Dyson & Sebo Vacuum Cleaner Repair & Advice Forums

Other Vacuum Cleaners & Site Suggestions => Discussion About Other Vacuum Cleaners & Appliances => Topic started by: beko1987 on November 23, 2015, 06:02:32 pm

Title: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on November 23, 2015, 06:02:32 pm
I've never owned a Roomba before, they've always been faaaaaar too expensive for my mingebag budget.

Until now

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131658459333?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131658459333?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

The seller was alright, I messaged him as I couldnt see some bits that were listed in the manual as there, and said he would find them as he's seen them about. Should come next week!

Anyone know anything about them? I've spent all day working browsing this excellent forum - http://www.robotreviews.com/chat/viewforum.php?f=1 (http://www.robotreviews.com/chat/viewforum.php?f=1) and hopefully lobbing a cheapo battery in may fix it.

We shall soon find out
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: dysondc16 on November 23, 2015, 06:23:40 pm
Most of my experience is with 500 series models and up, they are very easy to work on thanks to a very service friendly design. The scheduler is part of the 400 series that is not quite as nice to work on, but it can be done (I'm sure you would have no problems stripping it).
The batteries do go out fairly regularly and most of the 400 series models I have worked on only needed a battery and maybe replacement brushes or something small like that.
I have that exact same model, and true to form it only needed a battery to get it working from  :dead-dyson:. Yours looks mostly complete too.
Will certainly be a fun machine to have, and should resell easily. Let us know how you get on with it!
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on November 23, 2015, 06:26:49 pm
Sweet,  thats good to know then!

Ill certqinly be keeping the box somewhere for selling it on eventually,  but not before having a damn good play! Good to know you know your way around them,  ill be needing that!

Anythong I should look out for when it arrives? Wont buy a battery straight away,  will check to see if its worth it first...
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: dysondc16 on November 23, 2015, 06:37:46 pm
Really, you just need to check a few basic things. Make sure the brushes and wheels can be turned by hand, make sure the treads on the wheels aren't loose (they had a bad habit of doing that on these older ones), check if the side brush can be turned by hand, and see if the lights on the machine will respond when you plug it in either with the old battery or no battery. Other than that there really isn't much you can test without a battery, but it does rule out some potential headaches.
If the wheel motors or brush motor seem seized then that might be a big problem. One nice thing about the 500 series and up is that they used modular internal components making swapping out a busted wheel or brush module fairly cheap and super easy. Sadly this one does not share this design.
Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: MVacs on November 24, 2015, 01:08:37 am
I have had a few Roombas - they are fun.

Batteries are pretty cheap at Q.

I actually want another one for the new shop.
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on November 24, 2015, 09:45:28 pm
Haven't looked at Q yet. I'm hoping the battery has just discharged itself beyond the point the roomba can charge itself
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on November 30, 2015, 07:50:23 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iGPNkbVWZZU/Vlv95PSRyII/AAAAAAAAvp4/KdRL-IUl5Lw/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

It's arrived! (Came on Friday but I wasn't at work so only found out today!)

Hopefully I can force some life into it tonight... It's utterly filthy (which is good) but seems complete. So far, the shopping list is:

1x new side sweep brush (as one side is snapped off). Will wait to see what else I need first though before spending out
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: MVacs on November 30, 2015, 09:14:13 am
Hey, I might have a go at that as well if you get it running right.  :icon_nod:

Q have their own side brushes as well.
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on November 30, 2015, 09:23:57 am
Hehe I'll let you know!

For now, I have no idea what it needs, I'll get it running right first before spending any money on it, and if we like it, it may stay, but I imagine it will hate our deep rug, so we shall see.

It's bigger than I thought too, but then I;ve never had one so can't really compare.

Mvacs, you could have a fleet of them to clean the new shop at night (if your alarm sensors will cope with that). Could even give them custom paint jobs, de stijl roomba's... (would be cheaper than buying the new Dyson robot cleaner...)
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: MVacs on November 30, 2015, 03:55:55 pm
(would be cheaper than buying the new Dyson robot cleaner...)

