product guide - automatic pet feeder - dog & cat feeders

Just some of the benefits and features of your Perfect Petfeeder

• Peace of mind. You can count on our patented Sure-Feed™

dispensing system to reliably feed your pet when you’re home or away. The all steel gear dispensing mechanism is engineered to never jam or crush your pet’s food.

• Built to last using solid, quality materials. The Perfect Petfeeder

has the weight and feel of craftsmanship you can expect in all our products.

• Programming that couldn’t be easier. Our Easy-Three™ button

programming interface is quick and simple, while giving you complete control of when and how much your pet is fed each day.

• Ideal weight control without the begging and stress of “manual

feeding”. Your pet will associate the Perfect Petfeeder (and not you) with providing their daily meals. Implementing a healthy diet for your pet is now easier than ever.

• Real battery back-up. In the event of a loss of power, the Perfect

Petfeeder will continue to reliably feed your pet for days. • Low food alert, designed to help you maintain a sufficient amount

of food in the unit. • Hypoallergenic sanitary stainless steel bowls eliminate the risk of

skin irritation or allergies that plastic bowls can cause. • Easy to clean. All food contact parts are easily removed from the

unit for cleaning and are dishwasher safe. • Reduces pet’s boredom during their day by enabling you to

schedule smaller meals and snacks more often. • Eliminates pet’s anxiety by providing the consistency of routine

pets crave. They know they will be fed at established meal times whether you’re home or away.

• No bags to keep. The food storage hopper easily holds an

average 8 to 10lb bag of food.

Out of the Box … After removing your Perfect Petfeeder from the box, you will notice that some components are packaged inside of the large stainless steel food storage container called the “hopper”. They are easily removed as follows. With the top part of the hopper removed, you can easily access the components box inside.

Remove hopper – with the lid in the open position, grasp the hopper with both hands. Then, lift it up and out of the housing, place it on a level surface, and remove the protective bag.

Now, remove the top part of the hopper by grasping the rim and pulling it apart from the bottom. This may require some force.

Open lid – a pivoting finger latch is located under the stainless steel cover. Flex the latch with two fingers to release, then pivot the lid up and back.

Note: The lid should remain in the up and open position whenever the hopper is removed from the unit.

Pillar Pet Products, Inc. Innovations for Your Pet’s Best Life

To reassemble the hopper, we recommend you use the following technique.

You may need to slightly flex the front of the hopper in order to join them together, as illustrated at left

Your Perfect Petfeeder comes equipped to feed one or two pets. We recommend you store the components you will not be using in the provided box for possible future use.

You will notice that the lower rim of the top part of the hopper is indented to fit into the bottom. First, place the indented rim of the top into the back edge of the bottom part of the hopper, as shown at left. Then, pivot the front down and push firmly into place.

Two-Bowl and Single Bowl components

The box packaged inside the hopper contains the following components:

Setup Overview This Product Guide was written to be clear, quick, and easy to reference. We made it easy on the eyes by using larger type, and a copious amount of illustrations and white space. This has made the Product Guide a little thick. But rest assured, setup and operation of the Perfect Petfeeder is a snap. Setup Overview - 4 simple steps.

Install battery pack and allow to charge. (10 hours min.)

Clean all food contact parts.

Assemble and fill with dry pet food.

Program using the “Easy-Three” button interface.

Then get ready to experience an evolution in pet feeding.

Motor Module Impeller

Power Cord

Chute

Battery Pack


Dear Caring Pet Owner, Congratulations, and thank you for purchasing the Perfect Petfeeder. You now own the finest pet feeding appliance available. The Perfect Petfeeder and our company were born out of my own family’s commitment to our pets. We know our success is a manifestation of your experience with our products and the value they provide. We are dedicated to the design and development of innovative products that are built to last and that satisfy the needs and desires of contemporary pets and their owners. We offer only those products that we feel are worthy of the resources required to manufacture them, and that you, our customer, feel are worth every penny you paid. Products that help ensure you and your pet have the longest, happiest, healthiest, best life together. I invite you to tell us about your experience with the Perfect Petfeeder. We are a small, young company and would genuinely like to hear your story. After you have used the Perfect Petfeeder for a while, please call or email and tell us what you think, what you like or don’t, any comments or suggestions for improvements, or ideas for other products. We look forward to hearing from you. We can be reached at our toll free number 1-800-488-9192, or you can email us at: svcteam@pil larpet.com Also, feel free to contact me directly at: scottm@pil larpet.com Very best regards, Scott Mcllarky CEO Pillar Pet Products, Inc.

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Product Guide Contents

Safeguards and Precautions Worth Reading 2

Getting Started 1. Setup 4

A. Begin Charging the Battery 5 B. Clean Removable Parts 7 C. Assemble Feeder 8 D. Fill the Hopper 11

2. Initial Programming 12 3. Indicator Light and Maintaining Power 19 4. Synchronizing Two or More Units 21

Later on

5. Adjusting the Program Overview 22 Quick Change 23

View/Change Program 23 Adjust Current Time 24 Meal Chime ON/OFF 24 Suspend Feeding 25

6. Easy Cleaning and Maintenance 26 7. Changing Between Single and 28 Two-Bowl Configurations. 8. Changing and Recycling the Battery Pack 29

More Benefits of Your Perfect Petfeeder

9. Food Low Alert 30 10. Free-Feeding Feature 31 11. Installing the Stabilizing Wall Hooks 32

Additional Information 12. Feeding your Pet Well 34 13. Troubleshooting 37 14. The Perfect Petfeeder Story 40 15. Zero-Landfill Product Recycling Program 41 16. Product Registration and Contact Information 42 17. Warranty Service and Information 43


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Safeguards and Precautions Worth Reading

The Perfect Petfeeder is intended to be a tool to help you provide reliable, consistent, portion controlled nutrition to your pet or pets. It does not take the place of proper affection, care, or supervision of your pet. It is solely the responsibility of the pet owner or owners to ensure that the appliance is operational, is functioning properly, and that it has an adequate amount of food loaded in the hopper at all times. It is not to be used during long periods of absence of the pet owner unless the pet owner has chosen a caregiver to assume the responsibility in their absence. It is the responsibility of the pet owner to ensure daily oversight of their pet(s), the Perfect Petfeeder, and its operation in their home. Pillar Pet Products assumes no responsibility or liability for death or injury to pet(s) resulting from any failure of the appliance to dispense food. 1. Please read all instructions to take advantage of all your appliance has to

offer and to avoid potential problems and injury resulting from improper set-up, use, or operation of the unit.

2. This appliance is to be used only in a single family household to feed dry pet

food to one or two pets as described in this guide. It is NOT to be used outdoors, or for industrial or commercial purposes.

3. Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used near pets or

children. 4. Keep all packaging plastic bags away from pets and children to prevent

suffocation. All packaging is recyclable, but we suggest you retain all packaging, if possible, for future storage or in the event the unit must be returned for service.

5. Place the unit on a stable level surface and in a location of operation where

the unit will not become accidentally unplugged from the wall outlet. 6. Use only with battery pack, power cord, and accessories supplied with the

unit or otherwise indicated in this guide. 7. Make certain that power to the unit is maintained. The unit should always be

plugged into a working electrical outlet and the battery must remain properly installed. Do not plug the unit into an outlet operated by a switch or on a circuit with a GFCI outlet as these could result in the accidental turning off of power to the unit.

