Neato XV-21 Won't Charge - Images included

[Icy0559]

Hi Robotreviews,

I've been lurking on the forum for a while and have been able to repair quite a few issues using the excellent guides and posts here. This time, though, I've run into a problem I haven't been able to resolve despite a lot of searching. My Neato XV-21 no longer appears to charge, and none of the symptoms quite line up with similar issues others have had.

I recently installed a new battery, which arrived with about a 20% charge. Unfortunately, it hasn’t gone above that since installation. I’ve attached screenshots showing the NeatoToolio power screen while connected to both the USB and (newly purchased) charging dock. I’ve also included photos of the main board in case something visually obvious stands out...maybe someone more experienced can spot a component that needs replacing?

I have two docks. The original dock fluctuates between 0.0V and 20.0V on NeatoToolio. The second dock, which I purchased recently, holds steady in the 9.x V range with only slow, minor fluctuations. Based on what I’ve read here, I believe that may be normal for a working dock.

I also tried plugging the charger from inside the original dock directly into the Neato’s power port. That didn’t result in any charging either. No matter what I try, NeatoToolio continues to show “Charger mAH” as 0.

If anyone has any suggestions or can point me in the right direction, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

For what it's worth, currently I have the batteries completely removed from the device since I have no (working) way to charge them, and I can only turn the device on when the batteries are installed.

[CodaCM]

Welcome to RobotReviews!

I know this is a simple question, but did you try running the battery calibration? (eg. new battery button) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO6eJX6U5-c

[Icy0559]

Welcome to RobotReviews!

I know this is a simple question, but did you try running the battery calibration? (eg. new battery button) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO6eJX6U5-c

You better believe I did. But I couldn't get to step 2 where you "charge the battery" lol.

[Icy0559]

Just ordered a new circuit board off eBay. That has not fixed the issue, nor seemingly changed anything.

According to NeatoToolio, the two chargers that I use act as follows:

Old charger: Stays at ~5v, never switches "ChargingActive" to on.
New charger jumps between: 23v, 9v, 5v, 2v, then back up to 23v. When it drops to 2v, it changes "ChargingActive" to off.

I've attached two images to sort'a show what's going on. I cannot figure out what the heck would get this poor thing to charge.

Any suggestions on molex chargers that I can charge the individual batteries if I cannot get this poor boy to charge? It still works fine, the batteries just don't charge while in the machine.

[CodaCM]

Just ordered a new circuit board off eBay. That has not fixed the issue, nor seemingly changed anything.

According to NeatoToolio, the two chargers that I use act as follows:

Old charger: Stays at ~5v, never switches "ChargingActive" to on.
New charger jumps between: 23v, 9v, 5v, 2v, then back up to 23v. When it drops to 2v, it changes "ChargingActive" to off.

I've attached two images to sort'a show what's going on. I cannot figure out what the heck would get this poor thing to charge.

Any suggestions on molex chargers that I can charge the individual batteries if I cannot get this poor boy to charge? It still works fine, the batteries just don't charge while in the machine.

At this point if it’s not the charger or Mobo then it’s probably the batteries.

[Icy0559]

Just ordered a new circuit board off eBay. That has not fixed the issue, nor seemingly changed anything.

According to NeatoToolio, the two chargers that I use act as follows:

Old charger: Stays at ~5v, never switches "ChargingActive" to on.
New charger jumps between: 23v, 9v, 5v, 2v, then back up to 23v. When it drops to 2v, it changes "ChargingActive" to off.

I've attached two images to sort'a show what's going on. I cannot figure out what the heck would get this poor thing to charge.

Any suggestions on molex chargers that I can charge the individual batteries if I cannot get this poor boy to charge? It still works fine, the batteries just don't charge while in the machine.

At this point if it’s not the charger or Mobo then it’s probably the batteries.

I'd be inclined to believe that except this was happening on the original (now dead) batteries, the first replacement, and the second replacement that I'm currently using and desperately trying to keep charged. x_x

[CodaCM]

I’m wondering if something is majorly wrong. Maybe your old mobo was killing the batteries. Neatos are weird little robots