I think I need a new Dyson robot in my life.  :grinn:
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on November 30, 2015, 06:51:48 pm
I had a closer look at this just now

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ns3chG1I-3s/VlyVVNPRgFI/AAAAAAAAvq4/giyqo_knfH8/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

Well screw you iRobot, I don't need your warranty anyway!

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n1qU2Epia98/VlyVW5M1UgI/AAAAAAAAvrA/9Vovb5sh-jg/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

I printed off the 'how to force charge into the battery' guide and instruction manual at work just incase

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sED5WwL7MOk/VlyVYXNBXkI/AAAAAAAAvrI/BmqT--ykOg0/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

and unpacked it

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-INkObuylvYc/VlyVZt7uGoI/AAAAAAAAvrQ/mo2rQOZBwfw/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q6TMYoShEsI/VlyVa1IqmTI/AAAAAAAAvrY/XFrbU-95FUM/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

One of the virtual walls has been heavily used, the other never

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D3QMu_H2-q0/VlyVc57VzYI/AAAAAAAAvrg/ATTwA7OQh6Q/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

Backed up by one having batteries in (and turning on) and one not

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7IMcx-is5RA/VlyVeIbqrKI/AAAAAAAAvro/JCZxGDNPCRM/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

The UK plug is actually a US-UK convertor

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bPRvcchVowM/VlyVfQzVMOI/AAAAAAAAvrw/xQXhcmlLSgc/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

The dock was covered in hairs

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zzSm0qcHkGI/VlyVgvib_tI/AAAAAAAAvr4/rop89LQBlDY/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fv6gzTiZmHE/VlyViNsXj0I/AAAAAAAAvsA/nPVCyp3_5X4/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

The power supply is VERY light

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MjDnmxKkpUo/VlyVjiGvJbI/AAAAAAAAvsI/5R8NaVgdtoM/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

and american

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xBU7MlxDAw4/VlyVk40uCvI/AAAAAAAAvsQ/dJ1zqK7X76g/s512-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

The Scheduler remote

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F-4RxyB3dY8/VlyVmCgl9aI/AAAAAAAAvuI/e7Q7MIT0SsY/s512-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

sans batteries

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-opjUGzov2J8/VlyVolwLYpI/AAAAAAAAvso/KDYL23KYKRY/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

A scrap of paper at the bottom of the box

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k4FEZ6Mh3-Y/VlyVqEoKdZI/AAAAAAAAvsw/kK97zqx7cu8/s512-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

and the machine itself!

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0RIyqrWyW-U/VlyVreuPg-I/AAAAAAAAvs4/jQA7iI2TjYo/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HuORd46fAWI/VlyVtWnx3MI/AAAAAAAAvtA/wBjOYGDCIZw/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

Noticed this immediately

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gx86xwSacXQ/VlyVuzShjQI/AAAAAAAAvtI/jx0kKLl9r7g/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

Ah

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xUi0G51FdAQ/VlyVw_CPTnI/AAAAAAAAvtQ/MeCzp8dOGaA/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

An initial voltage checked confirmed it was pretty dead

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i716GPLT4eM/VlyVydIXb3I/AAAAAAAAvtY/bGfp_B1Uhj4/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

So, to avoid any mofset failure (or to save time as it's happened already, the seller did say he had tried to charge it alot  :doh:  I went straight in for the direct charge. A piece of blown Dyson DC33 cable was fished out of the toolbox

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kgpkbXccbXQ/VlyV0GD4GGI/AAAAAAAAvtg/Jq11_gXJKq8/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

This had the bonus of I could use the crimps on the machine end to sit in the battery terminals (after flattening the spade terminal on the live cable)

Connected to the plug

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3GVM2FD1G9o/VlyV1ssC6TI/AAAAAAAAvto/HQe0h3G21S4/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

and (bad pic, sorry) checked for voltage running through the whole setup

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aZRMKtJdc9E/VlyV3I6i3uI/AAAAAAAAvuQ/Rrvg4y_crQM/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

Whilst that did it's thing for 10 minutes, I popped some AA's into the remote

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cEwUQ8poJSA/VlyV4TrjE2I/AAAAAAAAvt4/nUtXm0XOx-E/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

At least something works!

