iRobot Roomba User manual

500/600 Series Owner's Manual
Meijer.com

Meijer.com

Dear iRobot Roomba Owner,
Thank you for purchasing an iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaning
robot. You’ve joined the millions of people who clean with robots -
the smarter way to get it done.
Please take a few moments to read this manual and get acquainted
with your Roomba, to get the best performance from your robot.
If you have any questions, visit our website at www.irobot.com for
more information.
Register your robot to instantly activate your warranty and enjoy
these exclusive benefits:
Ř7DNHDGYDQWDJHRIL5RERWőVDZDUGZLQQLQJFXVWRPHUVHUYLFH
Get support tailored to your specific robot, including answers
to questions, maintenance tips, video demos, live chat and
more.
Ř*HWSURGXFWXSGDWHVDQGRWKHUYDOXDEOHLQIRUPDWLRQ
Be among the first to find out about new robots, exclusive
discounts and special promotions.
When you register, you can also tell us about your experience
with your Roomba; iRobot listens to our customers and makes
enhancements to our robots based on your valued feedback. We’d
love to hear from you!
5HJLVWHU\RXUURERWULJKWQRZDWZZZLURERWFRPUHJLVWHU
On behalf of the entire team, thank you for choosing iRobot; we
appreciate your business, feedback and loyalty.
Here’s to robots that make a difference!
Yours for less chores and more life,
Colin Angle
Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder
iRobot Corporation
P.S. Don’t miss out on your exclusive benefits! Register your
Roomba online right now at www.irobot.com/register.
Meijer.com

4 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
Important Tips
Roomba contains electronic parts. DO NOT submerge Roomba or spray it
with water. Clean with a dry cloth only.
Before using Roomba the first
time, you need to activate Roomba
by removing the battery pull tab.
Charge Roomba overnight before
first time use.
Remove battery pull tab
)RU%HVW3HUIRUPDQFH
Ř5HPRYHDQGFOHDQ5RRPEDőVEUXVKHVDIWHUHYHU\XVH
Ř(PSW\5RRPEDőVELQDQGFOHDQLWVƂOWHUDIWHUHYHU\XVH
Ř8VHD9LUWXDO:DOO® (optional accessory) to keep Roomba cleaning where
you want it.
Ř8VH\RXU5RRPEDIUHTXHQWO\
%DWWHU\/LIH
To extend Roomba’s battery life and keep Roomba cleaning at peak
performance:
Ř$OZD\VNHHS5RRPEDSOXJJHGLQZKHQQRWLQXVH
Ř5HFKDUJH5RRPEDDVVRRQDVSRVVLEOH:DLWLQJVHYHUDOGD\VWR
recharge Roomba can damage the battery.
Ř)RUVWRUDJHRIIWKHSRZHUVXSSO\UHPRYHWKHEDWWHU\IURP5RRPEDDQG
store in a cool, dry place.
 Ř%OXHRUEODFNEDWWHULHVVKRXOGEHVWRUHGDIWHU5RRPEDKDVEHHQ
used.
 Ř<HOORZEDWWHULHVVKRXOGEHVWRUHGDIWHUEHLQJIXOO\FKDUJHG
7XUQLQJ5RRPEDRQDQGRII
Ř7RWXUQ5RRPED21SUHVV&/($1RQFH<RXZLOOKHDUD
EHHSDQGWKH&/($1EXWWRQZLOOOLJKW
Ř7RVWDUWDFOHDQLQJF\FOHSUHVV&/($1DJDLQ5RRPEDZLOO
start a cleaning cycle.
Ř7RSDXVH5RRPEDSUHVV&/($1ZKLOH5RRPEDLVFOHDQLQJ
Ř7RWXUQ5RRPED2))SUHVVDQGKROGWKH&/($1EXWWRQ
until Roomba’s lights turn OFF.
Ř7RUHVXPHWKHFOHDQLQJF\FOHSUHVV&/($1DJDLQ
Meijer.com

