Advice, please, 560 - lazy beast.

[Veronica L]

I'm back.
After delousing my brushes and finding a nice plug of hair in the gears we had a few runs which went as normal.
However, Roomba was reluctant to obey the clean button and leap into action on one run and damn stubborn after that. Took a lot of 'clean button' jabbing to raise a bleep and longer to get it moving.
This morning the Beasty refuses to move, full stop.

Can you boffins suggest a logical first stage check? In normal electrical matters it always seems to be a mechanical switch that goes first and often there is a simple fix.
Please roll out the simple fix, bearing in mind I have never taken 'that' part to bits yet.
Pictures would be appreciated; I can find none online that looks anything like my 560.

Veronica -sitting with her screwdriver in her hand.

[Hilly]

As it is a 560 with scheduling I would first suggest setting up a start time and seeing if that operates as normal,

If it does start the clean cycle then it could be a mechanical button failure or at least allow a better direction to head regards diagnostics

Hilly

[mfortuna]

It does sound like you have an issue with a switch contact. Have you tried doing a search? I'm pretty sure someone else had an issue like this with a 5xx. The switches are mounted on the controller board so you will probably have to take it apart.

[Veronica L]

As it is a 560 with scheduling I would first suggest setting up a start time and seeing if that operates as normal,
If it does start the clean cycle then it could be a mechanical button failure or at least allow a better direction to head regards diagnostics

Hilly

Ooooo! Now That makes sense. I have never used the scheduler so it never entered my head.
I will away and see what happens. )

Veronica L

[bhylak]

Yes, there could be dust packed in there. Seems logical. Start dis-assembling it from the bottom and id plenty on gof you need a guide I think there is one here on google. Once you tear it down to the control panel it is fairly easy. Just make sure the wire is all the way in, Then, I guess it is possible to open the control panel, but it may be easier to buy a broken 560 on ebay and salvage the control panel.

[bhylak]

And yes, if you have the scheduler remote you should see if you can control it. If not it is (most likely) the MCU. If so it is the control panel (Or some type of contact/connection error).

[mfortuna]

The control panel is just buttons and posts, the switches are on the main controller board.

[bhylak]

I know, but their still could be dust in-between...

Ok so I didn't know, thanks!

[Veronica L]

As it is a 560 with scheduling I would first suggest setting up a start time and seeing if that operates as normal,
If it does start the clean cycle then it could be a mechanical button failure or at least allow a better direction to head regards diagnostics

Hilly

Ooooo! Now That makes sense. I have never used the scheduler so it never entered my head.
I will away and see what happens.

We have lift off!! Roomba dashed away on the dot of 5:30 and is now attempting to eat its way through a table leg.
So it is a dodgy switch/contact. Okay. Right.. Ummmmm... What now?

Stage two: rip its guts out.

This can wait until tomorrow. It looks as though The Man will be in bed for a few days so I can become Practical Woman again without his interference. I will also be able to watch the TV without hours of soccer! Look on the bright side, I say.

More anon. Veronica L.

[vic7767]

Stage two: rip its guts out.

Here's a link to a How to Disassemble your 500: http://vic7767-robotmods.blogspot.com/

[Veronica L]

Stage two: rip its guts out.

Here's a link to a How to Disassemble your 500: http://vic7767-robotmods.blogspot.com/

Oh my life! I am not THAT practical.

I will have to think about this. If I kill it I will never hear the end of it.
I will get back to you, one way or the other...

Veronica L

[bhylak]

Try sending it to ProTech for a repair if you are intimidated by opening it up.
It is actually very easy but buy (if you don't have one) one of those screw rescue things. (Basically a magnet on the end of a small telescoping pole.) I have dropped a screw behind the gear brush desk so many times and it helps get it out.

Is it under warranty?

[Veronica L]

Try sending it to ProTech for a repair if you are intimidated by opening it up.
It is actually very easy but buy (if you don't have one) one of those screw rescue things. (Basically a magnet on the end of a small telescoping pole.) I have dropped a screw behind the gear brush desk so many times and it helps get it out.

Is it under warranty?

