is correct.
• If the LED flashes blue, check that all connectors and couplers are properly installed.

The support wire only works within the boundaries of a virtual installation. The wire can be placed in a part of a work area or in an area where you’ve installed a transport path, but it cannot be used to extend the work area (Image 1) or to create a separate work area outside of the virtual boundaries (Image 2).

Image 1

Image 2

If there are several areas in your lawn where the satellite signal is not optimal, you can connect them in one loop. The maximum loop length is 800 metres/2,625 feet.

Transport paths

If your mower struggles when following a transport path in an area with weak satellite coverage, the support by wire feature can give support to the transport path. For best navigation results, ensure the transport path is as wide as possible.

Stay-out zones

EPOS® stay-out zones are used to prevent the mower from entering sections of the lawn where it is not allowed to mow. In areas with weak satellite signal, the accuracy of these virtual boundaries may be compromised. We therefore strongly recommend to create a boundary wire island around virtual stay-out zones in areas with weak satellite signal.

However, it is important to remember that a boundary wire island alone will not prevent the mower from entering the area. An EPOS® stay-out zone is always required for this purpose.

Mowing patterns

• Systematic mowing: When systematic mowing is selected, if the mower loses the satellite signal in an area of the lawn with EPOS® Support by Wire, it will stop at the boundary wire. It will continue mowing once the satellite signal is recovered.

• Irregular mowing: When irregular mowing is selected, the mower will continue to mow within the area defined by the boundary wire, even if the satellite signal is lost.

If the mower continues to stop in a part of the work area after installing the support wire, or if it cannot leave the loop wire, you may need to extend the wire further into the work area with good satellite signal.

• Cut a new piece of wire, long enough to extend the support wire area as needed.
• Cut the support wire where you want to add the extension.
• Use Automower® Couplers to connect the ends of the new wire and the support wire.
• Push the ends into one of the three holes in the coupler.
• Press the coupler with pliers to seal it.
• Secure the wires and coupler to the ground with a staple.
• For more details on how to use Automower® couplers, read this article.

Note: The total length of the support wire loop should not exceed 800 m (2624 ft).

If the support wire breaks, the mower will continue to work as if EPOS® Support by Wire were disabled. A warning message will appear in the Automower® Connect app, and the charging station light will flash blue.

How to repair a wire break

To repair a wire break, follow our guide: How to repair a wire break in an Automower® installation.