iRobot Scooba experience

[mosmos]

Hi, just some info on using converters that i came across..



The website talks about performing a roomba/scooba mod and warns bout the possible consequences of using a 220V to 110V converter
http://gianmauro.wordpress.com/2006/12/29/irobot-roombascooba-110v-to-220v-mod/

don't understand, very confused.

 

[whypurplishblue]

In summary, in some odd circumstances where the converter outputs not 110VAC but < 80VAC your iRobot charger will bbq the roomba/scooba

If you read the irobot manual I think there is a warning on using converters..

Just in case one our roomba's stops working.. the cause of failure could be the voltage converter

 

[ktee]

Hmmm... then what is the alternative? Is there a way to mod a 380? Same as Roomba or 5800? Pls help! : )

 

[mosmos]

In summary, in some odd circumstances where the converter outputs not 110VAC but < 80VAC your iRobot charger will bbq the roomba/scooba

If you read the irobot manual I think there is a warning on using converters..

Just in case one our roomba's stops working.. the cause of failure could be the voltage converter

there is a charging unit included.

then better to use this one than plug power to scooba charge direct?

even if damage, scooba is still safe.

 

[whypurplishblue]

Hmmm... then what is the alternative? Is there a way to mod a 380? Same as Roomba or 5800? Pls help! : )

In the link above they show you how to mod the charger. Just need to replace a capacitor and varistor in the power supply. I think thats what gkrobots do when you buy it from them. I think 380 should be the same charge as the 5800.. took a look at irobot website and seems they sell the same charger for both

 

[whypurplishblue]

there is a charging unit included.

then better to use this one than plug power to scooba charge direct?

even if damage, scooba is still safe.

Haha.. that probably would be safer.. but this information is from what i have read in forums and on the web.. I haven't heard anyone in singapore ever having burned their scooba when using a converter. I believe a few of us are using converters and never experienced any problems rite?

When my scooba arrives I will mod the charger and see how it performs.

 

[p3c_sgd]

walau, sounds abit risky to mod the charger leh. Later catch fire how? 400V capacitor???? that can shock you to death.

 

[whypurplishblue]

hehe.. scary.. will shock you lah.. if it has charge in it.. when they describe the mod on the website.. they provide lots of warnings hehe.. So just hope that you have a good enough electrical background to know what you are doing

btw.. since you bought ur sage from gkrobots, you can open up the charger and probably notice they would have done the same mod

 

[ktee]

I will try to mod my discovery when it arrives. At least it is cheaper than the 380 (which i intend to buy)... can refer to renotalk link about the mod too:

http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8361&st=0

Ppl in europe also mod their chargers for years too. : )

 

[p3c_sgd]

wow...ok, i open up and check tonite. how to open huh? haha

 

[mosmos]

can take a pic of the bottom view??

 

[whypurplishblue]

I will try to mod my discovery when it arrives. At least it is cheaper than the 380 (which i intend to buy)... can refer to renotalk link about the mod too:

http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8361&st=0

Ppl in europe also mod their chargers for years too. : )

Great link! there is more info here

 

[p3c_sgd]

i open up the charger but i can't find the 400v thingy leh. There are two capacitors, one 1000uf at 400v (big capacitor), and the other is 47uf at 200v. I can only see two capcitors. The blue color varistor supposed to be removed is also there untouched. my charger is grey color and it looks exactly like the one in the link where you guys shared how to mod the charger.

 

[whypurplishblue]

Thats interesting, maybe the difference is the 1000uf capacitor? is that capacitor on the top right corner of the board? How bout a foto? hehe..

 

[ktee]

Ya. a photo speaks a thousand word. Might be we can juz chg a cap only!

 

[newuserid]

how is mopping bot coming to cleaning corners? its so big, can reach corners? read that it will be very wet. is it true?

 

[p3c_sgd]

ok...i take a photo tonight and post it here..

 

[mosmos]

how is mopping bot coming to cleaning corners? its so big, can reach corners? read that it will be very wet. is it true?

it would have problems cleaning the 4 corner of yr room, since the sccoba is round.

it is not very big as I had thought earlier.

yah, after mopping, the floor is quite wet, like those shopping centre floor mopping machine.

 

[whypurplishblue]

maybe need to leave fan on while scooba is mopping then hehe, I thought scooba would leave just a light wet surface only

 

[whypurplishblue]

Anyone got the promo code for the UOB discount for VPost? I cant seem to find it anymore