Weird Problem using Pin 1 or 2 for unregulated power

[jt3w]

Good day, I am new here

The project I am doing is connecting my wrt54g to my 4270 roomba via 3.3v serial. I am not to much a hardware guy as much as I am a programmer. But I do enjoy working with the hardware and then programming at low level to interface with it.

The Problem:

My router goes into boot cycle just fine volts are at 15.67 then at the same time every time. the router turns off and then the multimeter displays 2.7v. Anyone have any ideas? I am using pin 1 Vpwr Roomba battery + (unregulated) which is 16v out.

I have tried using pin 1 and 2 together and that did not help.
I have tried hooking the router directly to the battery. And that works, but I cant do that in reality. (just to test if the battery was the problem)

Does anyone have any idea what this is happening?

P.S Please don't just say, "why dont you just go out and buy a pre made wifi adapter" or anything like that. I am doing this because I have random electronics around the house and I had a pretty cool idea to do something with them.

Thanks in advance! I really hope you guys can help me.

[mfortuna]

What voltage does the router normally expect? 16V may be too high if it is a 12V router. I think Gordon determined there is actually a polyfuse on the VBATT pins so you may be causing an overcurrent condition with the router. You could try running wires directly to the battery but I would still be concerned about 16V being too high. Note it would be difficult to get a regulator that could provide 12V over the full battery voltage range. You could try a couple diode drops (1.2V) to see if that helps. But the roomba may still want to work at 12V were the router may not like 10.8V.

[jt3w]

What voltage does the router normally expect? 16V may be too high if it is a 12V router. I think Gordon determined there is actually a polyfuse on the VBATT pins so you may be causing an overcurrent condition with the router. You could try running wires directly to the battery but I would still be concerned about 16V being too high. Note it would be difficult to get a regulator that could provide 12V over the full battery voltage range. You could try a couple diode drops (1.2V) to see if that helps. But the roomba may still want to work at 12V were the router may not like 10.8V.

the router has regulators on it, it can handle 5-22v. but it needs 500ma. There is a dam 72v, 250ma re-settable fuse in series on line im trying to draw power from (I believe anyways). so when the router turns on its wireless after full boot the fuse flips on the roombas motherboard making my router shut off. Any idea on to bypass that dam fuse? Thanks for the help!

[jt3w]

P.S Live free or die brother!

[mfortuna]

So you know the NH state motto! From the area?

BTW, for those who don't know it the NH license plates that have the "Live Free or Die" motto are made in the state pen by inmates. Talk about irony!

As I mentioned you could hook up directly to the battery. Pop off the bumper and you will see the battery contacts. Solder directly to them and you should be all set.

[jt3w]

So you know the NH state motto! From the area?

BTW, for those who don't know it the NH license plates that have the "Live Free or Die" motto are made in the state pen by inmates. Talk about irony!

As I mentioned you could hook up directly to the battery. Pop off the bumper and you will see the battery contacts. Solder directly to them and you should be all set.

Thanks ill give that a try and im from lake winni (alton)

[jt3w]

So you know the NH state motto! From the area?

BTW, for those who don't know it the NH license plates that have the "Live Free or Die" motto are made in the state pen by inmates. Talk about irony!

As I mentioned you could hook up directly to the battery. Pop off the bumper and you will see the battery contacts. Solder directly to them and you should be all set.

Thanks ill give that a try and im from lake winni (alton)

Is there a way to run a wire and still beable to close it up after?

[mfortuna]

Once you get the bumper cover off you should be able to run wires towards the back of the robot. Above the wheel well looks like a possibility. If you make a small hole you can run wires to exit near the SCI jack. You may have to do a little fishing to get the wires out that way. But you are probably used to fishing

[jt3w]

Im having trouble trying to remove this motherboard to do what your saying. I tried to remove one of the plugs on the mobo and broke one of the wires so im screwed now. it looks like the wire that leads to the front little wheel

[jt3w]

Here's the picture of the wire I broke

[mfortuna]

I can't see what is broke there. You should be able to fix it, just a few days a user managed to fix a broken wire on a connector. I forgot you need to remove a black plastic cover to get at the battery terminals. Remove two screws and the contacts are visible. You can also splice into the battery wires.

[jt3w]

I can't see what is broke there. You should be able to fix it, just a few days a user managed to fix a broken wire on a connector. I forgot you need to remove a black plastic cover to get at the battery terminals. Remove two screws and the contacts are visible. You can also splice into the battery wires.

I fixed it and here's a pic of my new power cableright next to the cable I fixed im going to use the ground from the SCI port.