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Mastiff
Joined: 20 Sep 2007
Posts: 135
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| Posted: July 3, 2008, 11:16 am Post subject: How long can I make the 22 V cable from the Roomba charger? |
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| I need a cheap solution to having only one pro grade 220 to 110 transformer (I found out the hard way that the cheap stuff will get expensive pretty soon, and I can't afford more of the pro stuff right now). I could place the transformer and the power supplies in a central spot and run regular lamp cables with 22 V from the chargers to the Roombas. The problem being that they will have to be around 50-100 feet! Is that too long because of voltage loss and heat buildup in the cable, or is it safe to do so? Since the chargers are around 30 watts, it may be doable. I have some 12V spotlights with 30 feet long cables, and the cables don't feel warm. And that's 120 watt. So what do you power people say? :D |
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vic7767
Joined: 14 Jan 2006
Posts: 3313
Location: Louisiana
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| Posted: July 3, 2008, 12:22 pm Post subject: |
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| I had some experience with both +24 and -48 volt dc environments when working tor different telephone companies. At 22 and 24 gauge copper wire voltages could be transported up to a mile without a repeater in the circuit. Of course most of the power plant was at 100 amps dc. You might get away with shorter runs. Hopefully you can get your hands on some telephone wiring and give it a try. |
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Mastiff
Joined: 20 Sep 2007
Posts: 135
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| Posted: July 3, 2008, 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Vic, the only thing I can get here will be regular lamp cable, which I belive will be around gage 18 (0.75 mm2). But that may be enough, then. I'll try a run. I guess the worst that can happen is that it won't charge correcly, right? |
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vic7767
Joined: 14 Jan 2006
Posts: 3313
Location: Louisiana
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| Posted: July 3, 2008, 4:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Yes, about the only way to verify that your rig may work is to hook it up and give it a go. |
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Mastiff
Joined: 20 Sep 2007
Posts: 135
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| Posted: July 4, 2008, 2:20 am Post subject: |
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| It works! I took one of those cables I'm gonna use, around 80 feet of it, and no complains from the Roomba 535. Took less than two hours to charge the battery after a rather long run. :D Only one downside to this: I have to go up in the attic, which is around 120 F this time of year! And that's much for us arctic cats! |
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