iRobot Scooba experience

[Jubooo]

I guess I may want to get the Scooba 390 from autovacstore.com
instead, looks like can buy local maintenance too.

Hmmmm..

You should verify with them whether it is a 390 or 380. Though physically and I believe everything is the same as a 380, the one they advertise on the website is a 380 & not 390. 390 has a retail box that states their model number on it and not in a brown carton box.


__________________
Checkout Robovac iRobot Store for all your robotics needs: Robovac iRobot Store

 

[Vachel Chan]

I guess I may want to get the Scooba 390 from autovacstore.com
instead, looks like can buy local maintenance too.

Hmmmm..

Yup, Buying Overseas may be quite the hassle and shipping via certain local postal services may be slow and costly (should be around $100 at least with taxes)
Anyway local warranty for Robotic Cleaners like the iclebo arte ($749), Lg Roboking ($799), Roomba and scooba are always available. For best prices do check out the Scooba 390 ($788) at Autovacstore.com.

 

[uno_bliss]

Hi,

I manage to recharge my old Roomba 4105.

First few charges the Roomba run for few seconds and then
no battery but at least it moves.

But now when the battery can last longer, it refuse to move ! When I turn it on, and press CLEAN, the usual melody sounded and the motor start (can hear) but then it abruptly shutdown and both the power and CLEAN LEDs blink 3 times.

Here's a video I uploaded to show what I mean :

YouTube - Old Roomba 4105

Anyone can help advice what might be wrong ?

Thanks !

U say managed to charge & run for few sec on previous occasions, then possibly ur Roomba is functional. "Possibly"... cos few sec is not enough to determine.

Ur current situation as per youtube video is more unusual, it could still be battery related but that usually ends with Red flashing & the low battery tune. Perhaps the tune will come on later but ur video ended.

In extreme cases, u could have an overload somewhere. Eg. an overload wheel, vacuum motor, brush motor.
An overload is a surge of "Power Drain", due to a jammed motor. This momentary surge makes battery drop below a certain minimum voltage & hence trigger low battery situation.
Coupled with an already weak battery, the "sudden death" happens even easier.

All is my guess work. Can't be sure until fully tested.
If u wanna pass me to diagnose, u can PM or email me unobliss@yahoo.com

My iRobot repair service ad is here: http://shop.ebay.com.sg/uno_bliss/m.html?_nkw=repair

 

[kst]

Hi uno_bliss,

Thanks for the quick response.

U say managed to charge & run for few sec on previous occasions, then possibly ur Roomba is functional. "Possibly"... cos few sec is not enough to determine.

Yeah, it started doing the spiral thing that it always do at the beginning of a cleaning cycle - however, it ran out of battery after 1 circle. But now, it can't even move at all and abrupt shutdown as shown in the video.

Ur current situation as per youtube video is more unusual, it could still be battery related but that usually ends with Red flashing & the low battery tune. Perhaps the tune will come on later but ur video ended.

Nope - my video shows all that is to show - after that - nothing happen - no more LEDs or sound/tune.

I guess an inevitable next step will be to send in to you for a diagnosis.

However, before I do that, I need your input on whether the problem which caused me to stop using this Roomba in the first place can be resolved :

The reason I stop using this Roomba is because when I move to my new place a few years back and I try using the Roomba, it leave swirl marks on my laminated flooring. The swirl marks started appearing at the beginning of the cleaning cycle when the Roomba is making the spiral thingy. The swirl mark is a single continuous spiral shape leading me to conclude that it is may be caused by the front castor wheel. Since my Roomba is a very old model, do you have the required part to replace the front castor wheel or you have other solution ?

Here is how the front castor wheel look likes :

Unless this swirl marks problem can be resolved, I don't see any point repairing the Roomba.

Is this (swirl marks) a known problem for older Roomba ? Cos I don't remember this problem when I use it in my old place, also laminated flooring but the lamination is smooth type, unlike my new place where the lamination has a bit of embossed texture.

 

[uno_bliss]

Hi uno_bliss,
Thanks for the quick response.

Yeah, it started doing the spiral thing that it always do at the beginning of a cleaning cycle - however, it ran out of battery after 1 circle. But now, it can't even move at all and abrupt shutdown as shown in the video.

Nope - my video shows all that is to show - after that - nothing happen - no more LEDs or sound/tune.

I guess an inevitable next step will be to send in to you for a diagnosis.

However, before I do that, I need your input on whether the problem which caused me to stop using this Roomba in the first place can be resolved :

The reason I stop using this Roomba is because when I move to my new place a few years back and I try using the Roomba, it leave swirl marks on my laminated flooring. The swirl marks started appearing at the beginning of the cleaning cycle when the Roomba is making the spiral thingy. The swirl mark is a single continuous spiral shape leading me to conclude that it is may be caused by the front castor wheel. Since my Roomba is a very old model, do you have the required part to replace the front castor wheel or you have other solution ?

Unless this swirl marks problem can be resolved, I don't see any point repairing the Roomba.

Is this (swirl marks) a known problem for older Roomba ? Cos I don't remember this problem when I use it in my old place, also laminated flooring but the lamination is smooth type, unlike my new place where the lamination has a bit of embossed texture.

The fixed front caster wheel is indeed an old design. Thereafter, the swiveling nylon front wheel was introduced.
The fixed front wheel is made of plastic, and it doesn't rotate when Roomba is turning circles or abrupt directional change, so it WILL scratch floor. The swiveling nylon wheel design is like office chair & will pivot according to the direction Roomba turns, plus Nylon is a non-scratching material.

