CatGenie: Refilling A SaniSolution Cartridge

This Instructable will demonstrate the easiest way (that I've found) to refill a CatGenie ("CG" henceforth) SaniSolution Cartridge ("cartridge") with a minimum of time and mess.

Note:
This Instructable does not cover how to RESET a cartridge. This only covers a method to refill an empty one. Admittedly, that makes this Instructable useless by itself, but resetting the chip on a SaniSolution Cartridge is covered in my other Instructable.

Step 1 Disclaimer, Materials and Safety

DISCLAIMER

I am not affiliated or endorsed by CatGenie or PetNovations LTD in any way. CatGenie is a registered trademark of PetNovations LTD.

SAFETY

You will be choosing your own solution to refill the cartridge with, so take all necessary precautions. I recommend gloves and safety glasses if you're the least bit uncertain about getting it in your eye or on your skin. I am using Simple Green", which is fairly inoccuous, but I would still recommend the safety glasses.

Beats losing an eye, right?

MATERIALS

The materials list is very basic:

- An empty CatGenie SaniSolution Cartridge (duh)
- Two cups of the solution of your choice to refill it with (double duh)
- A measuring cup of at least 2 cup (500ml) capacity
- A pair of needle-nosed pliers, hemostats, or some similar grabbing implement
- A small bit of wire, plastic or whatever to use as a spacer (trust me)
- A small kitchen funnel
- A straw; a McStraw if possible

Comments

[admin]

This is a great Instructable, but you need to add a main image of the final project to the intro step. Please do that and leave me a message when you have so that we can publish your work. Thanks!

[Jim Wolfe]

Any one trying D-128 for replacement liquid in their cartridges.?

[mamalang]

 I'm having a problem with my Genie dispensing all the liquid in the refilled cartridge during the first few washes.  Anyone have this problem and come up with a solution?

[b4cans]

(removed by author or community request)

[kfouryou]

have you figured out the dilution?what is the name of the solution your going to use and do you know where it is available

[cmb24]

I measured about 2 gallons of water per wash - 3 washes per clean or 6 gallons (boy thats a lot of water, a toilet only uses 1.6 gal/flush!).
If a sani-cart lasts 60 cleanings; assuming it adds solution for each of the 3 washes???, thats 6 gal x 60 cleanings = 1 sani-cart for 360 gallons of water. 15Oz./360gal = 0.0417 Oz/gal. That requires some heavy duty concentrate! The strongest stuff I've seen calls for dilution of 0.5 Oz per gallon (OdoKleen, from CalVet.com & others). CG dispenses 1/10th of that! Simple Green recommends 2 Oz/gal for a "light wash", so CG would be 1/40th of that. So the question remains, will a substitute be too weak to be effective?

[gks]

I have a feeling that the solution is only dispensed in the last of the 3 wash cycles. That's when you can smell the scent of the solution. So that would make the dilution approximately 1/2 oz per 2 gals of water. I have some of the following on order to test out, should be very similar to the original formula, there are 3 strengths available: http://www.buckeyeinternational.com/products/disinfectants/sanicare/index.html

[cmb24]

Yes I thinks its safe to assume solution IS dispensed in the last wash (the drying heat makes it noticeable). The first 2 washes I'm not positive. Even if it is only the one time: the dilution is 60 uses x 2 gal/use = 120 gal & 15Oz/120gal = 0.125 or 1/8 Oz/gal (or 1/4 Oz per 2 gal). Still kind of weak, but perhaps good enough...? Let me know how how the formula you ordered works!

[gks]

Sorry, I meant 1/4 not 1/2! And yes I'll let you know how it works out. I'm mainly looking for something that won't leave the granules sticky and does not have an offensive odor to me and my cats. So if you go with the Quat-256, it has a recommended dilution of 1/2 per gallon. That would make it one forth the recommended strength. Also it only comes in rose scent at that strength. I suspect CG is using something even weaker then this to save costs. Just MHO.

[monsoon60]

This seems like a good place to ask, anyone try the Swiffer "Wetjet" solution? It is $4.00 a liter and available everywhere.

[gks]

One of the litterbox-central members did an extensive logging of the CG operation and discovered more then 1/2 of the total dose of solution is dispensed on the wet granules during drying cycle!!!

[ScottSEA]

I can confirm this. I have noted that the majority of solution is dispensed AFTER the last batch of water has started to drain. This makes it CRITICAL that you use only a product that is genuinely non-toxic to your cats. They are licking that stuff (in very small amounts) off of their feet.

[monsoon60]

Does it matter if you reset before you refill? I can't imagine it would but I thought I run it past the masters ;-)

[peebody]

I found that a turkey baster with the bulb removed from the end works really good for refilling the cartridge. It fits snugly into the cartridge opening, and fills it very easily if you DO NOT inflate the foil bag first. The weight of the liquid will expand the bag as you fill, thus eliminating the need to let air escape with the piece of wire. If there is a little liquid still in the tube after filling, a slight squeeze on the sides of the cartridge will cause a "burp" and the rest will go right in.

