Petsafe YardMax Cordless In-Ground Fence, YardMax PIG00-15958 Product Manual

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Welcome

You and your pet were made for each other. Our aim is to help you have the best companionship and the most memorable moments together. Your new YardMax® Cordless In-Ground Fence™ system is designed to give your pet maximum freedom while keeping him safe.

We know that safe pets make happy owners. Before getting started, please have your utilities marked, and take a moment to read through the important safety information. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Hereinafter Radio Systems Corporation, Radio Systems PetSafe Europe Ltd., Radio Systems Australia Pty Ltd. and any other affiliate or brand of Radio Systems Corporation may be referred to collectively as “We” or “Us.”

Important Safety Information

Explanation of attention words and symbols used in this Product Manual:

This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.

WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION, used with the safety alert symbol, indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or

moderate injury.

CAUTION, used without the safety alert symbol, indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in harm to your pet.

NOTICE is used to address practices not related to personal injury.

Proper fit of the receiver collar is important. A receiver collar worn for too long or made too tight on your pet’s neck may cause skin damage, ranging from redness to pressure ulcers. This condition is commonly known as bed sores.

• Avoid leaving the receiver collar on your pet for more than 12 hours per day.

• When possible reposition the collar on your pet’s neck every 1 to 2 hours.

• Check the fit to prevent excessive pressure; follow the instructions in this Product Manual.

• Regularly recheck the fit to prevent excessive pressure; follow the instructions in this Product Manual.

• You may need to trim the hair in the area of the contact points. Never shave your pet’s neck; this may lead to a rash or infection.

• Never connect a leash to a collar with contact points. It will cause excessive pressure on the contact points.

• When using a separate collar for a leash, do not put pressure on the receiver collar.

• Wash your pet’s neck area and the contact points of the receiver collar weekly with a damp cloth.

• Examine the contact area daily for signs of a rash or a sore.

• If a rash or sore is found, discontinue use of the receiver collar until the skin has healed.

• If the condition persists beyond 48 hours, see your veterinarian.

• For additional information on bed sores and pressure necrosis, please visit our website.

• Proper training of your pet is essential to successfully using the system. During the first 2 weeks of training, do not use the system without direct supervision of your pet.

• The receiver collar should not be on your pet when the system is tested. If it is, your pet may receive an unintended correction.

• Do not change the transmitter setting from Traditional mode (B) to YardMax® mode (A) without verifying that the receiver collar will still contain your pet.

• If the receiver collar fails the ReadyTest® startup, the receiver collar is automatically turned off. Your pet will not be contained.

• Always remove your pet’s receiver collar before performing any fence transmitter testing. This will prevent unintended corrections.

• The boundary width of the system must be tested whenever an adjustment is made to the pet area to prevent unintended corrections to your pet.

• Not for use with aggressive pets. Do not use this product if your pet is prone to aggressive behavior. Aggressive pets can cause severe injury or death to their owners and others. If you are not sure that this product is right for your pet, please talk to your veterinarian or a certified trainer.

• Before you begin installing the boundary wire, turn off the transmitter.

• Underground cables can carry high voltage. Have all underground cables marked before you dig to bury your wire. In most areas this is a free service. Avoid these cables when you dig.

• Do not install, connect or remove your system during a lightning storm. If the storm is close enough for you to hear thunder, it is close enough to create hazardous surges.

• To avoid risk of severe injury, follow all safety instructions for your power tools. Be sure to always wear your safety goggles.

• The battery should be charged in areas with temperatures ranging from 32°F to 113°F / 0°C to 45°C. Recharging the battery outside of this temperature range can cause the battery to overheat, explode or catch fire.

• Wire on top of the ground may be a trip hazard. Be careful when placing wires and testing the system.

