Scooba 380

[CactusJack]

I know that this is an old Scooba, but can the Scooba 380 communicate with the Open Interface or ROI in the old days with a serial cable?
Thanks,
Cactus

[vic7767]

The only Scooba model that has some of the OI commands is the 450. The earlier 3XX model Scoobas as well as the 5800 and 5900 do not have the OI firmware flash.

[CactusJack]

When I power up the Scooba with my serial cable attached, it shows the firmware version and date, using realterm. The only command that it recognizes is number 7. Is there anyway that the Scooba 380 can be flashed? For OI commands?

[vic7767]

The 7 is a master reset command and is not part of the 3 digit OI command set. iRobot never made an OSMO solution for adding OI capability for the 3XX model Scoobas.

[CactusJack]

Thanks for your help!

[CactusJack]

Out of curiosity, why did they include a RS232 port?
Cactus

[vic7767]

That port provides charging system reports, diagnostic testing results and is used to make changes to the firmware.

[CactusJack]

I bought a 450 Scooba. What I am hoping to do is interface a raspberry pi with a lidar unit. A few questions I hope that you can answer for me. Where is the rs232 port located at? Also, I am going to have to get a charger for the unit. I did manage to use the 380 charger and charge the battery externally. The battery seems to be holding a good charge, but I would like to make it a little more convenient. Would a 14.4 volt wall wart work ok. Being that the battery protection is built into the Scooba unit itself. I don't want to fry the motherboard though. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Cactus

[vic7767]

The SCI port is located under the Handle. The 450 uses the same battery as the 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 model Roombas. The 450 also uses the same power supply as those Roomba models.

[CactusJack]

Would you have the pin out on the mini usb that is being used?

Thanks,
Cactus

[vic7767]

Here's a URL to info on standard mini USB pinouts - https://www.arrow.com/en/research-and-e ... nd-pinouts

[CactusJack]

Using a usb cable, Scooba 450 will send out information on bootloader, firmware version over Putty or Real-term emulator. But does not recognize any ROI commands. It is connected to com port 3 on my computer. Any ideas what I need to do?
Thank you!

[vic7767]

Do you have a copy of the ROI pdf with the input commands? What commands did you send to the 450?

[CactusJack]

I tried sending command 128.
Cactus

[vic7767]

To test that the 450 is able to recognize any input try sending the master reset command 7 and see if the Scooba will reset. Then send the command 128, and then the Start command 135 and see if the Scooba will start cleaning.

[CactusJack]

I tried command 7 and the Scooba does not reset. Scooba does not acknowledge that it has received it. Real term shows that it is sending the data to Scooba and when I power up the Scooba, real term shows the firmware, bootloader, etc. I tried my FTDI serial cable also, but it would never connect.

[vic7767]

The 450 SCI com port gets locked up sometimes and the way to clear it is to pull the battery up just enough to break electrical contact and then plug it back in and secure the battery retainer. Then attempt the connection and commands again.

[CactusJack]

Didn't have any luck. Not sure that the 450 is ROI capable.

Cactus

[vic7767]

The Scooba 450 is equipped with the basic OI commands that allow some commands to be sent to the Scooba Serial Channel. I connected an Air Console unit that allows one to connect via wifi and have the ability to be UN-tethored while sending commands using Real Term. The 128 command wakes up the SCI and when the 135 command is sent, the Scooba starts a cleaning session. At the end of a cleaning session, I emptied the dirty tank, filled the clean tank again then sent the 128 command followed by the 135 command and sent the Scooba on a second cleaning cycle and was able to skip the battery recharging cycle completely.

I suspect there may be some hardware issue with the 450 you have. Possibly check continuity between the two cable ends you are using. It may be that the receive wire is open and the Scooba SCI cannot receive the commands.

There may be damage to the micro USB port under the Scooba handle preventing electrical contact.

[CactusJack]

Are you using a standard usb cable, or are you using a usb to using FTDI serial cable? I have tried both.