Balls for feeding the robot
Table Tennis Discussion
Last updated 8 years ago
Jeff M Asked 8 years ago
Hi Alois and Jeff,
I would like to start using my TT robot, but the manual says I should put balls into lukewarm water to minimise the chance of it clogging up the robot. Is it necessary? Can I just use a wet cloth to wipe each ball before I put them into the basket for the robot? Will washing the balls affect the performance of the balls afterwards?
Thanks. JeffM
Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago
Hi Jeff,
I think that just wiping them down will be fine. I would say that it is a matter of making sure they are clean.
Others with a robot may be able to add their thoughts.
Thoughts on this question
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Nigel Fewster Posted 8 years ago
Hi, normally you get a set of balls with the robot if you did I would just put them straight in, if you are reusing balls then give them a clean first, it's more about debris that's stuck to them clogging up the wheels. I give the balls in my robot a clean every couple of months use. Just a bucket of warm soapy water then leave the, to dry.
D K Posted 8 years ago
My robot usually clogs when there are too much balls.
I do not understand it.
The robot is said to be able to containg 300 balls.
In fact,I can give only 15-100 balls
Under 15:the robot does not have power to shoot as it uses the other balls as an extension of his shooting mechanism to expel the first ball
Over 100:the robot starts clogging
Nigel Fewster Posted 8 years ago
Jamming could be due to a number of things. I strongly suggest you check the balls you are loading into the robot are round and also you are using hard balls soft balls don't work so well in robots. You can check the roundness of the balls quickly by creating a cut out in a piece of card with the diameter of a std ball give or take .5mm then putting all the balls through it . Obviously discard any balls that don't fit cleanly through.
Jeff M Posted 8 years ago
Thanks guys, I found that I cant have less than 12 balls as it needs balls in the basket to move the balls up the robot to be shot out. I only use DHS 1 star or 3 star balls, so far, it hasn't clogged up.
Nigel Fewster Posted 8 years ago
Jeff which robot have got?
Jeff M Posted 8 years ago
Nigel, I have got the robopong 540
Nigel Fewster Posted 8 years ago
Jeff had a quick look at your robot via google and see it does not come with any balls so I guess what the manufacture is saying if you use pre used balls that could have picked up dirt, hairs and dust then as a precaution give them a clean. Washing TT balls certainly has no adverse effects on them that I have encountered.
Steve Billmire Posted 8 years ago
Jeff,
It is recommend that you clean any new balls you buy. Because they have a slight powder on them that can get on the robots launch wheels. You can either wipe them with a wet cloth or (if you buy in bulk) fill your kitchen sink with warm water. Put them in the warm water and swirl them around, then wipe them off and let them dry on a towel. Or find a small basket and put the towel in it and put the balls in there. Putting them in the basket will help you when you need to use them.
Good luck and let us know how your robot works out for you. I have the IPONG Master V300 and use Gambler Bullet Platinum 3* balls in Orange. You can buy these balls for $15.00 US 36 count and they will work perfectly in your robot. I also recommend that you clean the balls before or after you are done practicing, as well as the robots launch wheel/wheels. If I remember right, the Robo-Pong 540 only has one launch wheel. Do you have a ball collection net to go with the robot??? If not I would highly recommend getting one, other wise you will be picking up balls more than practicing.