Problems with the dock and the clock

[comapro]

Hello,

I've had my XV-11 for 2 weeks now and run it every day. I've only had it successfully dock once. Most of the time it gets really close then says I need to clear a path for it. Sometimes it goes up to the dock then pushes the dock high up against the wall and doesn't make contact. Sometimes it just pushes itself over the dock and doesn't make contact. I've tried moving the dock to another location as well. Any tips on getting this to work?

Also my clock has reset twice for some reason and then the XV-11 doesn't run on schedule. Is there a known cause for this? Is it due to it maybe not docking and the battery dying? I notice that it still retains the schedule, it's just that the clock needs to be set again.

[neato]

Your description of your Neato's behaviour could have several overlapping causes. Without seeing your Neato run it is difficult to determine their interaction.

The Neato asking for the path to be cleared indicates it is having difficulty navigating though out the run, not just while docking. This can happen if the Neato gets stuck and cannot move smoothly through the area. Check that it is not getting hung up or trapped while cleaning.

Pushing the base indicates the contacts on the back of the Neato are not touching the contacts on the base correctly. Try pushing the Neato back until it just touches the base and check that it starts charging. Adjust the angle and height of the base so it consistently makes contact.

When the batteries run down the Neato will do a Shutdown command to protect them. That disconnects the batteries which causes the clock to be reset to 00:00.

[comapro]

Thanks for your reply neato. The XV-11 was not getting stuck or trapped anywhere. I am actually impressed by how well it navigates around things without getting stuck or trapped. It's just when getting back to the dock, it would get to about 6-10 inches within reach of it and then get confused. I moved the base 2 more times and found a spot where it has been able to dock successfully 2 days in a row. I also taped the base to the wall and put some weight on top of it and this seems to have resolved the problem with XV-11 trying to either push up on the base or roll over it.

[djos]

One trick I found that works even better than tape is to grab a pencil eraser (rectangular type) and cut it to the length of the gap between the wall and the back of the base - then use some double sided tape to attach it to the back of the base and place it firmly against the wall.

This eliminates the need to stick the Neato base to the wall with 3M picture hangers or double sided tape and ensures the Neato cannot drive over its dock.

[piokrza]

I put a small (white) carton box between the wall (white) and the base. It works good and looks quite nice

[neato]

What you have done is influence the vertical alignment and angle of the base relative to the Neato. The base is now in an alignment with the contacts of the Neato so that both of them touch at the same instant. That will make the Neato stop backing up as it is docking.

Some users have added the right length spacer behind the base to accomplish the same thing.

The Neato will return to the starting location if it has not registered the location of the base during cleaning. Since it starts at the base it will return to the base and stop without docking.

You could test this by starting the Neato in a room away from the base. If it returns to the starting point it is not finding the base.

[djos]

What you have done is influence the vertical alignment and angle of the base relative to the Neato. The base is now in an alignment with the contacts of the Neato so that both of them touch at the same instant. That will make the Neato stop backing up as it is docking.

Some users have added the right length spacer behind the base to accomplish the same thing.

Yep, that's what I was describing in my post above.

Neato really should have an adjustable spacer on the back of the base as standard as most folk have fairly short or fancy skirting boards that allow the base to rock backwards on Neato attempting to dock.

[pjnagel]

Neato really should have an adjustable spacer on the back of the base as standard

And the should redesign the actual physical docking of the next version of the robot to be more tolerant of docking stations that are not perpendicular to the floor.

[piokrza]

Neato really should have an adjustable spacer on the back of the base as standard as most folk have fairly short or fancy skirting boards that allow the base to rock backwards on Neato attempting to dock.

Just like Electrolux Trilobite.

[djos]

Neato really should have an adjustable spacer on the back of the base as standard as most folk have fairly short or fancy skirting boards that allow the base to rock backwards on Neato attempting to dock.

Just like Electrolux Trilobite.

Exactly.