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cEwUQ8poJSA/VlyV4TrjE2I/AAAAAAAAvt4/nUtXm0XOx-E/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

After 10 minutes, the battery showed some voltage

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ElgF-wHeoSc/VlyV6OvO0dI/AAAAAAAAvuA/Tfhcd7d1yL0/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

I did fit the battery, but Roomba was still dead (I bet most of you said that before you read it in my post...) so I hooked it back to the charger directly, as it didn't get hot before, got the kitchen timer on 15 minutes as I type)

A new battery is pretty much a given, but I just want to get the thing to light up and show life before splashing out £20 on a new battery, then another few quid on a new side sweep brush and brushroll cage (one of the clips has snapped off).

I will update in due course!
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on November 30, 2015, 08:17:57 pm
Well, after 3 hours in total on the direct charge, the battery read 12.3v, then started to go down quite quickly, went to this for this pic

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UXQBhYS1aaQ/VlytcOzyayI/AAAAAAAAvug/bJkhpVbHzm0/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

and went down a bit more. I put it back in the machine, and nothing.

I then plugged the charger into the roomba, and got a pulsing red light

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XW-9MZjYi8w/VlytdhqxgEI/AAAAAAAAvuo/SNFjSRKtzYI/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

The manual mentions a solid red light for 'battery empty', but not a pulsing red light. I think the battery is kippered though, going by the speed the voltage dropped when off charge.

I think the battery is dead, I've asked the same question on the Roomba forum where a very knowledgeable chap will probably tell me to buy a new battery, if so it can go back in its box for now, can't afford a battery this month, just spent out on a new charger and battery for the accu-nova!

It's probably not worth keeping the battery directly charging overnight is it? It's only a 14v battery apparently, so there's only 2 more volts it can take.

It's sat under the change table pulsing away on red, will leave it there for a bit. If nothing else I can leave it a few hours and check the MOFSETS, if the charge has increased then they are fine and it's the battery that's gone (which is the preferred option)
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: Madrat on November 30, 2015, 09:06:35 pm
If the voltage is dropping that fast then no.
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on November 30, 2015, 09:08:47 pm
It now makes a de de du de noise with the charger off,  so there is life!

Ill have a check of the voltage in a bit and see what the score is

Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: dysondc16 on November 30, 2015, 09:38:26 pm
That means the electronics should be good! I just stripped a similar model last week, so let me know if you need help with that. Interesting that you got a U.S. one, wonder how that got over there.
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on November 30, 2015, 09:40:17 pm
I was thinking that too,  I found a sticker under the battery saying 'remanufactured by irobot.

Shopping list so far is:

Battery
Side sweepy brush
The cage that sits over the brushrolls and clips it all down
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on November 30, 2015, 09:40:54 pm
Wonder if maplin ever sold them in the uk? Would make sense that they would buy em cheap,  bundle a converter in and flog them,  or the owner just went to maplins...
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on November 30, 2015, 11:28:52 pm
Well

At about 10pm, I checked the battery, and it showed 16v (which is strange from a 14v battery, but never mind), so I stuck it in the Roomba. Pushed the power button and it turned on, with green LED's all round! Pushed the clean button, and it ran! I turned it off, got my phone out and filmed it!


it seemed to work really well at first, but then started stalling and shutting off. Since I shot that video, I kept trying, and it would run for a while, then stutter and stop. Picking it up and firmly putting it down again seemed to make it work for a while. Then it would do it again. I even made it dock, although it took bloody ages for it to find it, it kept turning around and going the wrong way, should it do this?

Either way, it runs, and works!