For more detailed information, visit: www.irobot.com 5
Table of Contents
iRobot Roomba Anatomy.............................................6
Cleaning Pattern...........................................................7
Cleaning Modes............................................................8
Cleaning System...........................................................9
Cleaning Bins..............................................................10
Battery Storage and Charging ............................. 11-12
Optional Accessories .................................................13
9LUWXDO:DOO® ..................................................... 13-14
9LUWXDO:DOO®/LJKWKRXVHV™.............................. 15-16
Home Base® ..........................................................17
Wiresless Command Center .................................18
Remote Control .....................................................19
Scheduling Roomba (selected models) .................. 20-21
Regular Maintenance ........................................... 22-24
/DQJXDJH6HOHFWLRQ0RGH(selected models)................25
Troubleshooting.................................................... 26-27
Replaceable Modules........................................... 28-32
Frequently Asked Questions......................................33
Important Safety Instructions ....................................34
iRobot Customer Care ...............................................35
Meijer.com

6 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
iRobot Roomba Anatomy
Infrared Sensor
Bin Release Button
Power Supply Socket
Flexible
Brush
Cliff Sensor
Openings
Edge-Cleaning
Side Brush
Dirt Detect™
Sensor
/HIW:KHHO
Module
Right Wheel
Module
Contact Points
for Home Base
(selected
models)
Brush Guard Release Tabs
Brush
Bearings
Brush
Guard
Removable
Caster Wheel
Buttons and Lights
%RWWRP9LHZ
Main
Brush
Faceplate
Bin
End Caps
SPOT Button
&/($13RZHU
Button SPOT/DOCK Button
(varies by model)
Dirt Detect™
(Models 500 - 549) (Models 550 and above)
Scheduling
Interface
Troubleshooting
/LJKW
DOCK Button (models 550-599)
MAX Button (models 600+)
SPOT Button
&/($13RZHU
Button
Dirt Detect™
Troubleshooting
/LJKW
Meijer.com

For more detailed information, visit: www.irobot.com 7
Cleaning Pattern
Roomba is a robot that cleans floors differently than the way most people
clean their floors. Roomba uses its robot intelligence to efficiently clean
the whole floor, under and around furniture and along walls.
Roomba calculates the optimal cleaning path as it cleans and determines
when to use its various cleaning behaviors:
6SLUDOLQJ Roomba uses
a spiral motion to clean a
concentrated area.
Wall Following: Roomba
uses this technique to
clean the full perimeter
of the room and navigate
around furniture and
obstacles.
5RRP&URVVLQJ Roomba
crisscrosses the room
to ensure full cleaning
coverage.
Dirt Detection (selected
models):When Roomba
senses dirt, the blue Dirt
Detect™ light is lit and
Roomba cleans more
intensely in that area.
TIP: Roomba takes approximately 25 minutes to clean an average room and
will pass over the same area of the floor multiple times to ensure total
floor coverage.
7,3)RUPRVWHIƂFLHQWFOHDQLQJFOHDU\RXUƃRRURIFOXWWHUDQGXVHD9LUWXDO
Wall to confine Roomba to one room.
Meijer.com

8 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
Cleaning Modes
Roomba will clean based on the cleaning mode you select. Roomba has
three cleaning modes.
&OHDQ0RGH (all models)
Roomba automatically calculates the room size and adjusts its cleaning
time appropriately.
6SRW0RGH (all models)
Roomba will spiral approximately three feet in diameter and then spiral
back to where it started, intensely cleaning a localized area.
6FKHGXOHG&OHDQLQJ0RGH (Models 550 and above)
When a future cleaning time is programmed, Roomba enters Scheduled
Cleaning Mode. When scheduled to clean, Roomba will occasionally flash
its next cleaning time to remind you of its schedule. At the specified time,
Roomba leaves its Home Base, cleans, and then returns to the Home
Base to recharge when it’s done.
Meijer.com

