Powerbot Brush Noise Source and Maintenance

[glnc222]

After running 300 times over a couple years the combo blade and bristle brush proved to be the source of sudden unusual grinding noise when running, louder than usual. It turned out a thick black layer of hard material had built up over time on all the ribs and edges of plastic exposed to the brush, having to be sort of scraped off with detergent or alcohol. Not clear whether the origin is the rubber brush blades themselves or just the carpet environment and a black sort of dust here, though these are what makes noise rubbing obstacles. Maintenance should be needed only at long intervals maybe annual.

The Powerbot is normally one of the most quiet vacuum robots available.

[piokrza]

Yes, I had experienced the same dirt built up on Navibot, Roomba and Neato plastic/rubber brush parts and squeegee. More frequent rug/carpet and floor washing helps a lot

[glnc222]

Problem More Severe -- lube the brush drive bushing

The rattling noise turned out to be the square socket drive pulley in a dry wide bushing, needing lube on both the insides and on the inside facing which can touch the side of the belt pulley.
Apply silicone grease (petroleum products can damage plastic), in little tubes for cameras, o-rings etc.

To access open the front case with four screws on the bottom, two under the brush.
Inside release two screws on top of the black sensor assembly cover which fits over the brush motor on the side.
Remove single screw holding the brush motor and belt drive in the front. Lift the sensor assembly and lift up the motor to pull to the side slightly (unplug the top motor cable; another cable underneath soldered to motor going to a board plug, so don't pull motor out too far). Then the transparent belt drive cover opens with two screws (drive and motor in single integrated housing).
Brush any black debris worn from the belt off the gear while at it -- there was very little. I think the pulley was rattling in the bushing hole, sticking slightly without grease, observable only at operating speed, not when turning by hand. Works quietly now. It took 300 runs (half hour each) to need lube.

When closing the front case the rear must be worked over the little boards sticking up on the sides in the rear.

[glnc222]

belt replacement

Just in case needed the brush drive belt is listed as a "timing belt" (as though for a car engine), part# 6602-002831 at samsungparts.com $8.95 http://www.samsungparts.com/partslist.aspx?Catalog=Parts_and_Accessories&Category=VR2AH9051UW%2fAA

After two years put one in just to be sure though no visible wear.