A Scooba question

redmaid · Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 94

Hi,

Well, my robot familly is growing. Robo-Rubi (our Roomba Red) now has a working partner, Robo-Aqua (a Scooba) arrived today.

Questions....

a) Can I use vinager & water instead of the regular Clorox washing solution? If so, what ratio?

b) Any other washing (or disinfecting) solutions I can use with the Scooba that are safe for the Robot?

c) Can I use my fast charger to power up the Scooba?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Fraggboy · Posted: August 20, 2008, 9:53 am Post subject: Re: A Scooba question

Congratulations on your New addition!! :D

redmaid wrote:
a) Can I use vinager & water instead of the regular Clorox washing solution? If so, what ratio?

Yes, you can use vinegar/water solution. On the measuring cup it should show the proper amount to use.

redmaid wrote:
b) Any other washing (or disinfecting) solutions I can use with the Scooba that are safe for the Robot?
Yes. You can view the lenghty thread here

redmaid wrote:
c) Can I use my fast charger to power up the Scooba?
No. The fast charger is designed for the Roomba. The Scooba has a different plug which isn't interchangable.

redmaid · Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 94

Thank you Fraggboy,

I did take a look at the tread about alternatives for cleaning solution—a lot of interesting reading there.

I think I’m going to stay with the proper Clorox for now. I doubt I’ll ever be using vinagre as I have natural stone floors and I sure don’t wanna do anything that could damage them or the grout.

I’m also afraid that in the long run the acidity of the vinagre (even in small amounts) may damage the Robot.

One more question (sorry :oops: )….this time about my profile.

I want to change my USERNAME. Is that possible? I don’t see that as an option on the PROFILE page.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

~Maria

Fraggboy · Posted: August 20, 2008, 4:54 pm Post subject:

Maria, I know that you can create a new username with what you want and don't use the one that you are on. I'm not sure if changing the username is possible.

Don't feel embarassed about asking questions! That's why we are here. And, please don't think that a question is 'Too dumb'. The dumb question is the one not asked!! :D

redmaid · Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 94

"Don't feel embarrassed about asking questions! That's why we are here. And, please don't think that a question is 'Too dumb'. The dumb question is the one not asked!!"

O.k. I won’t (feel embarrassed, that is). Thanks :oops: (oOps! Still a litttle embarrassed).

My Scooba, Robo-Aqua, did not come with instruction sheet (plus a few other things) as it was a store demo. I have no clue where battery goes :roll: . Can’t find a link to any page that has that info.

Thanks in advance for any and all help :D .

~Maria

Fraggboy · Posted: August 21, 2008, 5:50 am Post subject:

Maria,

You can get the instructions below. You will need to take off the tank in order to place the battery in. Sorry for the long link. My HTML code is not working, or it doesn't like long HTML lines. If you have any other questions, please ask away!! :D

http://homesupport.irobot.com/cgi-bin/irobot_homesupport.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=140&p_created=1154463803&p_sid=4aqLOSbj&p_accessibility=&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9ODAsODAmcF9wcm9kcz0zMSZwX2NhdHM9JnBfcHY9MS4zMSZwX2N2PSZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFuc3dlcnMuc2VhcmNoX2ZubCZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PUhvdyB0byBwbGFjZSBiYXR0ZXJ5IGluIHRoZSBTY29vYmE*&p_li=&p_topview=1&prod_lvl1=31&prod_lvl2=&prod_lvl3=&prod_lvl4=&prod_lvl5=&prod_lvl6=

redmaid · Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 94

Thank you for the link. I have now copied the Owners Guide to a floppy for future reference.

There seems to be a “slight” problem :roll: with the handle on my Scooba—it’s not releasing.
Just how much pressure are you suppose to apply on the Scooba's handle before it releases? Or, is there some trick to it or something?

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

~Maria

Fraggboy · Posted: August 21, 2008, 7:13 am Post subject:

Maria,

Sometimes when you press down on the handle, the tank catches and needs to be gently pried with a butter knife to "pop" the tank up a little bit. Then you can pull on the handle to take the tank off.

