Problem with cat flap, cats can't get in, swapped batteries, any ideas?

[ericmark]

The PetSafe ® Microchip Cat Flap does not seem to be letting our cats in. Swapped batteries, just in case, the green light is activating, but not for long, and the cats sit there bagging on it trying to get in.

As a temp measure, put sellotape to hold the catches open, there is an electronic option, but I would think this will cause the battery to discharge quickly.

any ideas, even how to test, cats don't like being held in the tunnel.

 

[Wayners]

alkaline batteries used not those naff zinc carbon?

 

[ericmark]

I had thought Ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) was an alkaline, but it seems it is a salt, the Leclanché cell and Manganese dioxide (MnO₂) it seems also not alkaline. Anyway, using Duracell Optimun which it says has 200% more than the next best Duracell alkaline AA cell, expiratory date 03/34.
Not put a meter on the batteries, but no red lights, so should be OK.

I was just wondering if there were any known faults with the technology? My daughter has a different make, Sureflap, and seems she has to reprogram each time she changes the batteries. At least I don't need to do that.

 

[Wayners]

You've done a reset and erase tags. Then pair up again.
I guess you test by holding tag to trigger flap.
Never messed with one myself although had many a frustrated time setting things up

 

[ericmark]

My problem is, in coming days I have 6 cats to look after, daughter going on holiday with my wife. So just holding catches down with sellotape, at least until they return.

The microchip is in the cat, not something which can be removed to test it, and holding the cat in the tunnel, while pressing the button on the other side of the door, not easy for one person.

 

[Taylortwocities]

I’ve lost the plot. Every time I look at the thread title I see flat cap, not cat flap!!

 

[Wayners]

Looking at the how to on YouTube you don't need to hold the cat. You have 60 seconds to get the cat to eat a treat placed inside and that programs flap.
Looks easy enough although I've never tried.

 

[ericmark]

There is quite a tube on the cat flap, I assume the detector is inside the tube, as it says do not cut it to length, when I fitted it, I set it up for cats first.

That was easy, but to program in place not easy.

Two bits of sellotape now hold the catches down, so any cat can get in. We only have one cat that visits, and he's OK really, so not too worried, will wait until daughter's cats have gone home, before trying again.