First and Foremost

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8. The Perfect Petfeeder is powered by safe, low voltage,

9 VDC power. However, please adhere to the following to avoid any risk of electrical shock.

• Plug power cord into an AC outlet rated at 120

volts and 60 Hz only. • Unplug the unit when cleaning the housing. • Do not operate the unit if the cord is damaged. Replacements are

available from Pillar Pet Products at www.perfectpetfeeder.com. • Do not place the appliance in areas where it may be exposed to

standing water or wet conditions of any kind. • Do not disassemble the appliance. Service must be performed by Pillar

Pet Products or an authorized service provider.

9. To Avoid Battery Explosion or Battery Related Injuries:

• Do NOT burn, disassemble, mutilate, or puncture the battery pack as it contains toxic material that can result in injury and/or explosion.

• Use only rechargeable battery packs supplied by Pillar Pet Products expressly for use with the Perfect Petfeeder Lux Model. Using any other battery pack will damage the appliance and may cause injury and/or fire.

• If storing the appliance for more that 30 days, remove the battery pack from the unit and store in a location where it will not be in contact with other metal or conductive objects.

10. The battery must be disposed of properly. Please recycle the battery pack at

a local recycling center or use our free and easy recycle program detailed on page 29 of this guide.

11. Clean the unit regularly. Failure to clean the unit regularly will result in

unsanitary buildup of oil and food particulate that can become unhealthy for your pet, and can make the unit inoperative. We designed the Perfect Petfeeder to be very easy to clean as detailed on page 26 of this guide.

12. Do not immerse or expose any part of the unit to wet conditions except

those parts listed on page 7 of this guide.

13. Put only dry pet food into the appliance. No other objects should ever be put into the hopper or any of the unit’s openings. Do not use with pet food that contains soft or so-called “semi-moist” pieces, or pieces that are larger than ¾” in diameter.

14. Keep the unit out of direct sunlight. Sunlight or florescent light may cause

the housing to discolor slightly after prolonged exposure.

Please retain these instructions and your original

sales receipt for your records.


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1 . Setup You are probably eager to introduce your pet (or pets) to the Perfect Petfeeder, and begin enjoying the benefits and satisfaction of reliable, consistent pet feeding. We guarantee that once you start, you will never willingly go back to the old way of feeding your pet. If you encounter any difficulty in the setup or operation of your new appliance, please do not hesitate to email us at svcteam@pi l la rpet .com, or call us at 1-800-488-9192. We’ll be happy to help. During initial setup and programming, you can optionally place the unit on any level surface that’s comfortable for you and has access to an electrical outlet. Once setup and programming are complete, you can then move the unit to your chosen location of operation and plug it into a nearby outlet. It’s best to lift and move the appliance with two hands as illustrated below. One hand lifts using the integrated handle below the hinge of the lid, and the other hand should be placed under the housing, below the hopper, to keep the unit in an upright position while carrying.

Note: Do not attempt to lift the unit by the lid latch or by grasping and lifting the hopper.

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A) Begin Charging the Battery We have supplied your Perfect Petfeeder with a quality recyclable battery pack designed exclusively for your appliance. The battery must be charged prior to use by installing the battery pack, plugging the unit in using the supplied power cord, and allowing it to charge for a minimum of 10 hours. To install the battery: Push the door to close. Your battery pack is now installed.

The Battery Compartment is located on the back of the unit housing. Use your index finger to push, then release the compartment door. It will pivot open ready to accept the battery.

Slide the battery pack into the compartment slot in the door. Be sure the silver contacts are up and visible, as shown at right.

Once inserted, if the silver contacts on the battery pack do not appear as illustrated at left, the battery is not installed correctly and the unit will not operate. Reinstall the battery pack correctly.

Note:Silver contacts on battery pack


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Note: We strongly recommend you do not plug the cord into an outlet controlled by a light switch, or one that is on a circuit with a GFCI outlet. Doing so could result in accidental loss of power to the unit. Please see the section “Indicator Light and Maintaining Power” on page 19 for additional important information that will help you insure the reliable operation of your appliance. We have provided a means to secure the cord to the unit as follows: Tip: If a majority of the cord will be wound, the following tip will help. Before you wind the last one or two coils, remove the plug from the socket. Wind the last coil(s) between the plug and the back of the unit as shown at right. Then re-insert the plug into the socket to secure the last coils in place.

Next, take the supplied power cord and push the cylindrical plug end into the socket on the back of the unit, below the battery compartment. Then plug the adapter end into a 120 volt electrical outlet. Your battery pack will now begin charging.

After the cylindrical plug is inserted into the socket, begin by feeding the cord into the vertical channel below and securing it behind the oval tabs on each side of the channel, as shown at right.

Then wind any excess cord length in either direction around the projections, as shown.

Next, feed the cord into a horizontal “exit channel” in the direction of the electrical outlet.

The length of cord between the outlet and the feeder should be relaxed, not taunt or strained.

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The text display screen may now read “SET CURRENT TIME”, or it may be very faint, or too faint to see. Do not worry. As the battery charges, the text will darken to become legible. We recommend that you continue with setup steps B, C, and D, then proceed with programming once the battery has had a minimum of 10 hours to charge.

B) Clean Removable Parts All parts of the Perfect Petfeeder that come in contact with your pet’s food should be cleaned prior to initial use. The following parts, (with the exception of the impeller) are crafted from quality, hypoallergenic, stainless steel and are easily cleaned in the dishwasher or by hand.

• The Hopper (separate top and bottom parts to facilitate cleaning

and handling)

• The Impeller

• The Chute

• All bowls The Motor Module, shown at right, is the heart of the patented dispensing mechanism and is also in contact with the food. However, as the name implies, this device contains a quality steel gear motor and other electronic components. It must not be immersed or exposed to wet conditions. It should be cleaned using a slightly damp soft cloth or sponge, and be dried thoroughly afterward. Motor Module, above, is NOT

immersible

The following parts may be immersed and are dishwasher safe


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C) Assemble the Parts Be sure all parts are clean and dry prior to assembling the unit.

Next, attach the base trim for either the one or two-bowl configuration. If using the two-bowl configuration, first insert the supplied fin shaped piece into the base trim until it clicks securely into place. The fin can not be removed once it is installed.

Begin by lowering the chute into the housing as shown at left.

The U-shaped hook on the chute should engage the

rubber projection, as shown above.

Fin

Fin installed in base trim

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Now place the bowl, or bowls, onto the base trim by first aligning the back of the bowl behind the lower straight edge of the chute, and then pivot the bowl down into place. A magnet in the base trim helps to align the bowl.

Next, place the hopper back into the housing. If you have difficulty joining the top and bottom parts of the hopper, see the inside cover pages at the front of this guide for a helpful tip.

The base trim is designed to easily align and slide onto the stainless steel latch plate projection at the base of the unit. Tilt the unit backwards slightly with one hand while the other slides the base trim all the way onto the latch plate. (If you later decide to change configurations, see page 28)

Base Trims Installed

Single Bowl Installed

Installation is the same for both the one bowl and two-bowl base trims.


Two-Bowls Installed

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The last step is to install the Motor Module inside the hopper. Notice that the Motor Module has a gray thumb latch on the top. When you slide it forward, the gray projection with 4 electrical contacts retracts into the flat area on the back of the Motor Module. They spring back into the original position when the thumb latch is released.

Now, attach the impeller to the Motor Module shaft. Push the impeller all the way onto the shaft, as shown at left. (The impeller can be removed for clean-ing by pulling it off of the shaft with light force)

With the Motor Module in hand, as shown at left, hold it a few inches above the black plastic bracket inside the hopper. Push the back of the Motor Module against the back wall of the hopper. The gray projection will retract into the Motor Module and the thumb latch will slide forward. Slide the Motor Module down into the bracket until the thumb latch springs back to its original position indicating a positive connection.

