I recently performed some repairs on my ancient #Roomba.

Since the repairs I noticed a change in behaviour. It occasionally focuses on a particular section of floor. While doing so, a "dirt detect" light I never noticed before comes on.

The repairs I made had nothing to do with this function (I replaced a wheel motor). I *think* I inadvertently wiped clean the "dirt detect" sensors.

There's irony there, right? My cleaning robot was so dirty it didn't function properly.

If you're not a professional don't try this at home, I'm an idiot but my house is fire resistant.

I had a battery failure on my sweeping machine, it turns out there's an 18650 4s 1p cell cluster held in a plastic holder in this case. I removed the top of the case with a thin paint scraper and after carefully cutting the back of the case off I was able to get the cell cluster out I found the cells to be at 3.2v, the BMS has shut them down for safety.

I by passed the bms and charged the cells up to 80%, without reassembling the case I put the cell cluster back in the sweeper and screwed the cover shut. It's run 6 cycles without failure.

I noted that this is the small battery, there's an upgrade (not available in #puertorico) battery the robot can accept that's 4s2p cell cluster giving it a longer working range, of course I have a few 4s2p clusters with BMS, in the wrong form factor.. but that's why we invented battery welders and 3d printers.. right?

#irobot #roomba #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle #3d

The White Noise Roomba

Some people like to listen to music but those people don’t like to use headphones or earphones. The result is that you hear it, whether you want to. That’s why, sometimes, instead of using a fan for white noise, I use a roomba.

Roomba White Noise

The Roomba as white noise serves two purposes. The first is that it masks all sources of noise pollution and the second is that it covers the noise pollution from people listening to music without earphones, headphones or other.

When we all lived in houses we could all listen to music. We had thick walls separating us from neighbours, if not gardens with trees, and distance. Now, with densification, we live on top of each other, and that living on top of each other means that one person’s music is another person’s noise pollution.

If you’re focused on writing, or some other mental activity, then you are more attuned to the noise pollution. I often use a fan for white noise and if that doesn’t work then I flee, going for a walk.

Within the current context I am waiting for the car’s electrical fault to be diagnosed so I am stuck in another location. In this location I use a roomba, rather than a fan.

I suspect that Roomba hasn’t been exploring for weeks, or even months in this place. I noticed a few dead flies by a window. Roomba has now hoovered them up, and in the process provided me with the white noise I needed to write.

It’s amusing, because I’m the type to use airpods or other technology to watch TV. When I notice that I can hear neighbours I am far more careful about being quiet. I try to be sympathetic, by not imposing myself on others. I wish others thought like this.

Wall Banging

It is kind of ironic that the sound of a roomba banging against walls, chairs, and various wooden objects is more convivial than the noise of music, muffled by walls and other obstacles.

Necessary

I didn’t start a timer to see how long it is running for. In my experience if Roomba finds dirt it keeps running until it doesn’t find any, or its battery runs low. Today running Roomba is entirely justified.

And Finally

In practice fleeing to coworking spaces would be the best solution. This morning I am typing on an English UK keyboard and theoretically I have four hours of battery life. That’s convenient enough to consider using it in a coworking space, to escape noise pollution, by escaping to a place that has a different noise landscape.

In theory I will ride twenty six kilometres with a group, and then sit down, have breakfast, and after that co-work.

Arvosteluputkestamme tupsahti tällä kertaa hieman edullisemman esteitä väistelevän, moppaavan roboimurin arvostelu

Roomba 505 Combo+ on noin 400-500e hintalapulla varsin pätevä työjuhta, joka ei juurikaan kompastele lattialle unohtuneisiin esteisiin.

https://dawn.fi/uutiset/2026/03/15/roomba-505-combo-plus-arvostelu

#roomba #robottiimuri #roboimuri #arvostelu #uutiset #irobot #roomba505 #teknologia #tekniikka

Welp, the iRobot J7 broke again. Same bumper. Same spot, so I'm giving up and going to sell it on Ebay for parts.

Glad I didn't get rid of my i4. That baby, though an older model, has lasted almost 3 years with almost no issues. Plus it's better for privacy.

Putting this out there so you all know that the newer iRobot models have been so incredibly enshittified.

#irobot #roomba #HouseholdAppliances #vacuum #technology #enshittification

I have an #iRobot #Roomba i5+ vacuum/mop that I purchased May 2025 for my office. At some point it lost its connection with my WiFi network, and I have been utterly unable to restore it. Plus iRobot declared bankruptcy. So.....

I'm getting a different vacuum. I will be selling the (very lightly used) i5+ and a box of supplies for it for some fraction of what I paid. As is. Maybe you can get it to work. Maybe you can strip it and sell the parts on eBay.

If you are in the #PDX area, you can jump on it before I actually post it on Craigslist. Send me a message if you are interested.

Roomba Error 14? Here’s the Real Fix 🔧

If your Roomba keeps saying “Reinstall Bin,” don’t panic. Error 14 usually means dirty bin contacts or a seating issue—not a broken robot. Clean the metal contacts, check the filter, and reset if needed. Works for i7, s9, j7 & 600 series.

#Roomba #iRobot

https://www.izoate.com/blog/roomba-error-14-fix-how-to-solve-reinstall-bin-on-i7-s9-j7-600-series/

Apparently the combined team of Silicon Valley Hackers has been eliminated from the Winter Olympic Curling event!

They were caught modifying the curling stones to incorporate Roombas 😉

#Olympics #Curling #Roomba #Hacking

I finally bit the bullet and reached outside of the iRobot robovac ecosystem and picked up a Roborock Saros 10...

I've been using Roombas for a while now. Moving from the old-style "bounce randomly around the room" versions to the camera-based "map out your room and navigate nicely" was a big upgrade, but going from the camera-based Roomba to the LiDAR-based Roborock seems like a significant step up again. The map from the Roborock seemed just instantly more accurate than the Roomba ones ever were, and it also seems like the Roborock does a much better job not smashing into every wall all the time.

All that, plus the Roborock does mopping as well, which seems to do a good job (or at least, good enough for my eyes). Keeping the hardwood squeaky clean is a nice step up as well!

AAAAAANNNNNDDDD on top of all of that, the Roborock integration in Home Assistant seems really great too!

#irobot #roomba #Roborock #roborocksaros10 #HomeAssistant

@alice @scottwilson @semitones

My Roomba (so old it does not connect to the Internet) would be better than The Fat Guy.

Both just bump around until they need to nap/recharge.

But at least my Roomba does something useful.

#Trump #Roomba