• This system is NOT a solid barrier. It is designed to act as a deterrent to remind pets to remain within the established boundary by use of static correction. It is important that you reinforce training with your pet on a regular basis. Since the tolerance level to static correction varies from pet to pet, Radio Systems Corporation CANNOT guarantee that the system will, in all cases, keep a pet within the established boundary. Not all pets can be trained to avoid crossing the boundary! Therefore, if you have reason to believe that your pet may pose a danger to others or harm himself if he is not kept from crossing the boundary, you should NOT rely solely upon this system to confine your pet. Radio Systems Corporation shall NOT be liable for any property damage, economic loss or any consequential damages sustained as a result of any animal crossing the boundary.

• Avoid damage to the insulation of the boundary wire during installation; damage may cause areas of weak signal and lead to early failure of the boundary.

• To conserve your batteries, when unused for long periods of time, remove them.

• You should expect hundreds of recharge cycles from your battery; however, do not charge your receiver collar every night. Charging too often can reduce battery life.

• Charge your receiver collar when the receiver indicator light blinks red.

• When mowing or trimming your grass, use care not to cut the boundary wire.

• To prevent an unintended correction, after the boundary flags have been placed, be sure to set the static correction on the receiver collar back to level 1, which is tone only.

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What’s Covered

How It Works ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6

4 Steps to a Contained Pet ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Insert the Transmitter Batteries ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6

Charge the Collar .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Have Your Utilities Marked ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Choose a Location ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

YardMax

Traditional Mode (B)................................................................................................................................................................................................................................8

Basic Planning Tips................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Prepare the Collar ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................13

Connect the Wires .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................13

Mount the Transmitter (optional) ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................14

Turn on the Transmitter ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Test the Fence Direction ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Test the Collar ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Bury the Boundary Wire ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

Place the Boundary Flags .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................18

Fit the Collar ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 19

Training ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20

Advanced Features ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 22

System Test ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................23

Wire Break Location Test .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................24

Receiver Collar Status Indicators ........................................................................................................................................................................................................25

Transmitter Alarms ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................26

Troubleshooting ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................26

Customer Care International ................................................................................................................................................................................................................28

Terms of Use and Limitation of Liability ...............................................................................................................................................................................................28

Warranty ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................28

Battery Disposal .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................29

Compliance ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................29

Layout Grid .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................30

Mode (A) ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................8

Understand the Transmitter

Power Button

Press and hold the power button down firmly for 5 seconds to turn on the transmitter. To turn off the transmitter, press and hold the power button down for 5 seconds.

Select Button

The select button allows you to edit the 2 transmitter settings. The order of the selection is as follows:

1. Boundary range 2 ft. to 15 ft. (varies by mode)

2. Boundary mode (A) or (B)

To Edit the Transmitter Settings:

1. Press the select button. The boundary range setting will start to flash.

2. Use the up and down buttons to change the range.

3. Press the select button again. The mode setting will start to flash.

4. Use the up or down buttons to choose the mode: (A) – YardMax

Note: Settings can only be edited while they are flashing

Up and Down Buttons

The up and down buttons are used to change the boundary settings. They also mute the alarm.

Bluetooth® Icon

Bluetooth® capability is not yet available, but your transmitter was built with future updates in mind. Check our website for Bluetooth® technology announcements.

Each time the transmitter is powered on, the Bluetooth 3 minutes and then disappear.

or (B) – Traditional

icon will flash for

Power Button

Select

Button

Battery

Level

Alarm

Front Panel

Magnet

Alarm Lights

(flash red

with an issue)

LED Display and Buttons

Boundary Range

Setting

A B

Mute

Attention Required

Inside Panel

Bluetooth

A B

Mode (A) – YardMax

Mode (B) – Traditional

Button

Down

Button

Height or Distance in Feet

Requires

10 D cell batteries,

(not included)

Top Row:

6 Batteries

In the Box

Mounting

Screws

After verifying that the receiver collar is operating correctly at the boundary, fold each label in half around the appropriate boundary wire that connects into the transmitter. One sticker is for the positive wire, and the other is for the negative wire. Labeling the wires is convenient, should they both become disconnected from the unit.

apply to the (+) wire

apply to the (–) wire

– –

Receiver Charger

(6 ft.)