Above View Inside of Hopper when installing

Motor Module into bracket

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Make sure the thumb latch has retuned to the original position. If it has not, you may manually push it back into place, but do not force it. Try moving it forward and thenback again. If the thumb latch doesnot slide back to the original position,there may be an obstruction or thehopper may need to be better alignedin the housing.

To remove the Motor Module, reach into the hopper and grasp it as before. Slide the thumb latch forward, then lift it up and out of the bracket. The unit is now assembled! D) Fill the Hopper The Perfect Petfeeder is designed to accept and dispense dry pet food only. Pet food with so called “semi-moist” pieces should not be used.

Note: Prior to filling the hopper, be certain that the Motor Module thumb latch is in the correct original position as described above. To fill the hopper, simply open the lid and pour in your pet’s food. Be aware that when filling an empty hopper, the velocity of the food may cause a few pieces to exit the chute. As the food fills the hopper, it will surround the Motor Module inside. At each meal time, the Motor Module will dispense food from the hole in the bottom of the hopper. It then passes through the chute and into your pet’s bowl(s).

l

Motor Module properly installed in hopper


Administrator

Rectangle

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2. Initial Programming

“It was easier to program than my coffee maker!” Satisfied Customer And that was the idea! Many customers have even successfully programmed the unit without the product guide. You’re welcome to try, but you’ll gain a fuller under-standing and appreciation for your new appliance if you follow the steps below. You’ll have the Perfect Petfeeder programmed and reliably feeding your pet in no time. And we’ve also made it quick and easy to adjust the program later on.

Note: We recommend you wait until the battery has had at least 10 hours to charge before programming the unit. First, you should have in mind (or on paper) your desired meal plan. Namely: how many meals (up to six), when, and how much for each. See page 34, “Feeding Your Pet Well”, for some additional information and perspective on pet nutrition. It’s important that you understand that you will not be entering the amounts of food for each meal in terms of cups, ounces, or grams. Instead, you will enter the amount of time the mechanism operates in units called “MEAL AMOUNTS” that correspond to the amount offood you wish to be dispensed. Each meal amount is equal to 0.5 seconds. So, for example, a meal amount of 8 will dispense for 4 seconds. This allows you to very accurately control the portion size of each meal you program. Our patented Sure-Feed™ dispensing system was designed to effectively dispense pet food of all shapes and sizes. The difference is the rate at which they dispense. Smaller round pieces will dispense more rapidly than larger or irregularly shaped pieces. So the “meal amount” number for a ¼ cup of larger size food will be higher than for small size food because the larger food does not dispense as quickly as the small size food. Most dry pet food falls into one of three general sizes. To help you estimate the meal amount you will enter for your particular pet food, the illustration on the following page can be used as a guide. It lists the approximate meal amount number corresponding to ¼ cup of each size food. After initial programming, you can fine-tune the meal amounts by using the “Free-Feed Feature” described on page 31. It allows you to easily test exactly how much of your chosen pet food dispenses for any given meal amount.

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Note: Your appliance was designed to dispense dry pet food appropriate for cats, or small to medium size dogs. Food with pieces larger than about ¾” in diameter is not recommended. Remember, you can program different meal amounts for each meal. Meals can be as little as several pieces, to as much as several cups. So you may want to program the Perfect Petfeeder to dispense small snacks in addition to regular meals, or smaller meals more often. This can be a great way to maintain a healthy diet, and help alleviate boredom or anxiety throughout your pet’s day. To begin programming, place the feeder at a level where you can comfortably see the text display screen and push the Easy-Three programming buttons to the right of the screen. Since the battery is now charged, you can temporarily unplug the unit and place it at a convenient level while programming. Afterwards, plug it in again at your chosen location of operation. Be sure not to open the battery compartment door while the unit is unplugged, otherwise all programming will be lost.

USE THE ACTUAL SIZE CIRCLES ABOVE TO SIZE-UP YOUR PET’S FOOD.


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All programming is easily accomplished using our Easy-Three™ button interface along with the text display. Notice the symbols printed in silver above each button.

The first step of initial programming is to set the unit’s clock to the current time. The text screen should read: SET TIME OF DAY

12:00 AM Press either the UP or DOWN arrows to scroll to the current time.

Note: When entering times, the display will advance in quarter- hour increments when either the UP or DOWN button is held for more than 5 seconds.

The Up button is used to scroll numbers on the text screen forward or to move the blinking arrow cursor on the left-most edge of the text screen up to the Y (for YES) position.

The middle Enter button is used to accept or confirm what is currently shown on the text screen and move to the next step, if any.

The Down button is used to scroll numbers on the text screen backward or to move the blinking arrow cursor on the left-most edge of the text screen down to the N (for NO) position.

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Once you arrive at the current time, press ENTER to proceed to the next screen. NUMBER OF MEALS? - 1 – Press the UP button to advance to the desired number of daily meals, and then press ENTER. You can enter up to 6 meals. Remember – if you decide you want to change something you already entered, you can easily do so after completing the initial programming steps. (Refer to “Adjusting the Program” on page 22) ACTIVATE Y MEAL CHIME? N<

The meal chime is a pleasant bell chime that will ring just prior to each meal if you choose to activate it. You can preview the sound of the chime by pressing the UP button repeatedly. In the beginning, the chime

may be helpful in alerting your pet to their meal schedule. Many of our customers find that their pets quickly “get with the program” and often do not need the chime after several days. It is easily turned off later, if you wish. This is your first YES/NO prompt. All you have to do is move the blinking arrow cursor on the left-most edge of the screen to either the Y (yes) or N (no), and press ENTER. The default position for the blinking cursor is usually by the N. All Perfect Petfeeder programming and program adjustment follows these quick simple steps; either responding to YES/NO questions, or by simply advancing numbers to tailor the program to your pet’s needs. NUMBER OF PETS? - 1 – Next, enter either 1 or 2. Your Perfect Petfeeder is designed to optionally feed two pets provided they eat the same food, in equal amounts, and can comfortably eat side by side. If you enter 2, the program will automatically double the individual meal amount(s) you enter in the following steps, and the two-bowl configuration bowls and base trim will divide your pets’ meals into the two bowls as they are dispensed.

BLINKING ARROW


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After completing step 4 (entering the number of pets), the next screen will read: SAME AMOUNT Y AT EACH MEAL? N< If you want all meals to be the same amount, this gives you a shortcut. If you enter Y, you will be prompted to “ENTER MEAL AMOUNT”, and that amount will then be automatically applied to all the meals you enter. If you select this option, enter the meal amount as described in step 7 below, then press ENTER. Otherwise, leave the blinking cursor by the N and press ENTER so you can enter each meal amount separately. 1st MEAL TIME 12:00 AM Advance the time display to your first desired meal time and press ENTER. (If you selected Y at step 5, then skip to step 8) ENTER MEAL AMOUNT - 01 – Advance the number to your desired meal amount for the first meal time, and then press ENTER. (Remember what we explained previously about “meal amounts. Please refer back to page 12, if needed.) CONFIRM 1st Y< 03 AT 8:00AM N Now, confirm the time and meal amount you have entered. The above example shows a meal amount of 3 will be dispensed at a meal time of 8:00AM. The blinking arrow cursor is next to Y by default. If you’re satisfied with the entries, press ENTER to confirm and save those entries. If either the meal time or meal amount shown is not what you want, then select N and you will be prompted to re-enter the time and meal amount. IMPORTANT: Meals must be programmed consecutively in chronological order from 12:00AM to 11:59PM. Programming meal times out of order will result in inconsistent feeding of your pet.

