Neato XV-11 ... No Worky ... Solved!

[eBoon]

Hello everyone,

I have come across a broken XV-11 (found it a garage sale). Seems to charge just fine, display works - but when I hit the big orange button to start it up, Neato does not move. Display toggles between RPS Error, My left wheel is stuck and My right wheel is stuck.

I have one operating Neato and figured I would pick this up if for nothing else than to have parts (got it fairly cheap). Anyone have any advice on what might be wrong? I'm pretty handy with electronics -so thought I might just tear it down to see if I notice anything obviously wrong with the unit. Wheels seem to move freely.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Tom

[vic7767]

With both wheel tachs failing as well as the Lidar unit you might want to open that XV-11 and look for possible loose connectors. I suspect that the MCU has issues.

[eBoon]

MCU - is that the main board? If yes, any hope for this thing?

Thanks

[vic7767]

The MCU is the Micro Controller Unit sometimes in the past it was called the CPU (Central Processor Unit). It is mounted on the PCAB (Printed Circuit Assembly Board) inside the XV-11. You can always purchase a new PCAB to replace the one inside your XV-11.

[eBoon]

I pulled everything apart and when looking at the main board connections I have a question - there seems to be a connection that does not have a corresponding connector. See this picture (from a different neato - not mine) to see what I mean:

Full picture here---> http://dl.dropbox.com/u/58041771/DSC00242.JPG <---Full picture here



Anyone know what this connection is supposed to do? Maybe I have a later model (or earlier model) that does not make use of it?

Thanks for your help,

Tom

[glnc222]

see "Neato Construction Revisions 2011" http://www.robotreviews.com/chat/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=15940

The computer can be programmed to use the connectors in different ways as revisions are made to what connects to it. Each of the connectors has a sort of general purpose quality. There's a kind of leap frog where the wheels or something can be redesigned and eliminating one connection, then the system board gets revised later to eliminate the unused socket. The newest main boards are different than the old XV-11's and cannot be used in those systems. They even require a different software program to use their different connectors. Vic mentioned once that particular connector empty on the XV-11 was originally for a motor temperature sensor line I think, and they combined it with something else or whatever. The original system had an internal connector for an RS-232 serial communications port pararelling the USB, but that is now gone or at least changed to a board edge connector instead of a socket. See Vic7767 posts for pics.

Caution that empty socket is easily confused with the Lidar plug the same size, when assembling.

There's a bit of illusion in these little low power devices appearing to require simpler parts than a big machine like a car, but it's interesting they get quite complex with temperature sensors and the like, putting so much power releative to the size.

[glnc222]

I'm told RPS errors originate in the Lidar unit with it's own processor of sorts, so that part would have to be tested in another working system or a test bed. The bulk of the value otherwise is in the main board. People buy these vacuums wholesale just to remove the lidar for other purposes.

[eBoon]

Thank you for the explanation and the link glnc222! I have ordered a new board - I'll report back when I get it installed. Hoping that's the fix.

Merry Christmas All!

Tom

[glnc222]

For DIY work Disassembly Precautions http://www.robotreviews.com/chat/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=16021
admittedly verbose. Site isn't organized as a reference guide, thought would mention.

[eBoon]

Got my new mainboard today - swapped it out and presto! - working neato!

Thanks all for your help!

Tom

[glnc222]

Any recommendation where to get those parts?

[vic7767]

I've got most of the parts for the XV-11 earlier models.