Boundary Wire

Labels

Waterproof Transmitter

You May Also Need

• Additional wire and flags (Part # PIG00-13769)

• Additional wire nuts and gel-filled splice capsules

• Drill with Phillips drill bit

• Small Phillips screwdriver

• Staple gun

For help with setup and training, please visit petsafe.com.

• Scissors

• Lighter

• Pliers

• Spade shovel or lawn edger

• Wire stripping pliers

Receiver Collar with Short Contact Points

Contact

Point Wrench

Long

Contact Points

500 ft. of Boundary Wire

Test Light

Tool

50 Boundary Flags

Gel-ﬁlled

Splice Capsules

Wire Nuts

• Waterproofing compound (e.g. silicone caulk)

• Non-metallic collar and leash

• PVC pipe or water hose

• Circular saw with masonry blade

• Mounting stake

Battery Level Icon

The battery icon displays 3 bars with a full charge. Replace the batteries when the battery icon shows 1 bar or no bars. Typically, battery life lasts 9 to 12 months. If the battery level becomes too low, the lights will flash red once every few seconds, along with a single alarm tone.

Attention Required Icon

The attention required icon will appear if there is an issue with the system. A unique alarm will also initially sound. The most common alarms are for a wire break, wire degradation or if a wire becomes disconnected from the transmitter. Even after the alarm is muted, the attention required icon will continue to display until the problem is resolved.

Muting the Alarm

An alarm tone will sound if an issue with the system is detected. The lights will flash red 1 to 3 times depending on the issue. To mute the alarm, press any button except the power button. This will mute the alarm; however, the lights will continue to flash until the problem is resolved. The mute alarm icon will appear, indicating that you have turned off the alarm.

Refer to the table “Transmitter Alarms” on page 26 for a complete guide to all the status lights and tones for the transmitter.

Front Panel

Magnet

Boundary Wire

Terminal Cover

Mounting

Point

Transmitter Back

Mounting

Point

Boundary Wire

Terminals

Bottom Row:

4 Batteries

Alarm

Speaker

Cover

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How It Works

Bottom Row: 4 Batteries Top Row: 6 Batteries

The YardMax® Cordless In-Ground Fence™ system allows you to safely keep your pet within the boundary you set. The PetSafe® brand has safely used static correction for decades and have helped millions of pets live happier, healthier and more active lives.

The system works by sending a signal through a buried wire (boundary wire). Your pet wears a receiver collar that picks up the signal. It warns your pet with a beep when he enters the warning zone. If your pet continues to venture out, the collar will issue a safe but startling correction, similar to the static you feel if you drag your feet across a carpet and then touch a door handle. Of course, different pets respond to different levels of correction. The collar has 5 levels of correction plus a tone-only setting to accommodate any pet. The only pets that we do not recommend the system for are aggressive pets and pets younger than 6 months of age or under 5 lb. Make sure to go through the training as described on page 20 before leaving your

pet unattended.

Please note that large metal objects and wires can amplify and/or modulate signals in unpredictable ways. Make a plan for how you will work around any large metal objects like sheds, air conditioning units or existing wires. Call your utility company to have your utility lines marked. You can cross utility lines but only at 90° angles (see figure 3A).

Note: If you buy extra wire, the system is expandable up to 1,000 ft.

4 Steps to a Contained Pet

Underground cables can carry high voltage. Have all underground cables marked before you dig to bury your wire. In most areas, this is a free service. Avoid these cables when you dig.

Charge the Collar

Open the rubber cap on the back of the receiver collar and plug the adaptor into your collar to begin charging (2A). The collar light is red while charging and green when fully charged. The first charge will take about 2 or 3 hours. Each charge can last up to 3 months depending on the frequency of use. Only recharge the collar when the indicator light begins to blink red.

Receiver

Charge Jack

1. Plan Your Layout 2. Install Your System

An important thing to note even before you get started, is that you should always remove the receiver collar from your pet while inside or when the system is not in use. Also, never leave it on your pet for more than 12 consecutive hours, and absolutely never attach a leash to it—use a separate collar for that. Excessive pressure and continuous use without breaks could hurt your pet’s skin.

