iRobot Scooba experience

[uno_bliss]

... rubber brushes...to replace the bristles... 2 yellow tabs on the CHM. Do I pull on them to push the CHM down or leave it "floating"?

Rubber brush in place of bristle brush is only feasible on absolutely flat & smooth surface, eg. marble.
Irregular surface with crevices, eg. tiles/mosaic, will probably tear up rubber brush, or at least result in much noisier operation due to high RPM slapping of rubber flap on floor.

After installing the brush pair, CHM hinged cage should be locked in place with the 2 yellow tabs being the hooks.
If by "floating", u mean CHM rocks up & down, it was design that way by iRobot, to self-adjust brush spinning torque (resistance) on various types of carpet.

 

[uno_bliss]

I find that with the Aerovac, it greatly reduce tangled hair at both ends...

No doubt, AeroVac bin makes a big diff in bristle brush cleanliness.

Forumer congyuan has ordered, tested & posted regarding Aerovac bin on 12-08-2010.
I've been using AeroVac bin for ~3-4 mths, and have posted "Review of Roomba 551 with Aerovac bin" on 26-07-2010.

Unfortunately, iRobot is still selling Roombas with normal bin, probably cos normal bin is somewhat good enough for normal households.
AeroVac is an upgrade for those with shedding pets & family members who drops a lot of long hair.

The likely Qs on Roomba owner's mind is... "What am I gonna do with the normal bin after I purchase AeroVac bin?".
It's bcos of such a concern, I'm now contemplating on developing a normal bin mod.

I've got assortment of tools & am quite a hands-on guy + strong desire to explore = willingness to "sacrifice" a normal bin.
I call it "Constructive Destruction". As Joker once said, "You can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs".

 

[Zanter]

I believe it should not be hard to convert a normal bin to improve its airflow and hence it's suction power. Just close up the bottom air exit and dremel out an air exit with a filter at back.

 

[congyuan]

After using the aerovac bin for 2 weeks on my roomba 560, I feel it really worth the money.

Before using aerovac, I let it run on Mon, Wed, Fri. I need to clean the brushes everytime. If I don't clean it, the fur (I have a medium long hair cat at home.) wrapping around the end of brushes after 2 runs will make the roomba unable to move. In the long run it will damage the gear. So every 2 days I have turn the roomba over and remove the brushes, unwrap the hair/fur. Those having pets at home will understand.

Now I let it run from Mon - Fri. I only need to empty the bin everyday and clean the brush once a week. No much fur on the brush. After 5 days, the brushes still cleaner than previously 1 day's usage.

The 2nd order has arrived SG. I will collect tonight and SMS those reserved with me.

 

[uno_bliss]

I believe it should not be hard to convert a normal bin to improve its airflow and hence it's suction power. Just close up the bottom air exit and dremel out an air exit with a filter at back.

Yes, I was also thinking along that line.

i) Close up the squeegy yet allow for sliding out the normal filter to empty.
ii) Drill the separator b/w large compartment & fine dust compartment.

The newly opened holes should be located near the rear & possibly with a raised kerb so that heavy debris, eg. sand, is prevented from dropping to lower compartment.
Optimizing suction requires some deep thought, since air turbulence can set in when air is sucked through narrow opening (the drilled holes). High pitch wheezing noise may also occur.

All in all, such mod is purely for the challenge, since man-hour, tools required & trial & error damage/wastage need to be factored in.
Bulk order purchase of AeroVac bins & filters is probably a more "shiok" way to go.

 

[bundy]

Any kind soul can help me do the power supply modificaiton work? Pls drop me a PM. thanks

 

[uno_bliss]

Any kind soul can help me do the power supply modificaiton work? Pls drop me a PM. thanks

bundy, sent u a PM, pls check PM inbox.

 

[mosmos]

 

[XxDrAg0nxX]

is this considered cheap?

 

[XxDrAg0nxX]

ok wooted one...

My black one like CMI lai... probably will throw it away or salvage for parts

 

[mosmos]

is this considered cheap?

yah good value for money, though is refurisbed one~

 

[Jubooo]

ok wooted one...

My black one like CMI lai... probably will throw it away or salvage for parts

Please do not throw away if you don't want it. Donate it to me I can pickup from you at your convenience.

 

[tekster]

heng ar, i managed to woot one this time round too.

strange, not sold out by now. thought it'd be gone liao.

 

[XxDrAg0nxX]

heng ar, i managed to woot one this time round too.

strange, not sold out by now. thought it'd be gone liao.

Its a whole entire batch from irobot... their own website also got $199

They probably give woot a special price to sell for them

 

[XxDrAg0nxX]

Please do not throw away if you don't want it. Donate it to me I can pickup from you at your convenience.

If i take out the useful stuff like the battery all those nothing left liao le...

 

[Jubooo]

If i take out the useful stuff like the battery all those nothing left liao le...

No problem, take everything you need. The shell is also good to me

 

[tekster]

Its a whole entire batch from irobot... their own website also got $199

They probably give woot a special price to sell for them

i think they give merchants certain discount.

i know normal refurbished for 560 is going for USD229. so if compared to the 530 at USD199, might as well go for the 560 right? heh...

 

[Jubooo]

i think they give merchants certain discount.

i know normal refurbished for 560 is going for USD229. so if compared to the 530 at USD199, might as well go for the 560 right? heh...

Refurbished 560 cost US$249.99 if you want to compare at iRobot's site.

 

[bundy]

just got my roomba. working excellent. Doing auto cleaning according to schedule. keke.
any one can advice how u know the rechargable battery is weak and due to replace, if i schedule it to clean 4x a week ?

 

[uno_bliss]

just got my roomba. working excellent. Doing auto cleaning according to schedule. keke.
any one can advice how u know the rechargable battery is weak and due to replace, if i schedule it to clean 4x a week ?

Welcome to the club.
Ur Roomba & all 500 series with built-in scheduling comes with Black NiCD 2200 mAh battery which will deliver ~95 mins max runtime WHEN NEW, though Roomba will probably start looking for home ~60+ mins.

Since urs is Auto-virtual wall design instead of Lighthouse, searching for home can be hit-and-miss, so typically Roomba will clean ~75+ mins before successfully docking. With regular use, the NiCD batt should continue to deliver >60 mins runtime for 9 mths or more.

On 02-08-2010, 11:40 AM, I posted on the topic of battery, I mentioned "sudden death" phenomenon where Roomba is happily running & becomes Flat Red power suddenly, no attempt to look for home whatsoever. Any users encountering such issues can look for me.