After a while, you shouldn't need the butter knife, and the tank will come up on its own after a few times. Hope this helps!!

redmaid · Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 94

The butter knife suggestion worked just fine. Thanks for the tip & all the help, Chris!

Aqua-Bot is charging now (directly plugged to the Robot) and the charging seems to be doing o.k. (it’s doing the flashing green light thing). It did bring it’s own fast charger (much to my surprise), but I can’t figure out how the Robot is supposed to sit on the thing as it doesn’t seem to fit LOL.

I’m shopping now for the measuring cup and the mat as those items did not come with it (it’s a store Demo). I’ve already purchased the Clorox cleaning solution (which I was originally afraid to buy only because I thought it contained bleach). They really should consider renaming that liquid cleaner as calling it “CLOROX” gives people the wrong idea.

The Robot will have it’s first test-run tomorrow in the afternoon (after it has charged for the initial 16hr. requirement). I’ll be using water only for this time and see if it all seems well (hope so). The Clorox solution should be here sometime soon and then the fellow can go to work daily (& earn his keep :wink: LOL).

Thanks again,

~Maria

Fraggboy · Posted: August 21, 2008, 9:39 am Post subject:

Maria,

Check with Chris who runs Roomba Exchange . He has the part(s) you are looking for and cheap! The Scooba doesn't have a Home Base like the Roomba does. The Scooba has to be plugged in manually every time it needs a charge. Also, after your first run and thereafter, charge the Scooba until it turns green. After that, unplug your Scooba from the charger. The battery will hold a charge for a while until you have to use it next.

Just make sure if you do happen to run into a Check Tank light after a few seconds pressing the Clean button, your Scooba needs to be primed. Depending on how often you run your Scooba will depend on if you need to Prime it. If I don't run my Scooba for 2 weeks, I have to prime it.

To Prime:
With the tank off and the Scooba resting above the sink(Going to get wet), take an ear syringe(Blue Bulb used to clear out mucous out of babies' ears/nose) and fill it with water. Place over the raised "Nipple" right above the Release Brush button is. Hold securely while pressing water through the Scooba. Once you have water running out underneath, the Scooba is primed and ready to go. If you don't have a syringe, a turkey baster will work. It's ok to get a little bit of water around there. Key word is a little bit. If you do, just wipe the water dry and all is good.

Hope this helps.

ProTech Robotics · Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 1287 Location: Florida USA

Quote: It did bring it’s own fast charger
Maria, I believe that you are describing the external charger to charge your battery outside the scooba.

For the latch we lift up the rear of the scooba and tilt upwards at your hand/wrist when you push the latch release, after some use it may wear in.

redmaid · Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 94

"The Scooba doesn't have a Home Base like the Roomba does. The Scooba has to be plugged in manually every time it needs a charge."

That explains "why" poor Robo-Aqua (Scooba) wouldn't fit on top of that fast charge thing--it's for the Battery only!! LOL :lol: I thought the Scooba Robot was supposed to sit on the charger kinda like my Roomba :roll:

"after your first run and thereafter, charge the Scooba until it turns green. After that, unplug your Scooba from the charger. The battery will hold a charge for a while until you have to use it next."

That's great.

I think I get it now. Thanks for all your help, Chris (FRAGGBOY). Very much appreciated!

Thanks also to Chris (Roomba Exchange).

I will contact you about parts needed for my Robots.

~Maria :D

redmaid · Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 94

"To Prime:
With the tank off and the Scooba resting above the sink(Going to get wet), take an ear syringe(Blue Bulb used to clear out mucous out of babies' ears/nose) and fill it with water. Place over the raised "Nipple" right above the Release Brush button is. Hold securely while pressing water through the Scooba. Once you have water running out underneath, the Scooba is primed and ready to go. If you don't have a syringe, a turkey baster will work. It's ok to get a little bit of water around there. Key word is a little bit. If you do, just wipe the water dry and all is good."