Not any more, and yes I do have a full set of interesting little twisters and grabbers thanks to tearing computers apart without a second thought. A dab of blutack on the end of a prodder also works wonders with dropped screws. (so does picking up the offending article with a scream and shaking it over your head).

I haven't given up yet but all investigations into the gizzards of my Roomba are on hold. The Man decided to get a nice infection which resulted in full bed care - not an easy job at the best of times - but the anitibiotics are working if his grumbling and grouching this morning are anything to go by.
Practical Woman wanted plenty of spare time while she took the R to bits in case she lost track and everything turned pear-shaped.

Veronica L

[bhylak]

Well from my experience this is much more easier to open up than your average Laptop.

[vic7767]

then your average Laptop.

"than"

[Veronica L]

Stage two: rip its guts out.

Here's a link to a How to Disassemble your 500: http://vic7767-robotmods.blogspot.com/

Well this is all very interesting; since I waved my screwdrivers about in a threatening manner the center button is behaving perfectly and the voice has returned. Mind, we all know even a joggle or a small drop might be enough to either loosen a connection or knock it back into place.

However... Now the Beastie is stopping at too frequent intervals complaining about embrangled brushes and there is usually another very hard, compacted mass of hair round one or both of the ... thingies. Cleaning results in a continuation of the run until the R docks again. Perhaps this will ease up once the grey cat hairs are all slooped up again.

And once again, I am having a great deal of trouble removing trapped hairs that get wedged in between the larger of the brush holders (containing the square hole) and the side of the chassis. Not trapped round the brush itself. Reiterate: this is extra hair other than the plugs formed round the brush spindles. The hair is stuck tight. Even good grip with pliers doesn't remove it all. Don't like to poke too hard lest I dent or mangle the plastic sides holding the brush bracket.

I understand a new black brush assembly has some sort of guard against hairy incursions; would this solve this problem?

Veronica L

[mfortuna]

What you are experiencing is hair getting between the gear and brush deck. Eventually the inside of your gearbox will fill up and seize. You may want to look into buying one of vic7767's CHMs or doing the work yourself. There is a sticky for that under green CHM mod.

I threaten my roombas all the time with tools. It doesn't help!

[bhylak]

Yes, I too have tried threatening my Roombas and Computers with tools and it doesn't work! Tell us your secret!

Yes a modified Cleaning Head Module (CHM) will fix that problem. That isn't related to your previous problem, that is just an annoying thing iRobot STILL hasn't fixed. Wait a minute, maybe you can try waving your screw driver at Collin! Of course I am not responsible for the consequences!

[vic7767]

I understand a new black brush assembly has some sort of guard against hairy incursions; would this solve this problem?

Although the Black CHM contains 2 shielded ball bearings, they are subject to eventually fail do to the entry of hair and debris similar to the earlier Red CHM and the later Green CHM. The best resolve is to obtain a modified CHM that contains the Sealed ball bearing mod.

[Veronica L]

Yes, I too have tried threatening my Roombas and Computers with tools and it doesn't work! Tell us your secret!

I am afraid I cannot do that without breaking the dreadful oath of the red-hot nail-clippers taken at the entry to the fifteenth level - unless of course you know the correct reply to: 'the Wombat flies at dawn...'
Meanwhile I advise you to start at a simpler level: 'how to influence your internal combustion engine by threats alone' and work your way up to level twenty-one: 'how to control your cat.'

This morning I discovered the Roomba has a hidden talent for modern interactive art after leaving a large opened bag of jelly beans on the floor, by my chair.
After this morning's call to unclog the brushes I nearly had a fit. Beans were scattered in a randomish - though pleasing - arc over the carpet and against the sides of units. No nook or cranny was left empty or unbeaned. The poor bag was in the center of the rug, mangled... I must applaud the tenderness shown to the beans themselves: none were squashed.

I am dubious about the sealed bearing unit as it looks as though it requires mods to the case... chassis... whatever. And I can't find a picture of what a brush assembly looks like. I can find it in print but pictures there are none.
The man is downstairs again and glaring at the Beasty, as it bleeps and complains, and he objects to it running while Radio 3 is on. Will this be the first case of a Roomba being used as a blunt instrument? I ask myself.

Veronica L