P1st0lPete
New User
Hello. I've just bought a second hand Tennis Tutor Prolite Ball Machine. I was wondering if someone could tell me how to open it up to clean up all the ball fluff inside? Many thanks!
Tennis Tutor Prolite Opening Up
- Thread starter P1st0lPete
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CosmosMpower
Hall of Fame
Shop vac with a long/narrow tip
P1st0lPete
New User
And if I need to change the battery?
CosmosMpower
Hall of Fame
There are some screws you have to take out to open it, youtube it there are videos
P1st0lPete
New User
I have youtube'd it but can only find a video on the more expensive tennis tutor model. That has a different construction and screw layout. I'm interested to know so I can change the battery by myself if need be.
dak95_00
Hall of Fame
Yes. It's fairly simple. It's been a number of years since I've done a Tennis Tutor machine but they are all the same. There's like 6 screws on the bottom. You could always contact Sports Tutor and ask for a copy of the manual too.
P1st0lPete
New User
You don't undo any screws at the bottom please see the tennis tutor video link below:-
The prolite doesn't have the split case construction and the screws have a different arrangement. For anyone who's interested in the manual here's the link below. But it doesn't tell you how to change the battery.
https://docs.google.com/viewerng/vi.../manuals/tennis-tutor-prolite-user-manual.pdf
The prolite doesn't have the split case construction and the screws have a different arrangement. For anyone who's interested in the manual here's the link below. But it doesn't tell you how to change the battery.
https://docs.google.com/viewerng/vi.../manuals/tennis-tutor-prolite-user-manual.pdf
Mongolmike
Hall of Fame
I've got one, changed the battery out a few years ago. Didn't have a manual, but if you have even a little mechanical aptitude, you should be ok. Just keep track of what screws went where, even if you have to keep notes. I know that doesn't help much, but like I said, I took mine apart without a manual, and I'm not a rocket surgeon either.
P1st0lPete
New User
Mate, do you remember whether you had to unscrew the control panel? Cheers
Mongolmike
Hall of Fame
I don't recalling needing to take off the control panel. At least not to get into the battery.
I think the hex bolts around the middle of the case to open it, then there was more disassembly once inside the case.
It is not a simple task, but very do-able. Just keep track of what you took off where.
Once inside I changed the batteries ( I think there were two daisy-chained together), cleaned out the fuzz and leaves. etc., and then I messed around with the wheel to try to get better grip on spitting out the balls. I cut some grooves across the wheel to give some traction. Helped a little I think. Re-assembly was easier than taking apart, since it was just the same task in reverse.
I think the hex bolts around the middle of the case to open it, then there was more disassembly once inside the case.
It is not a simple task, but very do-able. Just keep track of what you took off where.
Once inside I changed the batteries ( I think there were two daisy-chained together), cleaned out the fuzz and leaves. etc., and then I messed around with the wheel to try to get better grip on spitting out the balls. I cut some grooves across the wheel to give some traction. Helped a little I think. Re-assembly was easier than taking apart, since it was just the same task in reverse.
dak95_00
Hall of Fame
Unless you have absolutely no mechanical skills, it's not difficult. It's been many years since I've done it. I'm not exceptionally skilled mechanically either. You can do it. There's very little you can mess up.
I buy and sell tennis stuff. It's easy to buy these when the battery is dead and replace them. I suggest you purchase a battery and charger from batteryspec.com as they sell smart chargers. I believe the whole setup was less than $50 and it was a great upgrade from the original non-smart charger that came with the machine. There's nothing worse than worrying about over and under charging a battery.
Just take it apart. You're not going to screw it up because there's nothing to screw up. Take out the screws and take notes as to where they go. Go easy and don't force anything. I could've sworn that the Jr/Prolite had like 6 screws on the bottom only but I must've been mistaken.
I buy and sell tennis stuff. It's easy to buy these when the battery is dead and replace them. I suggest you purchase a battery and charger from batteryspec.com as they sell smart chargers. I believe the whole setup was less than $50 and it was a great upgrade from the original non-smart charger that came with the machine. There's nothing worse than worrying about over and under charging a battery.
Just take it apart. You're not going to screw it up because there's nothing to screw up. Take out the screws and take notes as to where they go. Go easy and don't force anything. I could've sworn that the Jr/Prolite had like 6 screws on the bottom only but I must've been mistaken.
dak95_00
Hall of Fame
Btw, Tennis Tutor or Sports Tutor is known for their excellent customer service even for non-original owners. There are many stories told on this board about experiences contacting them and receiving free parts, etc. Don't be afraid to contact the source!
http://sportstutor.com/
http://sportstutor.com/
P1st0lPete
New User
Many thanks everyone! I'm going to give it a try this week and let you know
P1st0lPete
New User
I went to my local tennis tutor distributor to get the spare battery and some instructions on how to change the battery. I'm very glad I did as its different to the other tennis tutor machines and you can easily go wrong if you're not careful. On this particular model you turn it upside down so that the metal plate is facing you. Then you unscrew the 7 edge screws where the metal plate meets the plastic. Any screws with washers do not undo. Then carefully remove the base plate from the machine. As you are removing the base plate you will see some wires and terminals which can easily be disconnected. The battery is fixed to the base plate by a metal bracket. Undo the bracket and then you can change the battery. With the base plate off its also much easier to clean the machine from tennis fluff.
Mongolmike
Hall of Fame
Good stuff. I'll have to look to see if that is how mine should be taken apart. I may have done mine the tough way!
P1st0lPete
New User
The above instructions apply to the Prolite/Junior model only. If you have another Tennis Tutor model it will be different