Installation time can vary based on the size of your yard and the layout you choose. Training your pet to understand the system typically takes a couple of weeks. No worries though, we will go through everything you need to know here, and you can always reference our setup videos or give us a call if you have a question.

Quick tip: Using a small trenching or lawn edging tool instead of a shovel, can save you a lot of time when burying your wire. These can be found at your local hardware store.

3. Fit the Collar on Your Pet

4. Train Your Pet

Insert the Transmitter Batteries

1. The transmitter requires 10 D cell batteries. It does not have an AC port.

2. Remove the magnetic cover from the transmitter and set it aside.

3. Remove the 10 screws to the battery door with a Phillips screwdriver.

4. Insert 4 D cell batteries into the bottom row first, in the direction shown (1A).

5. Insert the remaining 6 batteries on the top row. After you insert the first battery on the top row, the unit will temporarily turn on and go through

a startup cycle. All the icons on the LED will flash, the lights will flash and the transmitter will emit a tone. The LED display will then disappear and the transmitter will be off.

6. Reattach the battery door and magnetic cover to the transmitter

We do not recommended turning on the transmitter at this time. We will explain later on pages 13 and 14 how to connect the wires and turn on the transmitter.

Note: Battery life typically lasts 9 to 12 months. Check the battery status monthly. Replace the batteries when the battery icon shows 1 or no bars.

1. 2.

Have Your Utilities Marked

1. Call your utility company to have your utility lines marked. If you have neighbors using an in-ground pet containment system, you will want to ask them where the boundary is located. Place your wire at least 10 ft. away from it.

2. Large metal objects and wires can cause interference in unpredictable ways. Make a plan for how you will work around any large metal objects, like sheds or existing wires. You can cross utility lines at a 90° angle (3A).

Choose a Location

For outside use, the ideal location of the transmitter is along the outer perimeter of your property, ideally mounted to a post or placed under a tree (4A). However, the transmitter can be placed indoors or on the side of your home. There are a few things to consider when choosing a location:

• Place the transmitter in a shaded area to avoid direct sunlight. Extreme temperatures can affect battery life and may cause damage to the batteries, affecting the system operation. The temperatures in the placed location should not fall below -25°F / -32°C, or rise above 130°F / 55°C.

• The transmitter should be at least 3 ft. from large metal objects like an outdoor shed or indoor appliances. These items may interfere with the signal consistency.

• Place the transmitter in a visible location where you will be able to hear any alarms and see the alarm lights if your system detects an issue.

• If you plan to mount the transmitter or decide to place it indoors, keep in mind that the boundary wire that runs from the transmitter out to the main boundary wire must be twisted together. Be sure to leave plenty of extra wire near the transmitter when planning your layout.

• Do not mount the transmitter until the boundary wire is connected to it.

10’

Transmitter

Buried Cable

90°

10’

Boundary Wire

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The system has 2 modes: YardMax® (A) and Traditional (B).

YardMax® Mode (A)

• The warning zone begins directly at the boundary wire, so your pet can maximize yard space.

• The correction area is perceived to be infinite past the boundary wire. If your pet continues beyond the boundary wire, he will be much more inclined to turn and head back.

• This mode is ideal for small yards; it allows your pet to use up to 30% more of the pet area than with Traditional mode (B).

• This mode does not have the ability to create off-limits areas to surround things like gardens or pools unless combined with a Pawz Away® barrier product.

• After 15 seconds of continuous correction, the system will time out. This is to avoid correcting a pet that may be stuck outside his boundaries.

YardMax® Mode (A)

30% More Yard Than Traditional Mode

Transmitter

Static Correction Zone

(Infinite Containment Area)

Boundary Wire

Warning Zone

Pet Area

Basic Planning Tips

• Always plan your layout, position the boundary wire and test the system as outlined in this Product Manual before burying the boundary wire. You do not want to find out after burying the wire that there is a problem with your layout or a loose connection somewhere.