I had a little look around it now I know it lives, it's filthy! I gave it some light maintenance

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QhPjuBOVru8/VlzZF45OEwI/AAAAAAAAvu8/AZ0FvoKhgaI/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uWibY8h2wow/VlzZHFIaUEI/AAAAAAAAvvE/E0yBw5EwTEg/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

Picked all the hairs out of the brushroll and 'beater' bar

and wiped this part down with a baby wipe (with the battery out)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QeZp4QK7hvU/VlzZISNrs1I/AAAAAAAAvvM/KheJAAW7xlg/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

It then cleaned all it's own mess up superbly, then stalled again  :cry:

It's on charge now, with the battery inside the machine, charger plugged straight in. Will have another look in the morning

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YHOqbStGQy8/VlzavvcWlfI/AAAAAAAAvvY/68hjPi_VCRA/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

The base plate for the brushroll is broken too (could this be tripping a sensor out somewhere?)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5RHAj4Li6lM/VlzaxNUQDLI/AAAAAAAAvvk/p8ymfGGlh04/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

I got about 15 minutes out of the battery too, with no grumblings about needing a charge. That will do for testing purposes!
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on November 30, 2015, 11:37:26 pm
Ha, I plugged the dock in, and when it eventually found the bloody thing left it to charge. Pushed 'Clean' on the remote, and it turned on, made a beeping noise and reversed off the dock (turned around, hit the change table, shit itself and died). It's so funky! Proper little 'beep, beep, beep' like a lorry as it went backwards!

Must stop playing with it, there's obviously an issue somewhere!
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: dysondc16 on December 01, 2015, 12:02:52 am
Saw your vid right after you put it on you tube, seems to me like either a dirty cliff sensor (makes it think it's going to fall down the stairs), or an issue with the bumper itself.
They can sometimes have trouble getting to the dock, would have to see a video to tell you if something is wrong though. I noticed a noise in the video which is probably due to the broken base plate. A good clean of the little light sensors on the outside edge of the bumper might help, there should be 3 of them facing down on the outer edge of the bumper.
At least it lives!
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on December 01, 2015, 12:05:47 am
Cool, I'll start with the bumper then! Do the sensors come out for some cleaning with something chemically?

I'll try and get you a video of it trying to dock. I have to have the dock against the wall on the laminate, otherwise it goes for it, pushes the dock back then gets confused and beeps at me!
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: dysondc16 on December 01, 2015, 12:16:43 am
I have never removed the sensors themselves (luckily haven't needed to), but the bumper is fairly easy to take off, just 4 screws and a wire cluster connector (don't know the technical name for it), and the bumper lifts off the machine. All the screws are on the underside of the bumper on it's attaching points, you can see where the bumper connects on two little pivot points, one screw on those points themselves and another right next to them. Sorry about that description! Not too good at explaining these things without having the cleaner right in front of me to point at!
Anyway, you might be able to better access the sensors after removing the bumper.
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on December 01, 2015, 06:14:19 am
Well, both our children are sick in some way. Eva (eldest) has a high temperature and was being sick last night, she slept upstairs with mummy. The boy (4 weeks) has a cough, and generally won't settle. I slept downstairs with him so he didn't wake Eva up.

2.30am, he wanted feeding, then would not go back to sleep.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RMYgYiA7j-E/Vl01FEgDvnI/AAAAAAAAvv4/15BIzVOv3Qc/s512-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

I eventually get him gone at 3.15am, and don't feel tired anymore. So, I have a coffee and a rolly, and with the boy finally asleep, I decide to have a harder look at Roomba. DysonDC16, this is your fault, with your reasoning and good ideas of where to start... ;D

Front bumper off

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pM0sgn1jI4M/Vl01G2A0y9I/AAAAAAAAvwA/oOLxDcfaJW8/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

I pulled one of the sensor modules out of the inner bumper housing. They were all quite clean, but it wouldn't hurt to look

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ef11pJYygWE/Vl01IEk0b0I/AAAAAAAAvwI/C29WePLkgsI/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

I teased the wires out of their clips either side and opened the housing up to reveal the 2 IR modules

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b8u8PW3PikU/Vl01K8v0RGI/AAAAAAAAvwY/p7_8Mj8uKeU/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

Although they weren't too bad, I gave each one a wipe with a baby wipe, then a dry with a tissue, then re-assembled and moved on

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-prkOcHTlgXw/Vl01MKsG5EI/AAAAAAAAv0M/RRnVvezFPuI/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-flhDYeZKs90/Vl01NSziFfI/AAAAAAAAvwo/-OX9MLVjrf0/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

