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Robot Features

What specifically is involved in the Robo-Pong® set up?

To setup or take down the robot:

- Set the robot on top of the table. Fold down the robot's "wings" (ball return trays). Fold down the front support mechanism.

- Pick up the robot and slide it onto the end of the table. The robot secures itself by its own weight (about 20 pounds). This is similar to the way child seats attach to restaurant tables. There are no clamps or other such attachment devices to fool with.

- Attach the robot's side nets to your table net (it helps to have a sturdy table net with a cord for adjusting net tension sewn at its top) by capturing the table net between the side net's velcro fasteners.

- Plug in the transformer to a wall outlet and then into the bottom of the control box. Plug in the Connector Cable to the bottom of the control box and then plug it into the robot.

- Turn on the robot and you're ready to go.

Troubleshooting/Repair

I hear a humming while my 3050XL is plugged-in.

Once your Robo-Pong 3050XL is plugged-in on you may hear a slight humming from the robot. This is normal during operation and will not affect the operation of your Robo-Pong 3050XL. It is always adviseable to unplug your Robo-Pong 3050XL when not in use.

OTHER PRODUCTS

Can I set different point values for each of the Pong-Master® sensors?

Yes, you can set varying point levels for the Pong-Master's targets. Each target can be assigned one, two or three points for each strike. You may plug in one to six targets at one time. Each point level has two pins for attaching a target. At maximum capacity, you would have two one-point targets, two two-point targets, and two three-point targets. Three targets (small, medium, large) come standard with Pong-Master. You can buy additional targets.

General Questions

Is the owner's handbook a book with playing lessons demonstrated on the Robo-Pong® or is it the manual that has the lessons?

The Owner's Manual does not contain lessons. It contains information on set-up, take-down, adjustments, maintenance, troubleshooting, warranty, assembly/disassembly, and parts list. The Robo-Pong Player's Instructional Manual does contain lessons. It is $14.95 and covers a wide range of strokes, serves, footwork, workout programs, etc.

INTERNATIONAL

I live in Europe and have seen two "different" robots. One is a "Donic Newgy Robo-Pong® 2000" and the other is a "Butterfly". May I assume that both are identical and are being sold under your license?

  • Yes, you are correct. Butterfly licensed our robot for sale in Europe from approximately 1990 to early 1997, selling both the Model 1929 and the Robo-Pong® 2000. Donic is our current European distributor and sells our current Robo-Pong® products.

Troubleshooting

Click on a category to view a list of Troubleshooting tips and steps for that topic.

No Power

  1. There are no adjustments to the robot, so if a faulty or worn part causes the robot to malfunction, replace that part.
  2. If you are not skilled at soldering, you should send in your Control Box for service if soldering is indicated. Control Box parts are small and easily damaged. Improper soldering may void your warranty and service policy.
  3. If you open the Control Box, unscrew only the 4 corner screws. Do not remove the 4 screws in the middle.
  4. The following solutions will apply to all models of Newgy Robots, except if marked with the following
    footnotes: 1 Robo-Pong® 1000 only, 2 Robo-Pong® 2000 only, 9 Model 1929 only.

No robot functions work and Power Switch on Control Box does not light up when turned on.

  1. Make sure transformer is plugged securely into a power outlet. Verify that there is power in the outlet. Also check to be sure transformer input (on top of transformer) matches the electricity type in your area.
  2. Check that the male terminal of the transformer cord is plugged securely into the female Power Jack of the Control Box.
  3. If Control Box has been knocked off the table, a break may have been created on the circuit board. Inspect and re-solder any broken connections. Break is usually where the Power Jack is soldered to the circuit board. See Figure O 1,2.
  4. Verify that wires are properly attached to the bottom of the Power Switch: 1–Red, 2–Brown or White, 3–Black. (Model 1929 robots should be: 1–Black, 2–Red, 3–Brown or White.)
  5. Power Switch is bad. Replace.
  6. Fuse holder mounted to the circuit board is not making good contact with the fuse. If loose, tighten; if defective, replace. See Figure O 1,2.
  7. If A, B, C, D, E, and F check out, the Transformer is probably defective and needs to be replaced.

