Botvac D85 - Battery Issue 0010

[Tris]

Hi All,

Just picked up a faulty D85 for spares but I thought I'd at least have a go at fixing it first!

From what I can make out, error 0010 means that the robot cannot detect battery parameters, such as voltage, current, temperature, etc.

Just after powering it up, I get the following sensor readings in Neato Control:

BatteryVoltage mV=12851
BatteryCurrent mA=0
BatteryTemperature mC=22000
ThermistorPresent 1

After a short while, it changes to:

BatteryVoltage mV=12851
BatteryCurrent mA=0
BatteryTemperature mC=2147483647
ThermistorPresent 0

From this point, the values never change. Based on other people's readouts, I believe that mV=12851 and vC=22000 are just program variable defaults (which are roughly the expected values) and are updated as soon as the system knows better from the sensors.

I followed the PCB traces from the battery thermistor connection to U4, which is a MAX17047 "ModelGauge m3 Fuel Gauge". This i2c device is also capable of voltage and current readings so my current best guess at the moment is that this component is the culprit.


Has anyone else had error 0010 on a Botvac before?

[Tris]

Oh well, I guess no-one else has had this error. I'll post an update if I manage to fix it...

[LazyRoomba]

No idea. Check the wiring within the robot. Neato doesn't seem to be able to detect the current. Also try replacing the batteries and checking the connectors, 13 volts is a little too low.

[vic7767]

The Neato Control data seems to be able to detect battery voltage but not the thermistor. It may be just a poor connection at the plug and jack battery connector.

[Tris]

The battery connections test out fine so it's definitely a board fault. Time to try a replacement U4, I think.

Wish me luck...

[Medtech]

long overdue, but it is only the beginning, the battery also has its own controller i2с which reports on its data bus.

[Medtech]

unfortunately does not always help, this is the third controller that 2-3 hours of work goes down the channel temperature sensor, already more than a week I pick this card, it is easier to replace a new one.

[Tris]

long overdue, but it is only the beginning, the battery also has its own controller i2с which reports on its data bus.

I thought it was just the Lithium battery for the Connected that has the I2C chip in it.
My D85 is running a NiMH pack with just the power and thermistor wires present.

Anyway, a new U4 is worth a shot. Hopefully I'll be able to get the new chip soldered on over the weekend.

[glnc222]

Find Maxim MAX17047 at Octoparts.com database. Seems Avnet has an exclusive on small orders, unusual.
(but see Mouser following post)

[edit] European users might want AliExpress for cheaper shipping than U.S. international postage.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-sh ... 0.0.MnyGuq

[vic7767]

Mouser also now has stock for the LI-ion charging controller and can be found here:
http://www.mouser.com/Maxim-Integrated/ ... 8hZ1yz3sqo

[Tris]

I ordered some new chips from Mouser a few days ago and they were waiting for me when I got home today.
I spent the evening fitting one and I'm pleased to report that this D85 is now a runner!

Ok, it's a bit of a mess but it's the first time I've attempted hot air rework at home with a limited toolset.
It took several attempts until I devised a suitable method!

If anyone is wondering about that diode, it's to replace one on the back of the board which was reading open circuit.

[glnc222]

Sparkfun hobby supply carries a hot air station tool $115 https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10706 with video demo of use. For all those SMD (surface mount soldered, without pins) you need to repair. I guess it can release all the contacts at once. I gather such things are manufactured using solder paste applied through a stencil and a precisely controlled oven (versus the wave flow soldering machine for whole board through-hole soldering old fashioned boards).
[edit] half price stations on ebay.

[shirgal]

Well done Tris

[BrianD]

Tris that is very impressive. The alignment is very good.

I also have a Botvac 85 with a battery related problem and had also concluded the 17047 is at fault. Thank you for providing the aliexpress link. I have just ordered one. My crude sketch of the circuitry is below.

While our Botvac was out of service I purchased another. It Is interesting to see that the new unit operates a different cleaning strategy which is better and quicker.

The old unit software is 1,1,97 The new unit is 1,2,1.
Do you know if it is easy to extract the hex data and replace in the old unit?

Botvac 85

[Tris]

Hi Brian,

I suppose that if you could identify the flash chip and hook it up to a suitable reader then you might have a slim chance, but there's no guarantee it would work. Personally, I wouldn't want to risk it.

Unfortunately, I don't think any user upgradeable firmware updates have ever been released for the Botvac series apart from the Connected.

BTW, both my D85s are running 1.2.1

[Tris]

I'm also happy to report that the repair is holding up well. I've run several cleaning cycles from the dock and not one issue. Diagnostic readings are all as expected.

[glnc222]

Were programming errors, bugs, responsible for error messages every unit sold would be reported defective. Temporary conditions can sometimes be cleared by rebooting -- just like a PC. The error msgs are signs of hardware defects, ranging from bad batteries, connectors, to components on the system board. Updating software is not likely to help. We are fortunate to have a few bits of hardware analyzed by interested professionals.