iRobot Advanced Power System Ni-MH Battery, 3000 mAh, 17373
by iRobot
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List Price: Our Price: $49.99 You Save: $20.00 (29%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $34.15 (click here) Category: Home See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of iRobot Advanced Power System Ni-MH Battery, 3000 mAh, 17373
Customer Review: Not all ROOMBA problems are (dead) battery related
Summary: 4 Stars
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.
NOTE: It may be necessary to do this 2 or 3 times (for a total of 9 days with no ROOMBA), but that time is cheaper than a replacement battery.
Magic. The battery went back to its 50+ minute running time for another 9-10 months or so. At that time I did the refresh thing again and got back to more that 40 minutes running time.
Finally, after a total of 3 refresh/reset cycles, the battery is just tuckered out and won't go longer than 8 minutes no matter what I do. And that's fine... I've had hundreds of good carpet-cleaning runs with the unit. Now, for about half the iRobot cost, I am ordering a new battery from Amazon and expect years of additional use from my ROOMBA.
So, for those who haven't tried this and find that even a new battery doesn't seem to make their ROOMBA run right, give the above a try. It not only does a refresh on the battery, it also resets the ROOMBA so it can take advantage of the power. Can't guarantee it for everyone, but it sure worked for me.
Customer Review: This Makes Three Batteries
Summary: 2 Stars
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 explain the fact that they keep producing defective batteries? As I said, in any other industry this would be enough cause for a recall.
On another note, the vacuum works great when it works. But we are now approaching the point in which we've paid more for the replacement batteries than we did for the entire vacuum package. Not good business and if this battery fails I will not buy another.
Customer Review: What can kill your battery!
Summary: 4 Stars
I have had a Roomba for almost five years now, and I have just ordered my fourth battery. The first one lasted about a year and a half, and so have all the others.
In the other reviews, one user told how to reset your battery charging circuit to help bring back an old battery. I am here to tell you how to keep your battery healthy, and why my batteries don't last as long as they should
We only use the Roomba about once a week or so. We also just use the charging station all the time. The problem is if someone knocks the unit off the charging station. Apparently, this really drains the battery, even if the unit isn't on. We put the charging station in the corner of our dining nook, but my wife goes back there to water the plants a couple of times a week, and she sometimes hits it. Also, we used to have a maid service that, for some reason, ALWAYS knocked the unit off the charger, and I didn't always remember to put it back on.
So, in summary, make sure that you don't know your Roomba off its charging station after it is charged. It also probably prefers to be used a little more often than just once a week.
Customer Review: This is the one to buy...make sure it's from Amazon
Summary: 5 Stars
Very happy with this battery. This is definitely the one to buy. It is the original iRobot battery, not a knockoff.
Make sure you understand how the charging system works and reset your Roomba and the plug in charger before you charge this new battery in it. Instructions are easily found at ( [..]) in the forums or by searching for 'reset roomba battery charge'.
I am ordering another one for my mother who prematurely killed her original battery by not using it properly.
I must admit that although I used my Roomba more than my mom, I also made mistakes and killed my own original battery prematurely as well. You must use the Roomba every other day or charge the battery to full and remove it from the Roomba to safely go more than 48 hours without using the battery and not damage it.
Now my Roomba is back as good as new, and I have educated myself on how to keep the battery at it's best for as long as possible. My Roomba does a great job (it is over 4 years old) and I am thrilled to have it once again on the job. My poor arthritic back thanks you Roomba.
Customer Review: Warning - I got a generic and not the manufacturer product pictured
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased on May 2, 2010, and at that time the product was being fulfilled by Alfaoutlet.
I received a generic product and not the manufacturer product pictured. It came with the comment, "Generic product. Higher capacity (3300 mAH). Better performance than original Roomba battery. Satisfaction Guaranteed. [...] Warranty: 6 months." It very much looks like the cheapest possible generic - screw heads aren't perfectly level, some of the philips heads are slightly stripped, the plastic feels cheaper/less sturdy, and feels lighter than the original manufacturer battery.
If I had wanted the generic one, I would have either bought from the many here that are advertised as such, either from a reputable generic, or paid less for a true cheapie.
I have no idea how well the generic will perform, but I bought this one here because I did not want to play generic roulette.
Possibly, since it looks like this is now being fulfilled by Amazon, they will give the real battery. I have no idea. Beware.