It's not possible to convert ur fixed front wheel into swiveling wheel, trust me, I've thought long & hard about this problem long long time ago. But I've got a simple solution that can prevent scratches on ur laminate.

Anyway, I think 1st thing is pass me to check for overall functionality, then decide if worth restoring. PM or email me.

 

[kst]

The fixed front caster wheel is indeed an old design. Thereafter, the swiveling nylon front wheel was introduced.
The fixed front wheel is made of plastic, and it doesn't rotate when Roomba is turning circles or abrupt directional change, so it WILL scratch floor. The swiveling nylon wheel design is like office chair & will pivot according to the direction Roomba turns, plus Nylon is a non-scratching material.

It's not possible to convert ur fixed front wheel into swiveling wheel, trust me, I've thought long & hard about this problem long long time ago. But I've got a simple solution that can prevent scratches on ur laminate.

Anyway, I think 1st thing is pass me to check for overall functionality, then decide if worth restoring. PM or email me.

If you indeed have a reliable, long lasting solution for the front castor wheel, I will for sure send in for your repair. I just want to be sure and don't waste the $15 diagnostic fee if the castor wheel problem can't be resolved.

Will PM you soon

 

[bakasa2002]

I wanted to get from woot last year on Scooba 385.

I am still waiting for a Woot Scooba deal until neck long long liao. Anyone see pls pm me. TIA.

 

[endlssorrow]

i bypass courts in orchard hereby is johnlittle. happen to see Samsung. anyone tests? 7 hundreds plus also.

 

[bakasa2002]

i bypass courts in orchard hereby is johnlittle. happen to see Samsung. anyone tests? 7 hundreds plus also.

The prev Navibot was rated quite badly, if you must go korean way, consider the LG Roboking available in Sg. Review so far by HWZ user is quite gd.

 

[Vachel Chan]

i bypass courts in orchard hereby is johnlittle. happen to see Samsung. anyone tests? 7 hundreds plus also.

The Samsung model (Navibot SR8895) that is sold in Singapore courts is the 4th Generation model.
Do suggest you consider the 2012 5th Gen "Tango Smart" or "Navibot S" models instead if you are keen on the Samsung Brand. Comes with many improvements like Li-ion battery, Better HEPA Filtration, faster cleaning time, slimmer design at 79mm, etc. Would be available locally at a lower price soon.
May want to consider the 2012 LG Roboking 6142 ($799) too.

For a range of Robotic Cleaner models do checkout Autovacstore.com

 

[Kain999]

Hi,

Heard that using scooba without using romba first will cause scooba to spoil. not sure how true it is.
someone advise that cannot just use scooba alone. any comments from scooba user?

I have a roomba and scooba.

Ever since i bought a scooba, my roomba is just collecting dust as i dun even bother to use it. Maybe use once in 2 months when i remember.

The cleanliness of scooba is so much more than roomba that roomba just doesn't work for me anymore

 

[bakasa2002]

I have a roomba and scooba.

Ever since i bought a scooba, my roomba is just collecting dust as i dun even bother to use it. Maybe use once in 2 months when i remember.

The cleanliness of scooba is so much more than roomba that roomba just doesn't work for me anymore

bro, which scooba and roomba model you are using? Can the scooba really cover the entire house on one charge?

 

[bakasa2002]

Roomba's batt been giving me problem lately and today it went kuku ... Maybe it's charging, dock or Roomba itself. Gurus pls converge and offer SOS. TIA!

 

[uno_bliss]

Roomba's batt been giving me problem lately and today it went kuku ... Maybe it's charging, dock or Roomba itself. Gurus pls converge and offer SOS. TIA!

If u wear skirt, I fly down now to help u resolve. But... alas! ;p

 

[bakasa2002]

If u wear skirt, I fly down now to help u resolve. But... alas! ;p

Tks leh, that's v helpful.

 

[Kain999]

bro, which scooba and roomba model you are using? Can the scooba really cover the entire house on one charge?

IIRC, my scooba is 5800.
Can't really recall now.
Totally cannot remember my roomba no.
Only know it is white in colour.

It can cover the entire house on one charge with a new battery, excluding areas like kitchen, balcony, air con ledges, toilets etc.
But u will need to empty the container and refill with water halfway through cos the water will run out first before the battery.

 

[bakasa2002]

IIRC, my scooba is 5800.
Can't really recall now.
Totally cannot remember my roomba no.
Only know it is white in colour.

It can cover the entire house on one charge with a new battery, excluding areas like kitchen, balcony, air con ledges, toilets etc.
But u will need to empty the container and refill with water halfway through cos the water will run out first before the battery.

You can see the Scooba model when you lift the tank. It really sounds cool to be able to cover the entire hse on one charge. Mind if I ask how big is the hse and I am assuming u using iRobot original batt? TIA.

 

[Vachel Chan]

Roomba's batt been giving me problem lately and today it went kuku ... Maybe it's charging, dock or Roomba itself. Gurus pls converge and offer SOS. TIA!

Have your tried direct charging your Roomba? From the Adaptor straight to the Roomba, instead of using the Charging Base.
Charging base green LED light seem to be blinking even when the Roomba is in the dock.

 

[bakasa2002]

Have your tried direct charging your Roomba? From the Adaptor straight to the Roomba, instead of using the Charging Base.
Charging base green LED light seem to be blinking even when the Roomba is in the dock.

Yeap i did, batt life is still a short 36min, though i change a new batt. The blinking light prob seems to be ok liao ...

 

[thewiseone]

Unfortunately, not exactly an excellent deal but still...

Woot!

I am still waiting for a Woot Scooba deal until neck long long liao. Anyone see pls pm me. TIA.