I have a couple coming in on the mail, Will keep you posted.

How do you clean the optical sensor ?

Most of the time, this happens because the bail hit something and is slightly bent in. This happens when you put a spinning rod down. You can take the index and middle finger of each hand on each side of the bail and pull it out a bit. This should solve the problem.

I think they are made to be put on the foot of the reel to protect the reel seat or to get a better fit.

You might try a second cast. It might be broken but DC reels have to build up power on the first cast for the control system to work. I never try to make a long cast first time of the day.