    Footnotes:1Applies to Robo-Pong® 1000 robots only.
    2Applies to Robo-Pong® 2000 robots only.
    9Applies to Model 1929 robots only.

Ball Feed / Frequency

  1. There are no adjustments to the robot, so if a faulty or worn part causes the robot to malfunction, replace that part.
  2. If you are not skilled at soldering, you should send in your Control Box for service if soldering is indicated. Control Box parts are small and easily damaged. Improper soldering may void your warranty and service policy.
  3. If you open the Control Box, unscrew only the 4 corner screws. Do not remove the 4 screws in the middle.
  4. The following solutions will apply to all models of Newgy Robots, except if marked with the following
    footnotes: 1 Robo-Pong® 1000 only, 2 Robo-Pong® 2000 only, 9 Model 1929 only.

Robot will not pick up balls.

  1. Pong-Master Scoreboard (an optional accessory) is controlling Ball Feed. Turn Scoreboard off.1,2
  2. Ball jam. See Owner's Manual.
  3. Ball Feed Motor is not running. See Owner's Manual.
  4. Ball Feed Motor runs backward. See Owner's Manual.
  5. Ball Feed transfer gears are assembled incorrectly. See Owner's Manual for correct assembly.
  6. Pickup fingers may be broken. See Owner's Manual.

Ball Jams / Frequency

  1. There are no adjustments to the robot, so if a faulty or worn part causes the robot to malfunction, replace that part.
  2. If you are not skilled at soldering, you should send in your Control Box for service if soldering is indicated. Control Box parts are small and easily damaged. Improper soldering may void your warranty and service policy.
  3. If you open the Control Box, unscrew only the 4 corner screws. Do not remove the 4 screws in the middle.
  4. The following solutions will apply to all models of Newgy Robots, except if marked with the following
    footnotes: 1 Robo-Pong® 1000 only, 2 Robo-Pong® 2000 only, 9 Model 1929 only.

Balls jam inside the machine. Ball jams are normally indicated by a humming noise from the Control Box.

  1. Oversize, irregular or out-of-round balls. Check the balls using the ball gauge in the Ball Dams. Discard any balls that do not pass easily through the gauge. Be sure to rotate the ball inside the hole when testing to check all diameters of the ball. Use only approved 1-Star, 2-Star, or 3-Star balls. Avoid any balls that have a rough seam even if they pass the ball gauge test.
  2. Head angle may be too severe. Reduce angle so head is not all the way up or down.
  3. Using new balls. New balls have a tacky finish that tends to create excess friction as the balls move through the robot. As the finish wears down, there is less friction created. To remove the tacky finish quickly, wash the balls in warm soapy water and then dry them off before using. Running the balls through the robot at high speed also helps.
  4. Dented or cracked balls. Anytime balls jam, check to be sure none of them get dented or cracked; otherwise, those balls can cause additional jams. Ball denting may also be caused by build-up of dirt on the Friction Block and/or Ball Discharge Wheel. Periodically inspect these parts and, if necessary, thoroughly clean with Rubber Drive Cleaner and a cloth or an all-purpose, water-based cleaner and an old toothbrush.
  5. Foreign objects or loose parts in the ball feed path. Remove the Front Cover and inspect for any objects that are preventing the Ball Feed Main Gear from turning or from balls sliding up the ball feed channel. Also check inside the robot head. Reattach any loose parts or remove any foreign objects.
  6. If balls are bridging in the area where the right Ball Return Tray meets the Center Trough, take two strips of duct tape and tape across the 90 degree angle on the inside front surface of the Center Trough where the pivoting table mounting mechanismis attached. When the tape is properly positioned, this 90 degree angle is changed to approximately 45 degrees, preventing balls from hanging on that corner and causing a ball bridge to be created.2
  7. If the problem is with a RP1000, request Newgy to send you two free parts to help prevent ball jams inside the 1000's Ball Bucket: (1) Ball Feed Gear Blocking Screw and (2) Ball Feed Stir Spring. These 2 parts are easily installed and greatly reduce the number of ball jams.1
  8. Ball Speed Motor runs backward. See Owner's Manual.
  9. Worn Ball Discharge Spring. Open the robot head and inspect the back surface of the Ball Discharge Spring for wear. Replace if any flat shiny surface is found. This spring should be completely round with no flat spots. See Owner's Manual.
  10. Restricted ball feed channel. Occasionally the walls of the ball feed channel may warp inward enough to keep balls from moving easily upward. Remove the Front Cover and while holding a known good ball (as tested in A above) slide the ball up and down the ball feed channel to verify that it does not hang up. If it does, it is possible to warm the walls with a hair dryer and carefully bend the walls apart at the restricted area to increase the clearance. See Owner's Manual.