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Continue programming the subsequent meals. 2nd MEAL TIME 8:00 AM The time entered for the 1st meal will be displayed as the starting point from which to advance to the 2nd meal time. Continue programming this and all subsequent meals as you did in steps 6, 7, & 8. When you have confirmed the last meal entry, the screen will momentarily display “ALL SET”, and then change to show the current time and the next scheduled meal time. We refer to this as “idle mode”.

Note: The program does not adjust for daylight savings time changes. If you live in an area that observes daylight savings, you will need to adjust the unit’s clock if you want the meal schedule to correspond to the time change. But it is not necessary for the operation of the appliance. Adjusting the time is quick and simple as explained on page 24.


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All Done!

Your Perfect Petfeeder is now ready to provide consistent, daily nutrition to your pet. If you haven’t already done so, you can now move the unit to your hosen location of operation. To introduce your pet to the Perfect Petfeeder, you may want to dispense a small amount of food. Simply push and hold the UP button for a second or two and the Perfect Petfeeder will dispense a small amount of food. This is the “Free-Feed” feature described in detail on page 31. Some pets will be wary at first, while others get with the program from day one. On the last page of this guide, we’ve provided a place for you to jot down the meal programming you have entered for future reference. We strongly recommend you read through the rest of this guide, particularly the nextsection, “Indicator Light and Maintaining Power” in order to ensure optimum,reliable operation of your appliance. “Feeding Your Pet Well” on page 34 offerssome additional advice and perspective on the subject of pet nutrition. You arealso welcome to visit the Feeding Your Pet Well area of our web site at:

www.perfectpetfeeder.com/feedingwell

There you can learn how other customers have introduced the Perfect Petfeeder to their pets and tips they’ve learned in the process. We would also very much like to hear from you. Please get in touch and tell us about your pet and your experience with the Perfect Petfeeder. Our contact information is on page 42 of this guide.

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3. Indicator Light and Maintaining Power Indicator Light Once initial programming is complete and the unit is plugged in, the green light above the text screen should illuminate. This light is designed to indicate when the unit is adequately powered and to alert you when there is a loss of power. You should be aware of the following three indicator light conditions. ON: Is what you want to see. It indicates that the unit is plugged in. OFF: If outlet power is removed, the light turns off. If you notice the light is off, immediately check to see if the unit is unplugged or if there is some cause for the loss of outlet power. (see “Maintaining Power” below and on the following page) BLINKING: If the battery pack is severely drained, either because of loss of outlet power for an extended period, or from excessive battery wear, the light will blink and your unit will not operate. If this happens, you must replace the battery immediately. This is not a “replace battery indicator” feature. The battery must be replaced long before it is worn out enough to cause the light to blink. With normal operation, we recommend installation of a new battery every two years. See page 29 for details. Maintaining Power BATTERY BACK-UP We all know that power outages and other accidental power loss conditions can occur. With that in mind, we engineered the Perfect Petfeeder with a real battery back-up feature that enables the appliance to continue to operate normally, reliably dispensing your pet’s meals for a minimum of several days depending on the variables of meal frequency, meal quantities, and battery wear. If a power outage condition occurs, it is important that you become aware of it and restore power as soon as possible to ensure that meals continue to be dispensed, and to prevent excessive draining and possible damage to the battery pack.


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UNDERSTANDING POWER SOURCES It is important that you understand the difference between battery power and outlet power as they relate to the operation of the appliance. There are three possible power conditions you should be aware of as follows.

A. Opening the battery compartment door (to install a new battery, for example) removes battery power from the unit. If battery power is removed but the unit remains plugged into a working outlet:

• programming you have entered will be retained • the text screen will display normally in “idle mode” and, • the green light will stay on

BUT • the unit will not otherwise operate (dispense food) until battery

power is returned. The unit requires that an adequately charged battery pack is installed to dispense food.

B. If the unit is unplugged to move the unit (for cleaning the floor underneath or changing locations, for example) or looses power from the wall outlet, while battery power is maintained (the battery remains installed):

• programming you have entered will be retained • the text screen will display normally in idle mode • the green light will be off and, • the unit will continue to dispense food in “battery back-up mode”

until the battery is drained if outlet power is not restored. Refer to page 19 for more information on the battery back-up feature. Remember, if the battery is ever completely drained, you should replace it as soon as possible.

C. If both battery power and outlet power are removed:

• the feeder will not operate (dispense food) • all programming will be erased • the appliance programming will effectively be “reset” to a “like

new” condition. Once power is restored and the battery sufficiently charged, you will need to program the unit again according to the initial programming instructions beginning on page 12.

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4. Synchronizing Two or More Units If you are feeding two or more pets with multiple units, you may want to synchronize their clocks so meals are dispensed at the same time. This is easily accomplished during either initial programming, or later on. To synchronize during initial programming, simply proceed with step one on page 14 of this guide, SET CURRENT TIME, and advance the time display on each unit to the same time, but do not yet press ENTER. After all units have been set to the same time, press ENTER on all units simultaneously. Their clocks should now be synchronized. The same goes for synchronizing multiple units after initial programming. Refer to “Adjust Current Time” on page 24. Again, set the time display on each unit, then press ENTER on all units simultaneously.


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5. Adjusting the Program Overview We know it’s only a matter of time before you will want or need to adjust your programming. We’ve made it quick and easy to change any part of the previously entered program by using the following program adjustment options.

There are 5 program adjustment options:

1. QUICK CHANGE 2. VIEW/CHANGE PROGRAM 3. ADJUST CURRENT TIME 4. MEAL CHIME ON/OFF 5. SUSPEND FEEDING

You begin by pushing the ENTER button, after which the text display will present the first of the 5 program adjustment options (QUICK CHANGE FEEDING?). Each option has the now familiar Y or N prompt. The blinking cursor is by the N by default for each option, so you can quickly get to the option you want by pressing ENTER repeatedly until the option you want is displayed. When you select an option (again, by moving the blinking cursor to Y and pressing ENTER) you are then presented with the opportunity to make adjustments related to that option. Once you complete the steps for your chosen option, the text screen will display “ALL SET” and then return to idle mode.

Note: Once you begin, if one minute passes without your making any type of entry, the text display will “time-out” and revert back to idle mode, and any adjustments you have made may be lost. Always proceed until the display reads “ALL SET” and returns to idle mode.

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Following is an explanation of each program adjustment option. QUICK CHANGE Y

FEEDING? N< Perhaps one day you notice that your pet is getting a little out of their ideal weight range, either too heavy or too light, and you’d like to adjust their meal amounts to compensate. Our patent pending Quick Change feature provides a convenient shortcut. It enables you to adjust all scheduled meals by the same amount at once instead of having to adjust each separately. After selecting this option, (by moving the arrow to Y and pressing ENTER) the screen will read: CHANGE MEAL AMOUNTS BY +1 The default is “+1”. You can add up to +10 to the meal amounts, or subtract up to -10 from the meal amounts. When you press ENTER, the number displayed will be added to, or subtracted from all scheduled meal amounts even if the meal amounts are not the same.

Note: If you plan to decrease/subtract from the meal amounts, be sure you know the original meal amounts beforehand. If you enter an amount to decrease by, -3 for example, and one or more of your scheduled meal amounts was originally programmed at 3 or less, those meal amounts will then become 0 and no food will be dispensed at those meal times. If that is the case, it is better to change individual meal amounts using the VIEW/CHANGE PROGRAM option below. VIEW/CHANGE Y PROGRAM? N< As the name implies, this option allows you to quickly view the entered meal program and make more detailed adjustments to any or all scheduled meals.