For more detailed information, visit: www.irobot.com 9
Cleaning System
Roomba features a patented three-stage cleaning system.
)ORRU6XUIDFHV
Roomba works on wood, carpet, tile, vinyl, and linoleum, and adjusts
automatically to different floor types.
Roomba automatically senses stairs and other cliffs. Roomba might
stall when confronting rounded edges and might slide over particularly
slippery surfaces. Extremely dark-colored floors may contribute to
Roomba’s cliff sensors working less effectively.
$QWL7DQJOHV\VWHP
Roomba won’t get stuck on cords, carpet fringe or tassels. When Roomba
senses it has picked up a cord or tassel, it will automatically stop its main
brushes or side brush and try to escape. Roomba may make a clicking
noise when anti-tangle is activated.
1
Side brush
sweeps along
edge of walls and
into corners.
2
Two counter-
rotating brushes
scoop up dirt,
hair, and debris
into the bin.
3
Powerful vacuum picks up the
remaining fine particles, dirt, and
hair. The filter traps dust and
small particles.
Filter
Meijer.com

10 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
Cleaning Bins
Roomba is compatible with three interchangeable cleaning bins.
$HUR9DF70RU2ULJLQDO9DFXXP&OHDQLQJ%LQ
7KH$HUR9DFRU2ULJLQDOYDFXXPFOHDQLQJELQVKRXOGEHXVHGIRU
everyday cleaning. The dual action, counter-rotating brushes pick up
debris, while the vacuum sucks up the dirt and dust.
+LJK&DSDFLW\6ZHHSHU%LQ(optional accessory for all models)
The high-capacity sweeper bin can hold more debris than the vacuum
FOHDQLQJELQ8VHWKLVELQZKHQFOHDQLQJODUJHUWKDQXVXDODPRXQWVRIGLUW
and dust, or when cleaning bigger pieces of debris.
$HUR9DFTM9DFXXP&OHDQLQJ%LQ
High-Capacity Sweeper Bin
2ULJLQDO9DFXXP&OHDQLQJ%LQ
Meijer.com

For more detailed information, visit: www.irobot.com 11
Battery Storage and Charging
TIP: For best performance, charge Roomba’s battery overnight before using
Roomba for the first time.
Roomba is powered by a rechargeable battery. Roomba’s battery can last
for hundreds of cleaning cycles if cared for properly.
%DWWHU\/LIH
To extend the battery life, iRobot recommends always storing Roomba
plugged in. For more details on how to maintain Roomba’s battery life,
visit www.irobot.com/support.
TIP: Recharge Roomba as soon as possible. Waiting several days to recharge
Roomba can damage the battery.
TIP: For storage off the power supply, remove the battery from Roomba and
store in a cool, dry place.
&OHDQLQJ7LPH
You should fully charge Roomba’s battery before each cleaning cycle.
When fully charged, Roomba’s battery will last for at least one full clean
cycle.
+RXU5HIUHVK&KDUJH
If Roomba has been left off the power supply or Home Base for an
extended period, Roomba will initiate a special 16-hour charge cycle. This
extensive charge refreshes Roomba’s battery and extends the battery
life. While charging, Roomba’s “Clean” button will pulse quickly. Note: For
best results, do not interrupt this Refresh Charge.
Meijer.com

12 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
&/($1EXWWRQOLJKW Battery status
Solid red Battery empty
Amber pulse Charging
Solid green Fully charged
Quick amber pulse 16-hour refresh charge
TIP: When Roomba is on the Home Base, always make sure that the Home
Base power light is on.
Or
&KDUJLQJ5RRPED
Charge Roomba in one of two ways:
&KDUJLQJ/LJKWV
5RRPEDXVHVWKH&/($1EXWWRQOLJKWWRLQGLFDWHWKDWLWLVFKDUJLQJ8VH
this chart to determine the status of the battery.
&/($13RZHU
Button
8VLQJWKH+RPH%DVH 8VLQJWKH3RZHU6XSSO\2QO\
Meijer.com

For more detailed information, visit: www.irobot.com 13
9LUWXDO:DOO®
(optional accessory for selected models)
9LUWXDO:DOOVFUHDWHDQLQYLVLEOHEDUULHU
that Roomba will not cross. This invisible
barrier can be used to confine Roomba
to a particular room or area, and
prevent it from getting too close
to electrical or computer cords,
delicate objects on the floor, etc.
7KH9LUWXDO:DOOVFDQEHVHWWREORFNDQRSHQLQJ
XSWRVHYHQIHHWORQJ1RWHWKDWWKHZLGWKRIWKH9LUWXDO:DOOőV
beam also increases as its length increases, creating a cone-shaped
DUHDZKLFK5RRPEDFDQQRWSDVV7KH9LUWXDO:DOODOVRFUHDWHVDKDORRI
protection around itself, preventing Roomba from getting too close.
2ULJLQDO9LUWXDO:DOO
7KH9LUWXDO:DOOUHTXLUHVœ'ŔEDWWHULHVDQG
automatically shuts off after 135 minutes. If the
power light blinks green, the batteries will soon
QHHGUHSODFHPHQW8VHWKHVOLGHUEDUWRDGMXVW
the length of the barrier. A higher range will drain
the battery faster.
7,3)RUEHVWSHUIRUPDQFHSODFHWKH9LUWXDO:DOORQWKHRXWVLGHRIWKH
doorway you wish to block.
TIP: Point the iRobot logo towards the opening you would like to block.
Meijer.com

14 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
&RPSDFW9LUWXDO:DOO%DWWHU\,QVWDOODWLRQ
To open the battery compartment, simply apply pressure on both iRobot
ORJRVORFDWHGRQHLWKHUVLGHRIWKH9LUWXDO:DOODQGSXOOWKHERWWRPRXW
separating the pieces.
Two “C” Alkaline Batteries
(not included)
Battery
Compartment
7,33RLQWWKHDUURZVRQWRSRIWKH9LUWXDO:DOOWRZDUGVWKHRSHQLQJ\RXZRXOG
like to block.
7,33RLQWWKHDUURZVRQWRSRIWKH9LUWXDO:DOOWRZDUGVWKHRSHQLQJ\RXZRXOG
like to block.
OFF
AUTO
9LUWXDO:DOO®
(continued)
&RPSDFW0DQXDO9LUWXDO:DOl
$0DQXDO9LUWXDO:DOOPXVWEHWXUQHGRQ
by hand at the beginning of the cleaning
cycle to activate the barrier. A Manual
9LUWXDO:DOODQGLWVSRZHUOLJKWZLOOVKXW
off after 135 minutes. When battery
OHYHOVDUHORZWKH9LUWXDO:DOOSRZHUOLJKWZLOO
blink slowly to indicate that it needs new batteries.
&RPSDFW$XWR9LUWXDO:DOO
:KHQDQ$XWR9LUWXDO:DOOLVVHWWRœ$XWRŔ
mode, the power light blinks repeatedly
to indicate it is on. When battery levels
DUHORZWKH9LUWXDO:DOOEOLQNVUHSHDWHGO\
twice to indicate that it needs new batteries.
To save battery power, switch the Auto
9LUWXDO:DOOWRœ2IIŔ:KHQLQœ$XWRŔPRGHWKH
batteries should last approximately six months.
Meijer.com

For more detailed information, visit: www.irobot.com 15
9LUWXDO:DOO®/LJKWKRXVHV™
(optional accessory for selected models)
9LUWXDO:DOO/LJKWKRXVHVWXUQRQDQGRIIDXWRPDWLFDOO\DV5RRPEDLV
turned on and off. When they are on, a light illuminates on the top of the
9LUWXDO:DOO/LJKWKRXVH$9LUWXDO:DOO/LJKWKRXVHFDQEHXVHGLQWZR
PRGHVHLWKHULQ/LJKWKRXVHPRGHRU9LUWXDO:DOOPRGHVHWE\WKH0RGH
Selector.
Lighthouse
Virtual Wall
0-3”
4-7”
8”+
Distance
0-1.5m
1.5-3m
3m+
3RZHU/LJKW
Two “C” Alkaline
Batteries
(not included)
7,3:KHQLQ/LJKWKRXVHPRGHGRQRWPDQXDOO\PRYH5RRPEDIURPURRPWR
room while it is cleaning.
Mode Selector
/LJKWKRXVH0RGH
,Q/LJKWKRXVHPRGHWKH9LUWXDO:DOO/LJKWKRXVHKHOSV5RRPEDQDYLJDWH
around your home and allows Roomba to clean room-to-room. Roomba
will clean the room it starts in, navigate to the next room, and then clean
the second room. When Roomba has completed cleaning, it will use the
/LJKWKRXVHWRQDYLJDWHEDFNWRWKH+RPH%DVHIRUUHFKDUJLQJ
:LWKWZR9LUWXDO:DOO
/LJKWKRXVHVLQOLJKWKRXVH
mode, Roomba will clean
Room 1 for approximately
25 minutes, then clean
Rooms 2 and 3 for 25
minutes each, and then
return to the Home Base.
Home
Base
/LJKWKRXVH
Room 1 Room 2
Room 3
/LJKWKRXVH
Start
Roomba
here
Range Selector
Meijer.com