Oscillator

  1. There are no adjustments to the robot, so if a faulty or worn part causes the robot to malfunction, replace that part.
  2. If you are not skilled at soldering, you should send in your Control Box for service if soldering is indicated. Control Box parts are small and easily damaged. Improper soldering may void your warranty and service policy.
  3. If you open the Control Box, unscrew only the 4 corner screws. Do not remove the 4 screws in the middle.
  4. The following solutions will apply to all models of Newgy Robots, except if marked with the following
    footnotes: 1 Robo-Pong® 1000 only, 2 Robo-Pong® 2000 only, 9 Model 1929 only.

Oscillator motor runs, but head does not move side to side.

  1. Check to be sure Control Levers are in a position other than 1,6. Reposition, if necessary. (all models except 1050 and 2050)
  2. A gear post, lever, or the Control Lever Adapter has broken. Replace. (all models except 1050 and 2050) See Owner's Manual.
  3. Oscillator has not been assembled correctly. Be sure top pin of Pivot Guide is positioned correctly inside the hole at the bottom of the Oscillator Motor Cover and bottom pin of Pivot Guide is in the corresponding hole of the Ball Feed Upper Guide. (all models except 1050 and 2050) See Owner's Manual.

Oscillator operates, but oscillator control levers jump out of place while oscillator runs.

  1. Control Levers are bent or cracked. Levers can sometimes be carefully bent back into shape when softened by heating. Otherwise, replace. (all models except 1050 and 2050) See Owner's Manual.

Oscillator operates, but motion is jerky and/or straining noises are heard.

  1. Oscillator Motor Cover is pressing down on the Control Levers, restricting their movement. Remove cover and file or scrape away a little of the bottom edge of the cover that is directly above the levers. (all models except 1050 and 2050)
  2. Rough mold parting seams on the top and/or bottom of Oscillator Pivot Guide. Smooth seams with a file or sharp knife. (all models except 1050 and 2050)

Robot does not deliver the ball all the way to either the left or right corner of the table when spin is set to straight topspin or backspin and control levers are set to positions 3 & 4.

  1. See Owner's Manual.
  2. Make sure fit of Control Lever Adapter to Pivot Guide is very tight. If loose, replace Control Lever Adapter. (all models except 1050 and 2050.) 
  3. Be sure Clear Front Cover is properly snapped into place.1,2 (all models except 1050 and 2050)
  4. Examine plastic pins on top and bottom of Oscillator Pivot Guide. Pins should be straight and exactly perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces. If either pin is crooked, replace Pivot Guide. (all models except 1050 and 2050). 

    Footnotes:1Applies to Robo-Pong® 1000 robots only.
    2Applies to Robo-Pong® 2000 robots only.
    9Applies to Model 1929 robots only.

General Motor

  1. There are no adjustments to the robot, so if a faulty or worn part causes the robot to malfunction, replace that part.
  2. If you are not skilled at soldering, you should send in your Control Box for service if soldering is indicated. Control Box parts are small and easily damaged. Improper soldering may void your warranty and service policy.
  3. If you open the Control Box, unscrew only the 4 corner screws. Do not remove the 4 screws in the middle.
  4. The following solutions will apply to all models of Newgy Robots, except if marked with the following
    footnotes: 1 Robo-Pong® 1000 only, 2 Robo-Pong® 2000 only, 9 Model 1929only.