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After selecting this option, the screen will read: CHANGE NUMBER Y

OF MEALS? N< Chose Y if you intend to change the total number of meals. Doing so will then take you through some of the familiar initial programming steps. You can refer to initial programming section of this guide (on page 14), if necessary. If you do not wish to change the number of meals, press ENTER and the text display will read: CHANGE 1st? Y

03 AT 8:00AM N< The first meal amount and meal time you entered will display. Pressing ENTER (selecting N) will take you to the “CHANGE 2nd?” display, and so on through all the meals you previously programmed. If you want to make adjustments to any scheduled meal, select Y when that meal’s information is displayed. You can then make changes to that meal’s time and amount, and confirm, just as you did during initial programming. ADJUST Y CURRENT TIME? N< This option allows you to adjust the current time. Select Y, then scroll the display to the current time and press ENTER. MEAL CHIME Y ON/OFF? N< This option allows you to turn the meal chime on or off. Like initial programming, you can preview the sound of the chime by pressing the UP button repeatedly.

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SUSPEND Y FEEDING? N< This option allows you to stop meals from being dispensed. After selecting this option, the screen will read: PLZ CONFIRM Y

SUSPEND N< To confirm, move the blinking cursor to Y and press ENTER. The unit is now in “suspend mode” and the text display will now continuously read: MEALS SUSPENDED ENTER TO RESUME

Note: The unit will not dispense food while in suspend mode, and you can not access any of the program options until you exit suspend mode. To exit suspend mode, press ENTER twice and the unit will once again become operational and resume dispensing meals according to the programmed meal schedule.


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6. Easy Cleaning and Maintenance Dry pet food inherently leaves a residue of oil and particulates on surfaces that will become unhealthy for your pet if not cleaned regularly. An important benefit of your Perfect Petfeeder is the ease with which you can access and remove the parts that are in contact with the food for periodic cleaning at the sink or in the dishwasher. Refer to page 7 which lists those parts that can be immersed and cleaned in this way. Consider purchasing an extra set of these parts, or extra bowl(s) to streamline the process of cleaning and maintaining the appliance. That way, you will have a clean set ready to install when the other is removed for cleaning. Additional parts are available online at www.perfectpetfeeder.com, or by calling our knowledgeable sales team at 1-800-488-9192. We recommend that the food bowl be cleaned frequently. To remove the bowl, simply lift up on the cast handle at the front. To remove the hopper, motor module, impeller and chute for cleaning, begin by removing the motor module. Simply reach into the hopper and push the gray thumb latch on the top of the Motor Module forward and lift it out of the bracket. You can now remove the impeller for cleaning by pulling it off of the Motor Module shaft with light force. The hopper can now be removed from the housing, followed by the chute. The hopper will fit into the dishwasher and be easier to handle if you separate the two parts. It is likely, however, that there will still be some (or a lot) of food in the hopper when you decide to clean it. Following are two methods for emptying the hopper of its contents without making a mess. Both require that you have access to the thumb latch on the top of the Motor Module. Using your hand, you may be able to move enough of the food away from the thumb latch to slide it forward. If there is too much food over the Motor Module, you can use the Free Feeding feature explained on page 31 of this guide to empty enough of the food so as to expose the thumb latch. Method 1: Open the lid.

Note: The lid should remain in the up or open position whenever the hopper is removed from the unit. Insert one hand into hopper. Slide and hold thumb latch forward, then using the other hand, tilt the hopper forward. Now release the thumb latch and use both hands to lift the hopper out of the housing and set it on a level surface. Next remove the top of the hopper. Then, with one hand on the underside of the hopper to cover the hole (and catch any stray pieces that fall out), you can pour

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the contents into another container and then remove the Motor Module from the hopper. Method 2: Remove the hopper from the housing as described in Method 1. Remove the top of the hopper, also. Place the bottom of the hopper into a container large enough to receive the remaining pet food from the hopper and with an opening that can adequately support it upright. Now steady the hopper with one hand while reaching inside it with the other to retract the thumb latch and lift the motor module out of the hopper. Most of the food will then exit through the hole in the bottom and into the container. With the exception of those parts that are immersible, all other surfaces should be cleaned only with a soft damp cloth or sponge. You may use a mild, non-abrasive, environmentally safe cleaner if needed. Do not use window cleaner or alcohol. We recommend you first test any cleaner on the underside of the unit or other inconspicuous area. Take special care when cleaning the windows in the lid and over the text display so as not to scratch them. Also, when cleaning the Motor Module, be sure that the metal contacts are free of oil, dust, and food particles as they can interrupt the electrical connection and cause the unit to not function. The metal contacts can be cleaned with a slightly damp cotton ball or swab. Once cleaning is complete and all parts are dry, they can be reassembled as described on page 8 of this guide, and the hopper refilled with your pet’s food.

Note: Prior to filling the hopper, be certain that the Motor Module thumb latch is in the correct original position as described on page 11. Other than the regular cleaning described in this guide, and changing the battery every two years, no other maintenance is required.


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7 . Changing Between the Single and Two-Bowl Configurations

Changing between these configurations is simply a matter of changing the bowls and their base trim, as well as making a simple programming change. To remove the base trim, tilt the unit backwards with one hand. With the other hand, use the finger-pull recess located on the front underside of the base trim to pull it forward and off the stainless steel latch plate. If the base trim is resistant to being pulled off, lay the unit on it’s back, and use a finger tip or flat head screw driver to help flex the plastic catch just enough to release the base trim from the stainless steel latch plate as illustrated at right. Install the other base trim and bowls (refer to page 8 and 9, if needed). Next, you will adjust the program so that it dispenses the correct amount of food. Begin by pressing ENTER twice. This should bring you to the “VIEW/CHANGE PROGRAM?” screen. Select Y. At the “CHANGE NUMBER OF MEALS” prompt, select Y (even if you do not want to change the number of meals). You will now be taken through many of the text screens displayed during initial programming. (Refer to page 15, if needed) At the “NUMBER OF PETS?” screen, you will now enter 1 or 2 depending on which new bowl configuration you are implementing. All other programming prompts will display the program you have previously entered, so you can quickly advance through the remaining enter/confirmation steps by pressing ENTER repeatedly until the screen displays “ALL SET” and returns to idle mode.

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8. Changing and Recycling the Battery Pack To change the battery, first make sure that the unit is plugged into a working outlet. Removing the battery when the unit is not plugged in will result in erasure of your program, and the unit will have to be re-programmed once power is restored. (Refer to “Maintaining Power” on page 20 and 21 for more information.) Push and then release the battery compartment door to open. Slide out the old battery and set aside for recycling. Slide the new battery into the compartment with the silver tabs up and visible and push the door to close. Refer to page 5 for proper battery installation.

Note: As with the first battery, the new one should be given time to reach optimum charge. For this reason we suggest you install the new battery after the last scheduled meal of the day so that it can charge overnight.

We strongly recommend that you change the battery pack every two years in order to ensure reliable operation and feeding of your pet. To help in that effort, we’re pleased to offer our complementary battery reminder service. You will have the option to chose this service when you register your product (see page 42 for details) or you can call our customer service team anytime to request it. We will then send you a reminder by your chosen method when it’s time to order a new battery.

Improperly disposed batteries harm our precious environment. Please be certain to either recycle the battery locally, or take advantage of our free and easy battery recycle program. When you order your new battery, we will enclose along with it a prepaid return mailer for you to send us your old battery pack for environmentally safe recycling. NOTE: It is illegal in many jurisdictions to dispose of Ni Cad battery packs improperly.


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9. Food Low Alert In order to help you provide consistent reliable nourishment to your pet, we have equipped the Perfect Petfeeder with a system to help alert you when the food level within the hopper is getting low and should be refilled. You will notice a clear lens on the front of the Motor Module. This lens allows light to pass through to a photo-sensor inside. As you know, the Motor Module is surrounded by the food inside the hopper which inhibits light from reaching the sensor. When the level of the food falls below the level of the lens, the circuitry senses ambient light coming through the window in the lid. It then proceeds to sound a beeping alert every 15 minutes until the lens is again obscured by refilling the hopper. The sensor is very sensitive, but does require a minimum amount of ambient light to activate the alert. In dark or very low light conditions, the alert will not sound. Should the alert sound at a time when you are out of available food, you can place a magazine or similar light-blocking object over the lid window to silence the alarm until you are able to refill the hopper. IMPORTANT: The Low Food Alert should not to be solely relied upon. It is the responsibility of the pet owner or chosen care-giver to visually check the contents of the hopper regularly to ensure there is adequate food available for your pet.

Lens

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10. Free-Feeding Feature With the Free-Feeding Feature, you may dispense food any time by simply pressing and holding the UP button. After a moment the feeder will begin to dispense food and continue as long as you continue to press the button. Note that after you release the button, the Motor Module will reverse for 5 seconds just as it does at the end of a scheduled meal time. We designed this feature for two reasons… 1st To Fine tune meal amounts

As we’ve already mentioned, every type, shape, and size of pet food will dispense at a different rate. This feature allows you to learn exactly how much of your chosen pet food will be dispensed for a given number of meal amounts. Then you can easily adjust the meal amounts accordingly. Refer to page 12 for more information about meal amounts. While pressing and holding the UP button, the screen counts the meal amount as food is dispensed. When you release the button the number remains displayed for a few moments for your reference. You can, for example, press and hold the button to the count of 6, then measure or weigh the food that was dispensed, divide it by 6 and you will then know how much is dispensed per meal amount. 2nd To Lower the food level in the hopper

This feature also allows you to empty enough of the food from the hopper so you can manipulate the thumb latch on the Motor Module and remove it for cleaning as explained on page 26 of this guide. Press and hold the UP button until the food bowl is full, then remove the bowl and pour into a larger container. Replace the bowl in the base trim and repeat until the food level in the hopper has lowered to the point you can comfortably manipulate the thumb latch on the top of the Motor Module.

MEAL AMOUNT- 04 -


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1 1 . Install ing the Stabil izing Wall Hooks Some pets can become very “determined” when put on a diet. With this in mind, we designed the Perfect Petfeeder with several safeguards to prevent them from accessing the food inside the hopper or being able to dislodge food by bumping or jarring the unit. If, however, you have a particularly determined pet, you may wish to implement the specially designed stabilizing wall hooks we have provided. You will find the two hooks stored in the oval recess on the underside of the unit housing. These hooks were designed to be used with commercially available picture hanging adhesive strips. We recommend using a brand designed with a release adhesive so that the hooks can be removed in the future without marring your wall surfaces. You will need one package of 4 Medium size strips (not provided).

Begin by peeling off the liner from the “non-wall” side of each strip (refer to the adhesive strip manufacturer’s instructions) and apply the exposed sticky side to the flat back of each hook, as shown at left. After applying two strips to each hook, you can cut off any excess around the top of the hook if you like.

Next, move the unit away from the wall so you can access the back side. You can unplug the unit if necessary. Peel away the liner covering on the “wall side” of the strips, then slide the hooks into the sockets on the back of the unit as shown.

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Now put a piece of paper that is larger than the base of the unit on the floor about a foot away from the wall. Lift the unit and place it on the paper so that the back bottom edge of the unit rests along the edge of the paper closest tothe wall. The paper allows the unit to slide on the floor. Slide the unit to within several inches from the wall location where you intend to affix the hooks, then slide the unit straight back towards the wall until the backs of the hooks meet the wall and adhere to it at the correct location. Your Perfect Petfeeder should now be nearly topple-proof. The unique design of the hooks allows you to easily move the unit by carefully lifting it straight up and off the hooks. (Refer to proper lifting technique on page 4) You can return it by aligning the hooks with the recesses in the back of the unit and lowering it into place.


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12. Feeding Your Pet Well Common sense tells us, and many studies have shown, that quality pet food in the right quantities can add years – happy healthy years – to your pet’s life. You have undoubtedly chosen a quality pet food and you now have the ideal tool to control the quantity half of the equation. The Perfect Petfeeder provides the benefits of meal schedule consistency and reliable portion control. Following are some points that we feel are worth bringing to your attention and that may offer some perspective in helping you provide optimum nutrition to your pet. In addition to what is printed here, we are always refreshing the “Feeding Your Pet Well” area of our web site with information gathered from professional sources and from caring pet owners like you. We would very much appreciate hearing from you and learning of any additional information, advice, or tips you may want to share with us and other interested pet owners. Log on to www.perfectpet feeder .com/feedingwel l to learn more. Use extreme caution when implementing a diet

We realize that many of our customers have purchased the Perfect Petfeeder in order to help bring their pet’s weight into a more ideal range. The Perfect Petfeeder was, in fact, invented out of just this necessity, and we applaud your commitment to the health and longevity of your furry family member. But please proceed with extreme caution. Any adjustment to your pet’s daily food intake should be done gradually over weeks and months, not days. Adjusting their daily food allowance or routine too quickly can have life threatening consequences, particularly in felines. It is worth taking advantage of the wealth of knowledgeable guidance available from your trusted veterinarian, pet care professionals, and online resources to develop a weight reduction plan specifically for your pet and their particular circumstances. Good plans begin with a small adjustment in daily consumption tied to weight reduction targets that are met before further adjustments are made. Some weight reduction plans may not even involve a reduction of daily food quantity, but instead, involve a change in food type or daily meal frequency and quantities. Observation becomes even more important when implementing a diet to ensure that it isn’t having any adverse health effects. Fortunately, we took this into consideration when designing the Perfect Petfeeder. Making adjustments to the feeding program and meal amounts couldn’t be easier. And because your pet understands that their meals come from the Perfect

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Petfeeder and not you, incessant begging doesn’t become a hindrance to implementing a healthier diet. Keep it simple and relieve the anxiety

Pets thrive on consistency and routine, especially when it comes to their diet. For domestic felines and canines, there is a certain amount of instinctual anxiety connected to their food and diet schedule. This anxiety may not be obvious, but overtime, it can manifest into tension, behavioral, and health problems. For this reason we recommend you keep it simple for both you and your pet by allowing the Perfect Petfeeder to supply all or most of their daily nutrition. Your pet will quickly learn that their meals are consistently provided by the appliance at the established meal times independent of whether you or other family members are present or not. This effectively alleviates any food or routine related anxiety and makes for happier stress free relationships all around. Smaller meals more often

Sound familiar? What is often advised for people, in this case, may also be advisable for the pet members of your family. Experts in the field of animal nutrition suspect that several severe health conditions can be attributed to the mere once or twice a day feeding of domestic pets. The beauty of the Perfect Petfeeder is that you now have the ability to enhance their daily routine with smaller meals more often throughout their day, or small snacks between larger meal amounts. We also believe a more frequent meal schedule helps alleviate boredom, loneliness, and anxiety in pets that must be left alone for long periods of time each day. So take advantage of all that the Perfect Petfeeder has to offer and consider a program of dividing their total daily food amount into more meals throughout the day. Make plenty of water available

Drinking enough clean fresh water is every bit as important as eating the right food. A diet consisting of all or mostly dry pet food requires consumption of more water than a diet of wet food. Making fresh water available at several locations in your pet’s environment, and not only next to the food dish, has proven to increase the amount of water a pet will consume each day. Keep it fresh and keep it cool and your pet should have no problem consuming enough water each day. Choose your care givers well

The Perfect Petfeeder was engineered to be the most reliable automatic pet feeding appliance available. But nothing is “fool proof”. As we have mentioned elsewhere in this guide, the appliance does not take the place of your responsibility to ensure that the unit is working properly and has an adequate amount of food in the hopper. Likewise when you must be away from home for extended periods of time, it’s important that you choose a caregiver that understands and will assume that responsibility in your absence.


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If you or your chosen caregiver ever doubt that the unit is working properly, for example, if your pet begins acting as though they have not eaten on schedule, you can easily check that the unit is working properly by either being present at a scheduled meal time or using the Free Feed Feature (see page 31) to ensure that the Motor Module is working correctly. Also see the troubleshooting section on page 37 of this guide, if you suspect the unit is not operating properly. Remember that your pet’s nutritional needs will change

Once you have a pet food and diet plan implemented, be aware that over time, you will need to adjust their diet to maintain optimum health as they age. Things that may need to be adjusted include:

Timing of meals to help regulate metabolism levels as they become less active.

Pet food brand or type with an ingredient list more appropriate to their stage of life and any health conditions that develop.

Feeding location in order to ease access to their food and to allow you to more frequently observe their eating habits.

Meal portion amounts and total daily amounts will need to be adjusted for the different stages of your pet’s life.

Vitamin or mineral supplementation in addition to their regular food may be recommended.

Be a vigilant observer

Many of the health conditions that affect pets throughout their lives can be effectively treated with the help of a change or correction in diet. It is important that you and your family monitor and proactively act upon any dietary or behavioral changes such as:

A change in water consumption. Gaining or losing weight. Inconsistent eating such as not finishing a meal amount when they

always used to eat it all. An increase in hunger. Changes in the clarity of their eyes. Changes in the texture or sheen of their fur. Sores, hair loss, or other condition that might indicate a developing food

or other allergy. Changes in odor of their fur, breath, urine, or feces. Abrupt change in mood, litter or potty habits, and energy levels (either

less or more). Changes like these are often caused by a medical condition that may not be obvious, and may or may not be related to diet. Always consult with your trusted veterinarian if you observe any abrupt behavioral changes.

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13. Trouble Shooting Should you encounter a problem with the operation of your Perfect Petfeeder, please refer to the following problem descriptions and their possible solutions. This may be the fastest way to resolve the issue and return your unit to normal operation. We also maintain a current troubleshooting list online that may offer additional updates. Log on to www.perfectpetfeeder.com/support. If the problem is not quickly resolved, please do not hesitate to contact us so that we may help you resolve the problem and follow through with service and/or replacement if necessary. Our contact information is on page 42.

1. The unit does not operate, but the green light is on. A. Check to be sure that the unit is not in Suspend Mode. If it is, press ENTER

twice to exit suspend mode. B. Push and hold the UP button for several seconds. If the motor operates, skip

to C, below. If not, then either the motor module is not seated correctly or there is a problem with the battery pack. Proceed with the following.

• Check that the battery pack is installed correctly. Remove, and re-install

the battery. Refer to page 5.

• If the battery is installed correctly, try rubbing the battery’s contacts with a dry paper towel and reinstall.

• If those do not work, remove and then reinstall the motor module from the bracket in the hopper (refer to pages 11 and 26). Be sure to check that the contacts are clean and that the thumb latch returns to the original position after the Motor Module is installed in the hopper.

• If these do not resolve the problem, replace the battery pack.

C. If the motor runs when the UP button is pushed, there is likely a problem

with the meal program. Use the View/Change Program adjustment option described on page 23 to make sure the meal times and amounts are correct. It is possible to inadvertently set some meal amounts to 0 using the Quick Change feature described on page 23. This will result in the unit not operating at those meal times.


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2. The unit does not operate, the green light is off, and the screen displays “SET TIME OF DAY”

This would indicate that at some point the unit lost all power and now must be re-programmed according to the instructions on page 14. Try to ascertain why or how both battery power and outlet power were removed and take action to insure it doesn’t reoccur. Refer to pages 19 & 20.

3. The unit does not operate, the green light is off, and the screen is

blank.

This would indicate a complete loss of outlet power for an extended period of time, or a failed unit. Begin by:

• Making sure the power cord is plugged in to both the unit and a working outlet.

• Check the outlet by plugging another device, such as a lamp, into

the same outlet to test that the outlet is working. If it is not, check the circuit breaker for that outlet.

NOTE: If you find that the unit has been without outlet power to the point that it has become inoperative, then the battery has been drained to the point of being unreliable and must be replaced as soon as possible.

• If the unit is properly connected to outlet power and is still

inoperative, please call our customer support team for service.

4. At meal times the motor operates but no food is dispensed or the food dispenses inconsistently.

Check the following:

• Check for sufficient food in the hopper. • Check for obstructions in the hopper. The unit is designed to

automatically reverse the motor if there is an obstruction that the impeller can not dispense. Empty the hopper so that you can check for any objects that may have inadvertently found their way inside.

• Check to be sure the food is appropriate. Remember that pet food

with “semi-moist” pieces or that are larger than about ¾” in diameter will not dispense evenly and should not be used.

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• If a considerable period of time has passed without cleaning the unit, there may be sufficient buildup of particulate and oil to bog down the dispensing mechanism. If that is the case, clean all parts immediately according to instructions on page 26.

5. The Food Low Alert does not sound when the food is low in the hopper.

The alert is dependant on the presence of sufficient ambient light to trigger the alert as described on page 30. If there is insufficient light, it will not sound. This is why you should visually check the level of remaining food regularly.

6. Following programming the text display is frozen with the “PLEASE

REFILL FEEDER!” message.

This condition results from initial programming without first having filled the hopper with food. Simply push and hold the UP button for several seconds, the motor will turn and the screen will return to normal “idle mode” operation. If the food level is still below the level of the lens on the Motor Module, the Food Low Alert will activate again which is the correct operation. Refer to page 30 for further details.

Should you need additional assistance, either:

• Call our knowledgeable service team at 1-800-488-9192 We are available to answer your questions and offer advice between the of hours of 9AM – 5PM, Pacific Time, Monday – Friday or

• Email us at: svcteam@pi l la rpet .com or

• Visit our support web site where we maintain an updated list of

troubleshooting tips. Log on to: www.perfectperfeeder.com/support


Administrator

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14. The Perfect Petfeeder Story The Perfect Petfeeder was, like most inventions, born of necessity. For the founders of the company, that necessity came in the form of two adopted adult cats.