I did all 4

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R5CCtojZjk8/Vl01Oy_SUBI/AAAAAAAAvww/z6Dx7alQweY/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

Then decided to take the main housing off

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7bIvSkyqmxs/Vl01QDrMXsI/AAAAAAAAvw4/omeeVziQ6Dg/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

and look at the wheels, as the tone but no beep (according to the manual) is a dodgy wheel, backed up by threads I've read on this forum

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Uf2nh4DtgS4/Vl01Rojm8VI/AAAAAAAAv0c/3GCzbF22Or0/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

DC Jack/I/O port lifted out the way

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CHdSKIJZMwo/Vl01TLBGGDI/AAAAAAAAv0g/gHky4Jih2ZY/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

Cable tie snipped, but to get the wires out the bracket holding the tension spring has to be removed it seems

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dvD-cazg7as/Vl01UhdTDxI/AAAAAAAAv0w/5JrxZwSB1Qg/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

Bye

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o3eDDWGqxq4/Vl01V_tbJtI/AAAAAAAAvxY/Ltv4kEIrxVw/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

This enabled me to take reference shots of the wire locations. First up, this yellow and black chap

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wdKaprdh--Y/Vl01XCwDZyI/AAAAAAAAv04/T3A0-o35A0Y/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

Then these two from the motor which go into the same plug

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T8RgNgZ50Co/Vl01YtKF6LI/AAAAAAAAvxo/lJGMLGfrQcI/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

The wheel retaining brackets come out

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oA86iGNAKbQ/Vl01Z8DmhBI/AAAAAAAAvxw/nDno7g6uQcI/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

I don't own a hot glue gun, so left this micro switch in place, but cleaned all the (I think cat) hair from around it

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c9AGsV_S3R0/Vl01bBRNdOI/AAAAAAAAvx4/wUro_CXsND8/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

Lets have a look in here then

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U9aZ1NIXVKY/Vl01c8gyzAI/AAAAAAAAv1A/x4FLFXW8mQI/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

Some fluff under this side

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_XC6nExv8vI/Vl01eamg7sI/AAAAAAAAv1I/_hoLsusbNnk/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

3 more screws and the wheel comes off

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BEXQ_KZ0m-0/Vl01f1D_GzI/AAAAAAAAv1Q/DtrGAHl34YQ/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

4 more screws and some planetary gears, which remind me of the Panasonic Icon's brushroll drive setup

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-96S01DJHVxk/Vl01hfnKTWI/AAAAAAAAv1Y/Vz3aaN7JA4o/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

I wasn't going to dig around in the shed at (what now was) 4.30am for my grease, so will have these apart again, clean all the old crap off and re-pack them with grease

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dm1AADgETvc/Vl01ioaNIPI/AAAAAAAAv1g/WJ0PLiyYr4k/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1b8rMOrIXHQ/Vl01jxUsKJI/AAAAAAAAv1o/M1QxwJGNSmw/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

I picked all the hair and fluff out of these

and popped it all back together, routed the wires and replaced the cable tie. I did have the other side cover off, and picked out a small bit of fluff from the drive belt side. Was pretty clean though

On the other side, the bracket holding the tension spring is slightly different

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I0X8wgvl5ag/Vl01mxbhLtI/AAAAAAAAvy4/abeH4vGzBUw/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

The little speaker lifted out

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RjYYbnU01TQ/Vl01oEGKE8I/AAAAAAAAvzA/YfGk6P6mafI/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

The small plug is the speaker, large one is the wheel motor

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DKbiY6kPlkA/Vl01pQBrIRI/AAAAAAAAvzI/wpCmDvuVjT8/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wNUyjMFt6EE/Vl01rCPpIeI/AAAAAAAAvzQ/p2Q1ZtUYn9s/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

Drive belt side de-fluffed

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e9fiZucSCQk/Vl01sboZPhI/AAAAAAAAv14/FTYKiUufyqs/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

Even smaller bit of fluff on the other side of the wheel

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gOTVBCzMECc/Vl01uJP8sFI/AAAAAAAAvzg/LSrVF5Xrx4Q/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KJ4RiVngkWc/Vl01v1x9lcI/AAAAAAAAvzo/ABKWW4RoM4k/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HR6OsVe91Bw/Vl01xgXL0MI/AAAAAAAAvzw/KrnsFoJ5mVw/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

De-haired, re-assembled and re-fitted!

