Not all ROOMBA problems are (dead) battery related
I have owned a ROOMBA Discovery for about 3 years and am just now finding it necessary to replace the battery. Sure, I had major problems like many others with short battery life beginning when the unit was about 14 months old.
I did a bit of research and found a discussion group that listed a good "try this before you panic" solution. Reset the ROOMBA and refresh the battery. And it worked! How?
Run the ROOMBA until the unit stops. Let it sit for about 15 minutes and try running it again. Do this until it no longer will start up. Then, remove the battery. Flip it over and hold down the POWER button for 20-25 seconds. Release. Flip back over and insert the battery. (I also took this opportunity to thoroughly clean all of the contacts with a Q-Tip and a little rubbing alcohol - letting it dry completely before putting the battery back in). Finally, I plugged the power supply directly into the ROOMBA (not the docking station) and let it charge for 3 days...
This Makes Three Batteries
I have now had to order my third battery for this Roomba. Like another poster the first one died within a year. This time it lasted about 1 1/2 years. At $50 a pop that is ridiculous and, after reading complaints here and on other sites, makes me wonder if it is planned that way, a vacuum conspiracy. As funny as that sounds, it is also based on experience. I have given two Roombas for Christmas presents and the same thing happened to them. They both went down before 6 months was up. I have yet to read a review in which the battery lasted more than a year. If this was a car company they would be under Federal investigation. They know they've got you over a barrel and I'd be willing to be that they earn the vast majority of their money through replacement batteries, etc.
Well, since the thing is worthless without it I am forced to buy yet another battery. That's three in less than three years. There's definitely something fishy going on here. How else can you...
Brought new life to my Roomba Discovery
After having my roomba for about 2 years, the battery got to the point where it only lasted about 10 minutes per charge. After trying the method by another reviewer to extend its life (a method which, for me, didn't do anything), I decided to fork out the money to buy a new one.
I couldn't be happier with my decision. Since replacing the battery, it's like I have a brand new roomba again. Rather than 10 minutes, it can go a few hours at a time before it gives up and goes to its dock for a recharge.
Click to Editorial Reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment