You may need to make some adjustments to your course set up - there's a bit of trial and error at first until you determine your specific course size and adjust line tension "just right" - But after that it will become second nature.
Follow the suggestions in the the following video - it has suggestions to correct for several issues that might be causing the problem. It might take a few efforts to get everything adjusted correctly.
PLEASE NOTE: Once the drive refuses to work - it will continue to do so even with the line off. Power cycle (unplugged for at least 30 seconds or longer) to get it working without the line before trying again. Also note that the drive will do it's best to keep up with the demands so it may work for 1 or a few play session or it may only work for 20-30 seconds if demands are still too much for it to handle. It will again begin to jerk, etc. In some cases you may also need to press the pairing button after power cycling to get it to work again. See: [Chase Blue Light & Pairing Button](/kb/troubleshoot-original-swiftpaws/chase-blue-light-and-pair-button)
- If the course size is too big for your specific conditions. See: Determine Your Chase! Maximum Course Size
- If the line tension is too tight. See: Adjust Line Tension
- If the "critter" lure gets stuck at the pulleys. See: Help! The critters don't work
- If the line is dragging through the grass or over high points, you can place something under the pulleys to raise them so that the line is moving over the top of the grass or high points and not touching them.
Go over the steps in the following link for short video instructions: Chase getting everything dialed in
As you're making adjustments to your setup - keep in mind that your issue may be due to any one or any combination of issues. It's normal to have to make more than one adjustment, or have to make the adjustment more than one time, this is all just a part of the learning process. To save yourself a lot of time and effort, we recommend:
- Make sure the drive is responding to the controller properly without a line attached
- Set up a small course and get everything dialed in and working properly
- Then, if you want a larger course, gradually tie on more line until you either reach the size course you want (within each system's limits) OR if the drive begins to act up again. Then just go back to the last size that worked optimally and that will be your maximum course. If you make any changes to the course - for example using critter lures instead of the maize flour flags, you may need to make the course smaller to compensate for the additional load.
PLEASE NOTE: as you're making adjustments, any time it begins act up, the drive needs to be power cycled (unplugged for at least 30 seconds) before you try to run again. If after making adjustments, it happens again make further adjustments and the power cycle again before testing the new adjustments - repeat until you can get the drive to successfully run without being overtaxed.
The best way to accomplish this is to make sure the drive will run without the line attached - before attaching the line.
So do the following in this order:
- Follow the recommended adjustments: Shorten the course size; raise the pulleys so the line is not dragging through the grass or over high points on uneven ground; and adjust for the lightest tension possible.
- Start with the LINE OFF the drive & the drive unplugged for at least 30 seconds
- Plug the drive in
- Pair with the app
- Make sure the drive runs smoothly without jerking, etc.
- Unplug the drive
- Attach the line and adjust for correct tension
- Plug in the drive
- Select it in the app
- Play
If it begins to act up again more adjustments need to be made.
Remember the maximum course size Chase can handle is 100 feet - but anything that adds drag to the system may require you to reduce the course size to compensate for it. For example the critters are heavier than the flags that come in a roll - if they get stuck in the pulleys, you will have to make the course smaller to compensate for this extra weight. Gravity, long or thick grass, high spots where the line drags on the ground all contribute to drag.