Meet Maggie and Oscar The good people at the shelter cautioned the founders that Oscar really wanted to be an “only cat”. Well, as you can clearly see by the picture above, that wasn’t a problem. What the people at the shelter didn’t mention was Oscar’s penchant for eating. The founders previous cats had been able to “self–regulate” their eating, so at first they thought nothing of simply leaving down bowls full of food so the cats could eat at will. But when they started finding Oscar asleep, front paws encircling an empty bowl, chin resting on the edge, they thought there might be a problem. But they were busy people, and everybody likes a fat cat. Maggie was no innocent bystander, either. She was gaining weight even faster than Oscar. It wasn’t until Oscar, by then pushing 20 pounds, required a very stressful (and very expensive!) emergency visit to the veterinary clinic that the founders finally resolved to do something about the problem. They loved their cats, after all. They were a family. And the good veterinarian informed them in no uncertain terms: Oscar’s illness was a direct result of his being very overweight. At first the founders tried feeding them strict portions twice a day. But that resulted in constant begging that began to test the limits of their bond. And for Oscar and Maggie, the morning meal was never early enough.

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So the founders searched high and low for some type of automatic feeder. First they tried the kind that has several compartments that you fill with food, and a cover that opens at a pre-set time. It took Oscar all of two days, under Maggie’s supervision, to learn that if he got a claw in just the right spot and applied just enough leverage, the treasure was his. The founders then tried another brand of automatic pet feeder that, once assembled, did, in fact, dispense food when programmed. However, it also dispensed food with the slightest tap or bump to the side. A sort of on demand kitty-jackpot. At their wits end, the founders decided to turn inventor. They cobbled together the very first prototype in their garage and put it into service. It worked like a charm! The cats quickly realized the food was coming from the feeder and not the founders, so the begging stopped. Maggie and Oscar gradually slimmed down to their ideal weight. And their veterinarian even called them a “success story”. Three years later, that original prototype continues to feed Maggie and Oscar. And so the Perfect Petfeeder came to be. And now many, many more caring cat and dog owners are empowered to maintain a healthy, consistent, stress-free diet for their pets, thanks to Maggie and Oscar.

15. Zero-Landfil l Product Recycling

The Perfect Petfeeder was engineered and built to provide you and your pets with many, many years of trouble-free service. But the day will eventually come when its useful life is over, and Pillar Pet Products is committed to participating in environmentally responsible reclamation and recycling of all our products. Our industry leading Zero-Landfill initiative aims to do just what the name implies. Nearly every part of the Perfect Petfeeder can be recycled. There is no reason it should end up as landfill.

But we can only meet that goal with your help. When the time comes that our product is no longer of service to you, simply contact us by phone or email, listed on the following page, and we will arrange for its environmentally responsible disposal at no shipping cost to you. Note that there may be geographic limitations to this program.


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16. Product Registration and Contact Information Registering your Perfect Petfeeder is not required for warranty coverage and service. But we would prefer to stay in touch in order to provide you with any product updates or other important service information. To register your product, please visit our online registration form at: www.perfectpetfeeder.com/register Or call 1-800-488-9192, and we’ll be happy to register your product personally. NOTE: Registration is only available in the United States and Canada. Please retain these instructions and your original sales receipt for your records. Contact Us! As we’ve mentioned, we would love to hear from you. If you have any advice you think would benefit other Perfect Petfeeder owners, ideas to make our product better, or comments of any kind, we would very much appreciate hearing from you. Please feel free to contact us at the following: Phone: 1-800-488-9192 Fax: 1-425-642-8106 Email: svcteam@pi l larpet .com Mail: Pillar Pet Products Customer feedback P.O. Box 246 Fall City, WA 98024 Replacement parts and accessories can be purchased online at www.perfectpetfeeder .com or by calling 1-800-488-9192.

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17. Warranty Service and Information In addition to our 35 day money back guarantee (see our web site for details),Pillar Pet Products is pleased to provide our 3 year, hassle-free, straight to yourdoor, Premium Replacement Warranty. This warranty is made to the originalpurchaser or any succeeding owner of the Perfect Petfeeder within the 50 UnitedStates and Canada. This is a Limited Warranty as described below. The 3 year warranty period begins from the original date of purchase of the appliance from Pillar Pet Products or other authorized retail outlet and covers any defects in materials or workmanship. Naturally, the warranty will not cover the following:

• Problems related to improper cleaning and maintenance, or lack of the same, as described in this guide.

• Damage resulting from unauthorized repairs or any disassembly of the unit performed by unauthorized persons.

• Damage that occurs during shipment. • Replacement parts or repair costs for units operated outside the 50

United States and Canada. • Damage resulting from “acts of God”. • Damage resulting from non-single-family household use, or any use or

actions apart from those described in this guide. • Products that have been altered or modified. • Damage from excessive wear or abuse.

In the event your appliance malfunctions, please contact our customer service team at 1-800-488-9192. We will begin working with you to identify the possible causes of the problem or malfunction, and solutions, if any, prior to initiating replacement. Once we determine what, if any, parts require replacement, we will ask you to provide to us a proof-of-purchase date by mailing, faxing, or emailing us a copy of one of the following:

• The original receipt with date • Copy of purchase confirmation email • The billing statement issued by the credit card company used to

purchase the product • The packing slip for the product if received by express courier • The cancelled check used to purchase the product

Once we have verified warranty coverage, we will ask for your physical address (no P.O. boxes please). We will then arrange to deliver an identical or comparable unit or parts to your door free of charge. And we will also arrange to have the defective parts returned to us. When you receive your replacement, please use the carton and packaging materials that your replacement parts arrived in to pack-up the defective part(s).


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Include inside the carton a sheet of paper with your name and address, along with a copy of your proof-of purchase (listed above). Your replacement unit and/or parts will also be covered by the remainder of the warranty from original date of purchase. Defective units or parts will be replaced with either new or reconditioned parts depending on availability at the time of the warranty service request. In the event that proof-of-purchase date can not be provided, Pillar Pet Products is under no obligation to perform warranty service. If a unit malfunctions after the warranty’s duration, please contact us and we will do our best to help you, and to offer a cost effective solution if repair or replacement is needed This Limited Warranty supersedes any other warranties and is governed by the State of Washington. It gives you specific legal rights. You may have other rights that vary by regional location. Validity Outside of the U.S. and Canada This product is intended for sale in the U.S. and Canada only. If you reside outside the U.S. or Canada, Pillar Pet Products provides this product “as is” without warranty of any kind. Disclaimer of Other Warranties This limited warranty is in lieu of all other express or implied warranties and no person, including agents and employees of Pillar Pet Products, is authorized to give any further representation or warranty or assume any further obligation on behalf of Pillar Pet Products, whether orally or in writing. Some states or regions do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you. Limitation of Liability Pillar Pet Products entire liability with respect to the Perfect Petfeeder shall be limited to the price of the product. In no event shall Pillar Pet Products, its agents or employees, be liable for any direct, indirect, special, consequential or incidental damages arising out of the use of, or inability to use, this product, or arising out of any defect in the product, even if Pillar Pet Products has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states or regions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.

In the following graphics, you can record the meal times and amounts you have programmed for easy reference later on.

REVISED ON DATE

REVISED ON DATE REVISED ON DATE


The Perfect Petfeeder is covered by U.S. Patent No. 6,681,718 and other pending patents. Pillar, Perfect Petfeeder, and For Your Pet’s Best Life are registered trademarks of Pillar Pet Products, Inc. Reg. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Copyright © 2006 Pillar Pet Products, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make any derivative work (such as translation, transformation, or adaptation) without written permission from Pillar Pet Products, Inc. Pillar Pet Products reserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes in content from time to time without obligation on the part of Pillar Pet Products to provide notification of such revision or change. Pillar Pet Products provides this guide without warranty of any kind, either implied or expressed, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Pillar Pet Products may make improvements or changes in the product(s) described in this manual at any time.

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