[crapflinger]

have you figured out something besides simple green yet? i love the smell of the stuff...but i know for a fact my cat hates it..

[ScottSEA]

Actually, yes but no. :-) We like the Simple Green Lemon Scent - it's very subtle in the CatGenie, yet cleans just as well and is completely biodegradable (which is good, because we're on a septic system).

[cmb24]

Scott - Is the simple green effective? From my calculations, it will be extremely diluted (@ 0.04 Oz per gallon), about 1/40th of the SG recommendation for a "light" wash (assuming my calc's are correct). Could it be simply, that the water is doing most if the work? Makes me wonder if the solution does much at all...

[ScottSEA]

Yes, I have found that the solution is very effective at this amount.

[kfouryou]

So has anyone come up with a winner for a substitute for the simple green? I Read on here about someone having trouble with their boards led staying on ? I have the same prob and no luck with my reset working I'm wondering does it matter if the power is coming from the usb or the battery.

[ScottSEA]

Actually, I too have had trouble with my LED staying on - just remove it and look at the surface mount one on the Arduino itself.

[gks]

I started a thread on the subject of replacement solutions over here. Lot's of good info! Find out what others are using and how it's working.
http://www.litterbox-central.com/litter-box/catgenie/topic2747.html

I also sell a reset device here:
http://www.smartcartridgereset.com/

[genie_refiller]

I live in Montreal, many products mentioned in the posts cannot be found here.
I just ordered this product from my vet:

http://www.vetoquinol.ca --> find product --> clinicide

recommended dilution is 1:128 I plan to test it pure and diluted in half. cost 80$ / gal

[glate]

What is everyone else using to refill with? I just filled with this product, I will report back on how it goes.

http://www.naturecleanliving.com/all_purpose_cleaning_lotion

[genie_refiller]

did you put the product as is? or did you dissolve with water?

[glate]

As is. So far it works fine, zero odor but the sides of the bowl are a tad sticky.. I never paid attention to it before and have nothing to compare it to though. When this batch runs out I'll try another cleaner and see how it goes. For the time being I've hooked up a dummy/empty cartridge once a week and ran the catgenie with no soap in it just to make sure all residue is gone.

[acapobia]

I was considering using odo-ban since it appears to be a strong disinfectant and not very potent on perfume. I think Wal-Mart carries it.

[ScottSEA]

I want to stress what I just posted elsewhere: I have noted that the majority of solution is dispensed AFTER the last batch of water has started to drain. This makes it CRITICAL that you use only a product that is genuinely non-toxic to your cats. They are licking that stuff (in very small amounts) off of their feet.

[genie_refiller]

Just wondering. 2 tablespoons of javel in the two cups of water... does that make sense? Should I add something else in the recipe?

[kfouryou]

yes I agree about the solution is in the last wash I noticed just before the dryer starts, it dispenses a small amount around the brim and thats where the fragrance comes from maybe it sanitizes it I don't know ?

[cmb24]

Has anybody measured the volume of water the CG uses for each wash of a clean cycle (I think it does 3 washes per cycle)? If we are refilling the cartridge with concentrate we should get the dilution correct... I figured I can calculate the amount of solution used for each wash as 15 Oz / 180 (60 cycles x 3 washes) (assumes solution is used at each wash. Can measure the water from the discharge hose into a bucket (a clean wash...). Was wondering if anybody did this already. I am thinking of using the sani solution available from Vet supply stores. (disinfects, cleans & deodorizes and are pet safe).

[kfouryou]

have you tried any other solution? I heard simple green isn't good for ammonia

[gks]

I'm the guy selling the Smart Cartridge Reset device. I want everyone to know the negative post TheMadViking found on Yahoo Answers was a hoax my competition is perpetrating in an attempt to discredit me. I still have the best reset device on the market and my customers are all satisfied. My device is full featured, fully warrantied with a money back guarantee. Check it out for yourself http://www.SmartCartridgeReset.com

[nokamoto]

Thank you for posting this instructable, Scott. Now I can get to work on all my empties!

[jeff waldie]

Has anyone come up with a replacement for the granules? Would uncooked long grain brown rice work? any ideas?

[ScottSEA]

I've no idea - but it might be worth a try! I'll give it a shot and get back to you... I might not use long grain brown, but who knows...

[BamZipPow]

You could probably even use a turkey baster to fill it with as well. :D

[ScottSEA]

...er that should have read: I tried the turkey baster early on, and found THIS method to be far less messy than the turkey baster. Sorry.

[jongscx]

...could you just connect a tube from the top plug to an external reservoir and avoid the whole mess of having to refill the mini cartridge altogether?

[BamZipPow]

No...it has a counter on the cartridge. You would have to still reset that every 60 counts.

[mcreynol]

Excellent write ups. Great sense of humor too!