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tZp2EKUwHHw/Vl01zKhVINI/AAAAAAAAvz4/bGwhJFaZmVw/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

I popped the top cover on, and the bumper, fitted the battery, packed my tools away and turned it on...and it works! No stuttering, no stalling, no getting confused and just shutting off, it cleaned all it's mess up! I then got the dock out, to see if it docked any better than before and it died... Played it's sad little tone and sat there, with the charge light flashing. A quick check of the battery with the multi meter showed it 'died' at 13.something volts, which is a nice sign, so it's now sat plugged into the charger for the day whilst I go to work, then I shall see if it works later on, and if it's charged!

Time for more coffee and to get ready for work
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on December 01, 2015, 08:01:53 am
Oh yea, it turns out that the casing screws are not magnetic, which caused some confusion I have to admit.

That explains the last picture of white tack to the rescue!

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ps_CP_OVqIs/Vl011gIyPPI/AAAAAAAAv0I/9aLE0Pt4-3M/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

I turned it on quickly before I left for work after half an hour on charge, it turned on, and did it's thing perfectly. Hopefully it's fixed! Will let it do a full run around when I get home, see what it does. Maybe throw some dirt round too...
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: Tech12 on December 01, 2015, 08:29:18 am
Hi Sam: Nothing strange about the battery showing a slightly higher voltage if you just took it off charge, it's best to leave them 5 minutes or so from taking off charge to testing. Especially when using a DMM for testing, it presents   
virtually no load to the battery.
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on December 01, 2015, 08:36:11 am
Ah that's good then! Hopefully the roomba can charge it up now, It is pushing voltage in so hopefully the MOFSET common issue is fine. I'll still treat it to a new battery next year (£18 on ebay) as apparently they only last 100 or so cycles according to the service manual. Will use it a bit though to check it's worth spending money on the little thing
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on December 01, 2015, 08:39:36 am
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roomba-Discovery-Parts-Accessories-Yellow-Brush-Beater-Bar-Wire-Cage-Bushings-/111825972932?hash=item1a0958eec4:g:dDYAAOSwRLZUC2go

Would sort it out I think, even from america!
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: __russ__ on December 01, 2015, 10:14:14 am
This has revived interest in mine which I'd given up on!

I've got a 530 and put new battery, brushes and side brush from Q. It works ok but randomly stops and plays a tune with flashing (red I think) light.

Put it back in the box meaning to have another look and forgot about it!
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on December 01, 2015, 10:31:05 am
I reckon my issue was in the drive wheels. I've seen pictures of them absolutley packed with fluff, and mine weren't that bad, but there was hair everywhere, which I think caused an intermittant signal to the various IR bits in there. Ditto the 2 microswitches that sense the position of the wheels, they were buried in fluff and hair, it may have been just that, but you know me, I like to pry a bit further.

Yet to actually prove this for more than 5 seconds but I'm hopeful. The cliff sensors were spotless, only took them apart because why not etc.
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: dysondc16 on December 01, 2015, 02:47:02 pm
Blame me if you must! At least it works now..... :))
Sounds like it just needed a general clean. One thing I would highly recommend when you get the chance (and if you haven't done it already) is remove the cleaner head and get into it's gearbox, they get very dirty and hair can jam the whole thing up.

Hope Eva and Charlie get to feeling better! Especially Eva with that fever.
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on December 01, 2015, 02:50:18 pm
Thats going to be my next point of call,  get the vacuum cleaner part sorted! The filter is filthy,  as is the dirt box etc.  Will feel more at home doing that bit!
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: dysondc16 on December 01, 2015, 02:56:16 pm
No kidding, I am the same way. I'm still not sure what it's more of, robot or vacuum? :grinn:
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on December 01, 2015, 03:15:38 pm
I used to get the Real robots magazine when I was a kid,  but didnt do it much once I started finding alcohol and parties,  which is a shame as it was very interesting.  Its 50/50 on the 'its a hoover'  and 'cool robot'  at the moment!