• Layout grids are provided at the back of this Product Manual.

• The boundary wire must start at the fence transmitter and make a continuous loop back to it (5A).

• Always use rounded corners with a 3 ft. minimum radius (5B).

• You can create off-limits areas to protect gardens, pools or landscaping by splicing a twisted section of wire from the main boundary wire—Traditional mode (B) only. This will allow your pet to cross this section without a correction.

• All layouts need to be at least 10 ft. from neighboring in-ground pet containment systems.

• Cross any utility lines at a 90° angle.

• Work carefully; a nick in the wire insulation could create a weak area in the signal field and reduce the life of the wire.

• If you are mounting the transmitter or placing it indoors, then the boundary wire needs to be twisted together before being connected to the transmitter. Be sure to leave plenty of extra wire near the transmitter when planning your layout.

• Ensure there is at least 10 ft. between the boundary wire and any danger zones like roadways.

Transmitter

Traditional Mode (B)

• The warning zone begins before the boundary wire, so yard space is reduced.

• Only this mode has the ability to create off-limits areas to surround area like gardens or pools.

• The correction area is limited and is set by the boundary width, so if your pet bolts through the entire static correction zone, he will no longer be corrected.

• After 15 seconds of continuous correction, the system will time out. This is to avoid correcting a pet that may be stuck within the static correction zone.

Traditional Mode (B)

Boundary Wire

Transmitter

Non-Containment Area

Off-Limits Area

Pet Area

Warning Zone

Static Correction Zone

(Limited Containment Area)

Sample Layouts

Sample layouts are provided to help you visualize your yard.

Single Loop Layout

With a single loop layout, the boundary wire starts at the fence transmitter, and continues all the way around the perimeter of the property and then connects back to the fence transmitter. This forms a boundary zone with a single wire (6A). This is appropriate for YardMax® mode (A) or Traditional mode (B).

Double Loop Layout

With a double loop layout, the boundary wire starts at the fence transmitter, and continues around the property to form a boundary zone in one section of your property (e.g., front yard only). Then the wire makes a U-turn back along the same path and connects back to the fence transmitter. This forms a boundary zone with a double wire (6B). This only works in Traditional mode (B)

5 ft.

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YardMax® Mode (A) Layouts

The YardMax® mode (A) can only be used with a single loop perimeter layout. It cannot be used to create off-limits areas.

Sample 1 (7A) Perimeter Loop

With a perimeter loop, YardMax pet area and roam the entire property freely and safely.

Sample 2 (7B) Perimeter Loop Using Existing Fence

This layout allows you to include your existing fence as part of your layout and keep your pet from jumping out or digging under your existing fence. This layout also greatly reduces the installation time since most of the wire will not need to be buried.

mode (A) allows your pet to maximize the

Transmitter

Sample 5 (8C) Waterfront Property (Double Loop)

Sample 6 (8D) Wire Loop Attached to Existing Fence (Double Loop)

5 ft.

Traditional Mode (B) Layouts

Traditional mode (B) has the ability to create off-limits areas to surround things like gardens or pools (8E), and it can be used with either a single loop or a double loop layout. Sample 1 (7A) and Sample 2 (7B) layouts may be also be used in Traditional mode (B). There should be at least 5 ft. of separation between wires when using a double loop.

Sample 3 (8A) Front Yard or Back Yard Only (Double Loop)

Sample 4 (8B) Front Boundary Only (Double Loop)

5 ft.

Transmitter

Wire

Splices

Off-limits

Area

Off-limits

10 Twists/ft.

Pets Can

Safely Cross

Twisted Wires

Area

Sample 7 (8E) Perimeter Loop with Off-limits Areas (Single Loop)

This layout protects off-limits areas like gardens, pools or landscaping by splicing a twisted section from the main boundary wire. This will allow your pet to cross this section without a correction.

1110

+ 11 hidden pages

Petsafe YardMax Cordless In-Ground Fence, YardMax PIG00-15958 Product Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual