It is simple to perform a battery upgrade of the Create 2 battery on the JetsonBot. Looky here:
Battery Discussion
To extend the operating time of the iRobot Create 2 base, a battery with larger capacity may be added. iRobot makes the iRobot Roomba XLife Extended Life Battery
which is a good choice. The standard battery is a 14.4V, 3000 mAH battery, the XLife Extended promises ‘twice as many cleaning cycles’.
For the JetsonBot installation above, the Lithium Roomba Replacement Battery For iRobot Roomba 500, 600, 700 and 800 Series, 4400 mAH
was chosen. The Lithium Power solution promises longer operating time and battery life. The Lithium Power is a 14.4V, 4400 mAH battery.
In part the Lithium was chosen over the XLife because of the battery technologies. First, the XLife is a Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH)/Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) technology. This means that after 6 to 12 months of use there will be a decrease in operating time. These types of battery also have a memory effect. This means that it will gradually lose its maximum energy capacity if repeatedly recharged after being only partially discharged. Unfortunately, this is one of the use cases of the JetsonBot. The JetsonBot may be used for a little while and then sent back to the recharger, without a full discharge. NiMH/NiCd self discharges, around 25% a month. It is not unusual to lose 5-10% of a charge overnight.
By comparison, the Lithium battery does not have these issues. Plus the Lithium is good for over 800 charge cycles in comparison to the original battery packs 200 charge cycle. The Lithium Power battery is compatible with the original charger, and has built in balancing technology along with over-charge, over-discharge, over-voltage, over-current and over temperature protection. I assume from the literature that means that it has some over type of protection.
The original Roomba 650, which is where the Create 2 come from, has a cycle time of about an hour. With the larger battery, this can be extended by about 2-3X.
In either case, whether using the OEM iRobot solution or an aftermarket item, it certainly something to consider when it is time to replace the battery or some extra running time is needed.
Off to Part 13 – Sound.