Asked
Resolved by proteusy!
I printed the extra storage container on the roomba but when I went to install it I had to remove the guts of the robot. Now wondering do I just cut it all out (I assume the robot will know as there is a sensor board in the bottom so do I connect it all back in again? There are a bunch of fans motors speaker but I won't be using any of them any more. Does the Roomba Movement Panel still work ok and does it self doc etc after you remove these components or do you need to somehow make the robot think the sensors and actuators are still there and let it go through the motions?
Related Hardware Roomba
Related Control
iRobot Roomba Movement Panel
Not sure about self docking, but we have the motors and stuff removed on our exosphere roomba with no trouble.
might be a good idea to simply unplug the stuff that you’re going to remove as a test first. Everything is connected with plugs on the roomba pcb
I think you will just end up like a create roomba as was sent to me with empty brush bin no motor there.Will still seek dock charger. Funny because I did the opposite, I bought a new roller brush to add on my Create roomba!xD
Nink, just open the bottom lid and unplug the motors. It will auto-dock.
I like the extra castor - that must make a great difference
Nink, I had to remove my 4th wheel on my 1st Gen Create, to get it to dock because it would not tilt back enough during docking. Maybe your unit will work, maybe at a different height? I will have to reinstall it when I put a robot back onto the Create, because it provides much better stability.
proteusy, I don't see a 4th wheel on your unit. Did you add one? Steve S
Yep, you can distribute the load all over the robot and it wont wobble.
Nink, even more space with the brushes and motors removed, maybe print a larger box. I like the extra castor!!
While on the roomba subject does anyone have enough knowledge of the motherboard to know if there there is a way to tag power from it only when the roomba is on? This would allow the roomba scheduling to power on the micro controller, which would boot up and take control via the serial connection. With the brushes removed it wouldn't be a problem that the roomba started first on a short cleaning cycle. It would then be possible to re-schedule the next start (via the serial) before telling the roomba to dock and powering off the controller.
skidroe, i have a cable to the battery soldering points. It has the roomba battery voltage all time.
Thanks for info everyone and @proteusy for confirmation I can remove the parts. I may do a mod to the print because when Amazon shipped me the caster they sent me 2 ? So I am wondering if I should do a larger bin and 2 casters on the back to distribute weight better. Long term I would like to explore a serving tray robot and that is a lot of weight to move.
proteusy, Yes I may well end up using that option with a voltage regulator and some sort of timing circuit, but it would be easier to use the roomba's inbuilt scheduling. I am using the 520 model which doesn't have the scheduling or clock buttons but both of these facilities are still available on the motherboard (must be on all the 500 series) and can be accessed via the serial interface.
Nink, keep us posted on your progress it sounds like a good project. Is it for transporting alcohol by any chance?