16 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
TIP: To conserve battery life, remove the batteries if you are not planning to
XVHWKH9LUWXDO:DOO/LJKWKRXVHZKHQFOHDQLQJ:KHQEDWWHU\OHYHOVDUH
ORZWKH9LUWXDO:DOO/LJKWKRXVHSRZHUOLJKWZLOOƃDVKUHSHDWHGO\
9LUWXDO:DOO®/LJKWKRXVHV™
(continued)
,Q/LJKWKRXVHPRGHSODFHWKH9LUWXDO:DOO/LJKWKRXVHLQWKHGRRUZD\
between two rooms with the iRobot logo facing forward.
3ODFH/LJKWKRXVH
in the center of
the door frame
9LUWXDO:DOO0RGH
,Q9LUWXDO:DOOPRGHWKH/LJKWKRXVHFUHDWHVDQLQYLVLEOHEDUULHUWKDW
Roomba will not cross. It automatically turns off when Roomba turns off.
,Q9LUWXDO:DOOPRGHSODFHWKH9LUWXDO:DOO/LJKWKRXVHLQWKHFHQWHURI
the door frame. It blocks an opening up to seven feet or longer in three
LQFUHPHQWVIWIWIW8VHWKHUDQJHVHOHFWRUWRDGMXVWWKH
length of the barrier. A longer range will drain the battery faster.
7,3$YRLGSODFLQJ9LUWXDO:DOO/LJKWKRXVHVWRRFORVHWRHDFKRWKHUWKH
Home Base, or furniture that could block the beams. Doing so could
SUHYHQW5RRPEDIURPUHFRJQL]LQJWKH/LJKWKRXVHVDQGQDYLJDWLQJWRWKH
next room.
Range
Selector
Distance
Meijer.com

For more detailed information, visit: www.irobot.com 17
Home Base®
(optional accessory for selected models)
Always keep the Home base plugged in.
2ULJLQDO+RPH%DVH
When Roomba is on the Home Base, the power and
docked lights are green to indicate Roomba is charging.
&RPSDFW+RPH%DVH
When the Home Base is plugged in, the power light
blinks to indicate that it is connected to the power
source. When Roomba connects to the Home Base, the
power light is solid to indicate that Roomba successfully
connected to the Home Base. When Roomba is
charging, Roomba’s “Clean” button pulses amber as
described in the “Battery Storage and Charging” section
of this manual. The “Clean” button is a solid green when
Roomba is completely charged.
+RPH%DVH/RFDWLRQ
You should position the Home Base on a hard level surface and in an
area where Roomba has a clear path to return at the end of a cleaning
F\FOH/RFDWHWKH+RPH%DVHDJDLQVWDZDOORURWKHULPPRYDEOHREMHFWWR
prevent it from sliding during docking. If Roomba is unable to dock on its
first attempt, it will try again until it docks successfully.
TIP: Do not place the Home Base within 4 feet of a stairwell.
Chair Table
Home
Base
Stairs
Area Rug
Meijer.com