Ball Speed Motor or Ball Feed Motor runs backward.

  1. The 5 Pin Connector is incorrectly wired or the motor connections are reversed. In either case, switching the wires on the motor will correct the problem. See Owner's Manual.

One or two motors don't run, but the others run normally.

  1. If the problem is either the Ball Feed or Oscillator Motor, check the nylon transfer gears connected to the motor for obstructions. These gears can become clogged with dirt, hair, or fibers. Clean and re-lubricate sparingly with light grease. Replace any gears with worn gear teeth. See Owner's Manual. (all models except 1050 and 2050)
  2. Check the 5 Pin Connector to see if two of the terminals are touching or if a wire is not soldered securely to its terminal. If so, carefully bend the terminals apart to keep them from touching or re-solder the connection. See Owner's Manual.
  3. One or both of the wires to the inoperative motor are broken off or unattached. Reattach.
  4. Be sure wires attached to motor are not touching each other. If wires are touching, bend terminals apart to keep wires from shorting each other out.
  5. One of the wires inside the Connector Cable is broken. Examine the cable by plugging it in, turning on the power, and adjusting the knob(s) controlling the inoperative motor(s) to 10. Then twist, turn, push, and pull a small section at a time trying to get the broken wires inside the cable to make contact with one another. If the inoperative motor suddenly starts running, you have found the break. If break can be found, repair or replace.
  6. Motor is "frozen" (especially likely if robot has not been used for awhile or is stored in a damp environment). Detach all gears connected to the motor. Connect all cords, turn on the power, and turn knob controlling the inoperative motor to 10. Give the brass shaft or gear at the end of the motor a turn with your fingers. If the motor was frozen, motor will start spinning. Lubricate motor with an electrical contact cleaner/lubricant. See Owner's Manual. (all models except 1050 and 2050)
  7. Motor is defective. The motor can be tested by connecting it to a 9 volt battery. (all models excepts 1050 and 2050) Before testing, disconnect the wires attached to that motor and any gears that are connected in sequence to the motor. If the motor does not run from another power source (such as the batteries), it must be replaced. See Owner's Manual.
  8. The voltage regulator and/or the potentiometer inside the Control Box that governs the inoperative motor has gone bad. Replace or send in for repair. See Owner's Manual. (all models excepts 1050 and 2050)
  9. If none of the above solutions work, the problem is likely a short or bad component inside the Control Box. Replace or send in for repair. (all models excepts 1050 and 2050)

A motor runs, but does not change speed when adjustments are made at the Control Box is turned.

  1. If all the motors run at top speed, check to be sure the wires connecting the Potentiometer Circuit Board to the Main Circuit Board inside the Control Box are plugged in securely. Red wire goes to the #1 terminal.1,2 (applies only to 1000, 2000, 540, 1040 and 2040)
  2. See Owner's Manual.

Changing one setting at the Control Box affects a motor other than the intended motor.

  1. Check the 5 Pin Connector to see if any of the wires or terminals touch each other. If so, carefully bend the terminals apart. If there is a solder bridge, cut or melt the bridge between them. See Owner's Manual.
  2. Voltage regulators inside control box are shorting across each other. Be sure insulator pad is preventing shorting via contact with metal bottom of the Control Box. Also check to be sure the Voltage Regulator Bracket is not shorting across the Voltage Regulators. (applies to 1000, 2000, 540, 1040 and 2040)
  3. Wires inside the Connector Cable are broken and shorting across one another. See Owner's Manual.

All motors run slow.

  1. Check to be sure you are using the correct transformer. The correct output voltage should be 12V AC, 1.2 to 1.6 amps (1200 to 1600 mamps).
  2. Bridge Rectifier inside Control Box is bad. Replace.1,2 Please contact customer service.

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