Roomba Scheduler Not Charging

AlSecen · Joined: 08 Jun 2008 Posts: 5

I have a Roomba Scheduler and really like the thing. However, a few weeks ago it didn't dock at the end of a cleaning so I manually put it in the station. Then I noticed that the docking station had two green lights but the roomba wasn't charging. I did the discharge procedure (remove battery, press power for 5 seconds reinstall...etc) to no avail. I bought a new battery with the same results.

I'm guessing there is a logic gate or capacitor tester that is failing to allow the charge to continue. Should I replace the motherboard or is there some other diagnostic test I could perform?

I asked iRobot this question and their response was - throw the entire package away and buy a new one! Well - so much for technical support.

I'm pretty handy and can replace boards if need be, but want to focus on actually fixing the problem without guessing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Al

vic7767 · Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 3429 Location: Louisiana

Try bypassing your home base and plug your power supply directly into your Roomba.

RoombaExchange · Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 1248 Location: Florida USA

Al, thanks for the email, I don't get on RR as much as I used to due to workload.

Before attempting a charge again that can actually damage your batteries if the charging system has failed, do a few tests to isolate the problem.

Test the charger with a volt meter that it is supplying the 22v stable and constant power at the barrel end.

If you are not familiar with the Diagnostic routine http://mysite.verizon.net/gsplews/Diagnositic-Tests_Proc.v.0.5.htm please read through then several times to keep your roomba from getting damaged and to save on Band-Aids :wink:

If you are familiar with the diagnostic routine then put a battery in and advance through them to test 14 for the side brush. Test 15 is for the charging circuits and when you advance to 15 the Power light will be Red, the Status light will be Red and the Dirt detector will pulse 3x and repeat. Plug the charger into the side jack, the lights will all turn off and then back on, if the status toggles to Green then the charging circuits are allowing an acceptable voltage through to the battery, if the status light is still Red then you will need to replace the PCB or the failed circuits on the PCB.

NOTE: if your PCB is an older version [pre 2.1v] then test 16 will perform this function.

PCB- http://www.roombaexchange.com/proddetail.php?prod=453823
TIPS- http://www.roombaexchange.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=41
Roomba Tear-Down- http://www.roombaexchange.com/roombatd.php

AlSecen · Joined: 08 Jun 2008 Posts: 5

Thanks Chris. It looks like the battery (which was discharged when this problem surfaced) doesn't have enough of a charge to allow me to go through the diagnostic. I guess I should replace the board and hope for the best (unless there is a way to recharge the battery without going through the Roomba circuitry?).

I also tried plugging directly into the machine when this started to the same result.

I look forward to learning more!

Al

AlSecen · Joined: 08 Jun 2008 Posts: 5

Oh - and the charging base is getting 22.5 volts steady at the barrel.

Al

RoombaExchange · Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 1248 Location: Florida USA

Al, if you were careful enough and stayed with it you could wire your charger to the battery for 20 minutes or so to give it enough to run the diagnostics. You just have to keep an eye on it and the temperature to make sure that it is not over heating. With the battery dead you could charge it for a few hours without damage but I wouldn't leave it for more then 20-30 minutes and never out of sight.

USE CAUTION - The barrel end inside is POS and the battery terminal that is farthest away from the battery is POS.

AlSecen · Joined: 08 Jun 2008 Posts: 5

Thanks again Chris. I wired the battery up ( I also verified that the 22.5 v were coming through and it was) and let it charge for 30 minutes. When I reinstalled it, and press the spot/clean and then power, nothing happens. If I press the Power button alone, the four buttons flash green and then nothing. Does that sound like the board is fried?

Is there any special "reset" key combination that could clear this before I have to gut it? Again - I appreciate you heloing me through this...

Al

RoombaExchange · Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 1248 Location: Florida USA

What is the battery voltage, if it is below ~12v then it is not enough to turn it on. Sounds more like the battery did not charge enough or can't take a charge (damaged). You could try it again for a bit longer to see if it can charge enough to do the diagnostic tests.

AlSecen · Joined: 08 Jun 2008 Posts: 5

I thought it was the battery also. When this first happened, I bought a new one but it didn't charge either.

Looks like the battery I charged last night is showing 16v.

Do you think a board replacement would help this or is iRobot correct - I need a whole new system?

RoombaExchange · Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 1248 Location: Florida USA

Al, since repaires are not a part of iRobots business model they will always lean towards you buying a replacement and their stock answer based on this or any issue is that it is landfill bound. Any Roomba can be repaired and restored back to the original factory specifications and become a functional and reliable service bot again. With your battery reading 16v it should certainly be able to support powering up the roomba unless the battery is damaged and under a load drops immediately below ~12v which is entirely possible. The new battery if I am following you has really never been initially charged for the 16hrs so to try that one is not a good idea.

I would either suggest the PCB replacement or sending it in to us so that the repairs are done completely and that it is fully functional and ready to go when it arrives back.