18 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
Wireless Command Center
(optional accessory for selected models)
The Wireless Command Center lets you conveniently control Roomba’s
functions. You can use it to turn Roomba on and off, schedule Roomba to
clean, and steer Roomba around your room.
...
3DLULQJ5RRPEDZLWKWKH:LUHOHVV&RPPDQG&HQWHU
Wireless Command Centers are set up to control only one Roomba. To pair
a Wireless Command Center with a Roomba, you need four “AA” batteries
(not included).
Troubleshooting
/LJKW
6327 Roomba spirals approximately three feet in diameter and then spirals
back to where it started, intensely cleaning a local area.
&/($1 Roomba automatically calculates the room size and adjusts its
cleaning time appropriately.
. . . Models
570-599
Roomba attempts to dock on the Home Base, if present.
Models
600+
Roomba enters Max mode and cleans as long as the
battery allows.
Battery
Indicator . . .
1
Make sure Roomba’s battery is fully charged.
2
8QSOXJWKHSRZHUVXSSO\RUUHPRYH5RRPEDIURPLWV+RPH%DVH
3
Install three “AA” batteries into the Command Center.
4
Hold down the left drive button while installing the fourth battery.
5
Continue holding the button for 3 seconds or until the days of the
week lights flash in a sequence from right to left (Saturday to Sunday).
6
Install the battery door and place the Command Center on top of
Roomba.
7
3UHVVDQGKROGWKH'$<DQG0,187(EXWWRQVRQWKH&RPPDQG&HQWHU
for 2 seconds. The lights on the Command Center will flash to indicate
the pairing has completed, and Roomba will make a two-tone beep.
8
When the Command Center is powered on from now on, the lights will
flash in sequence from left to right until Roomba is under control.
Meijer.com

For more detailed information, visit: www.irobot.com 19
TIP: Check that there is a direct line of sight from the Remote Control to
Roomba and that the remote is pointed at Roomba.
7KH5HPRWH&RQWURO9LUWXDO:DOOVDQG+RPH%DVHRSHUDWHXVLQJDQLQYLVLEOH
infrared beam. If they are all used in the same area, Roomba may see
PXOWLSOHLQIUDUHGVLJQDOVDQGZLOOQRWRSHUDWH7KH5HPRWH:,//127ZRUN
ZKHQ5RRPEDLVQHDU9LUWXDO:DOOV
Before using your remote for the first time, install 2 AA batteries (not
included).
6327 Roomba spirals approximately three
feet in diameter and then spirals back
to where it started, intensely cleaning a
local area.
&/($1 Roomba automatically calculates the
room size and adjusts its cleaning time
appropriately.
. . . Models 500-519 Roomba enters Spot
mode.
Models 520-599 Roomba attempts to
dock on the Home
Base, if present.
Models 600+ Roomba enters Max
mode and cleans as
long as the battery
allows.
. . .
Remote Control
(optional accessory for selected models)
The Remote Control lets you conveniently control Roomba’s functions.
You can use it to turn Roomba on and off and steer it around your
room without bending down. It also gives you remote access to these
commands:
SPOT
Button
&/($13RZHU
Button
. . . Button
Directional
Buttons
Meijer.com

20 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
Scheduling Roomba
(Models 550 and above)
Setting the Time
You must set the time before scheduling Roomba to clean.
1
3UHVVDQGKROG&/2&.
2
:KLOHKROGLQJ&/2&.XVHWKH'$<+285
DQG0,187(EXWWRQVWRVHWWKHFRUUHFWWLPH
3
5HOHDVH&/2&.5RRPEDZLOOEHHSWR
indicate that the time has been set.
Setting a Schedule
You can schedule Roomba to clean once per day, up to seven times
per week. You must set the time before setting a schedule.
To set a schedule:
1
3UHVVDQGKROG6&+('8/(
2
:KLOHKROGLQJ6&+('8/(XVHWKH'$<
+285DQG0,187(EXWWRQVWRVHWWKH
schedule.
3
5HOHDVH6&+('8/(5RRPEDZLOOEHHSWR
indicate that the schedule has been set.
9LHZLQJDQG'HOHWLQJ6FKHGXOHV
To view Roomba’s scheduled cleaning times:
1
3UHVVDQGKROG6&+('8/(
2
:KLOHKROGLQJ6&+('8/(SUHVVWKH'$<
button to cycle through Roomba’s scheduled
cleaning times.
3
5HOHDVH6&+('8/(
Meijer.com