Irobot sell roomba devices without the vacuym part for educational purposes,  and have released the source code for the newer models to enable them to be hacked about,  which I think is great!
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on December 01, 2015, 03:26:55 pm
Like so



Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on December 01, 2015, 04:53:42 pm
Well,  I think I have Mofset failure! Its been on charge all day,  and Ive just come home and turned it on and immediately got the low battery warning.  A voltage check showed the same 13v it had at 5am this morning.

Ill check on the roomba forum that the ones in my ebay watch list are correct and perform the mofset mod.  Apparently its easier to buy bigger modules,  and solder extension wires from the motherboard to the modules,  and tape the modules ontop of the battery compartment.


Ill take the mainboard out at some point and ask my stepdad if he can do it,  it will be beyond my skills,  which are zero as far as soldering goes! If not,  ill have to find someone who can solder who wouldnt mind me posting it all over...

Battery is on direct charge, I want to see it perform a full cleaning task first before dismantling it long term for a while!
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: Tech12 on December 02, 2015, 08:41:34 am
Time you bit the bullet & learned to solder buddy, once you've done it a few times it will come easy. You can get practice kits in Maplin for a couple of quid, they even have plain English instructions which is a novelty  ;) We bought one for my daughter to start her off & it was OK.
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on December 02, 2015, 09:48:51 am
I'll look into that, I would like to learn. I do have a basic iron, and some solder, I should practise, probably before playing with the mainboard of the Roomba which looks a bit involved!
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: Tech12 on December 02, 2015, 12:15:56 pm
Yep: Practice on duff boards first. Get yourself a decent solder sucker, some desoldering braid & a small tub of electronics flux as well they make life a whole lot easier.
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on December 09, 2015, 11:46:47 am
Yet something else I haven't updated in ages, sorry!

(A while ago now), I fully charged the battery again after the light strip and cleanup, and it ran really well

I set a virtual wall up


Then set it loose in the hallway


the battery then died again. So once I have replaced the MOFSETS, I will purchase a new battery.

It picked up a surprising amount

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8Fmxsy-bNBM/Vl8n86Z0fFI/AAAAAAAAv2I/Smvpx7T3jjc/s800-Ic42/upload_-1.jpg)

It's currently back in its box for now, I'll look at it next year and try to get some soldering practise in, then I'll pull the main board out and recce out the job to be done, and find some suitable wire. I stripped loads out of my old Ford Puma when I scrapped it years ago, I'll fine an appropriate sized reel of it to use to re-locate the mofsets.
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: Tech12 on December 09, 2015, 02:45:28 pm
Looks like a nice bit of kit, be careful when replacing the MOSFETs they're really static sensitive & need to be handled with care.
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on December 09, 2015, 02:54:21 pm
Thanks for the hint Tech, I'll bear that in mind! Should I lean against a radiator whilst doing it?
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: Tech12 on December 09, 2015, 03:43:36 pm
Wherever you do it, make sure the room doesn't have synthetic carpet. Make sure your soldering iron is earthed, touching a bare heating or water pipe just before doing the job would help dissipate built up static but an anti static wrist band would be better. If you remind me in the New year, I'll send you one.
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on December 09, 2015, 04:17:46 pm
No synthetic carpet sadly, just synthetic wood floor... Can touch a heating pipe with the iron first too. Want to practise on scrap wire first though before committing to buggaring up the main board of Roomba! If I still don't feel confident I won't do it myself, but we shall see.
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: Madrat on December 09, 2015, 04:34:26 pm
Was this the reason technology was so slow to grow in the 70s ? all that nylon and crimpeline, the static stopped progress  :))
Title: Re: Roomba Scheduler 4230
Post by: beko1987 on December 09, 2015, 04:55:20 pm
Can't say I've ever bothered with static before, even when building computers on my bedroom carpet! Never lost a component yet, but then you should all realise by now I'm not the last word in best practise!

But then I've never played with anything quite as micro-diddly as the roomba electronics before!