I actually just today am testing it for the first time.
Have tried doing the prime thing as described but it's still a no go :(

"Once you have water running out underneath, the Scooba is primed and ready to go"

That never happened.

Should I keep trying? Or, will it harm the Robot?

Thank you.

Fraggboy · Posted: August 28, 2008, 6:54 am Post subject:

Maria,

You shoud have some water squirting out of the bottom of the Scooba while you are pushing water through it. Fill up the bulb up with water and squeeze until you see or hear water coming from the bottom of the Scooba. It might take the whole bulb full of water to prime. You won't hurt the Scooba.

redmaid · Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 94

"It might take the whole bulb full of water to prime. You won't hurt the Scooba."

I've done a few bulbfulls and no go.

No water comes through the bottom at all.

I don't mind trying the priming process over and over again, but am just concerned just how much is enough to cause damage to the Robot.

Things I've checked for

*The battery is sitting fine

*Dirty water tank is empty

*Tanks are sitting correctly

Should I try to wash off the dirty water tank with vinagre first? Maybe because it's a demo there could be stuff stuck in there?? Who knows. I'm just examining all possibilities :roll: .

Thanks,

Maria

Fraggboy · Posted: August 28, 2008, 8:07 am Post subject:

Maria,

There should be water coming from the bottom of the Scooba. After 2 bulbs full is starting to worry me.

You don't need to worry about the tanks (yet). First, you need to get some water dripping from the Scooba bottom first. Where exactly are you placing the bulb? Is it on the Scooba body with the tank off?

redmaid · Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 94

:oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops:

My fault--Maybe had nothing to do with priming at all. You see, I FORGOT to install the filter, and that black rubber tube thingy (that goes on opposite side of Scooba).

O.K. Starting again

Powering on, all is a GO (for three seconds) Then-- RED power light comes on--battery "apparently" is not charged-up :roll: .

O.K. No worries. I've got it charging up now--plugged directly to Scooba as it was not working with the other fast charge on the counter gadget.
Have no idea how long the charging is going to take, though. I know, I know-- patience is s a virtue :? .

I'm soooo glad I picked a day to do this when I'm at home for the whole day :lol: !

Fraggboy · Posted: August 28, 2008, 10:29 am Post subject:

Maria,

Charge it up until the power lights stops blinking. Then try again. Once you run the Scooba, it is strongly suggested that you charge the Scooba up until it stops charging and remove the charger from it. The Scooba will hold a charge for a few weeks off of the charger. If longer time is needed, you might need to refresh the battery by charging it up..

Out of curiosity, do you have the external Scooba Charger? Did you have the battery out of the Scooba and connected to another charger? How long was it on the charger? Did you take it out, place in the Scooba, and it's showing a red light with a tone?

Let us know the outcome..

redmaid · Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 94

Out of curiosity, do you have the external Scooba Charger?

Yes I do. Came with it.

Did you have the battery out of the Scooba and connected to another charger? How long was it on the charger?

I had the Battery out of the Scooba, & connected to the Scooba External charger (it's the only charger I have).But, wasn't charging properly--green light stoped flashing withing a few minutes. When I tried to power Scooba up to run, it gave me a red non-charged light with a signal sound. That's why I then placed Battery back inside Scooba, & tried to pwer the battery up that way.

Flashing green light came on but again only stayed on for a few minutes, and then stoped flashing. I tried to see if Scooba had "miraculously" charged up completely during these few minutes & gave Scooba a try. Scooba powered on, & two seconds later STOPED,red light came back on again with that sound that it makes when it's not charged up.

What am I doing wrong this time :roll: ?

Fraggboy · Posted: August 28, 2008, 11:19 am Post subject:

Maria,

Where did you purchase your Scooba? You said it was a store demo. Just wondering if something is wrong either with your charger, or battery. Since you don't have the charger that plugs directly into the Scooba and charge that way it will be difficult to test what the culprit is. Every time you put the battery in the external charger, the light turns green for a few seconds and then stops? I don't know how the external charger is supposed to behave, so I can't help you there.. Maybe someone with that knowledge can help you pinpoint what is the issue..