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iRobot R3 500 series APS Battery
 
Manufacturer: iRobot
Customer Rating:
 
List Price: $89.99
Sale Price: $33.99
Availibility: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
The APS Battery powers Roomba for up to 120 minutes of continuous clean up. Keep two batteries on hand to double the cleaning time. This APS Battery is compatible with Roomba® 500 Series models.

Product Details
  • New 3000 mAh Nickel Metal Hydride battery keeps Roomba running at peak performance
  • Cleans up to 4 rooms in 1 cleaning cycle
  • Charges in 7 hours on standard charger (sold separately)
  • For Roomba 500 Series only
  • 7 x 2.2 x 2.3 inches; 3 pounds; made in China

Video Reviews
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Customer Reviews
Generic battery but works well
 
Review Date: November 30, 2009
Reviewer: Brian D. Szuter, Cleveland, OH USA
There seems to be a variety of experiences with this battery, and I wanted to relate my experience with purchasing it.

I was shipped a generic Roomba 500 battery by "Allergy Be Gone". I think unless you buy directly from Amazon (for about 2x the price), this is what you will get. When I installed the battery, I found that it was keyed so you could only install it in one direction - it wasn't possible to install the battery backwards. It was really easy to install, requiring only a Philips head screwdriver. My Roomba then charged up in a very short period of time, and it now runs for 2+ hours. The battery charges fine using either the charging station or when plugged in directly.

I think "Allergy Be Gone" sells a higher quality battery than "Battery Superstore" sells. Reviews that mention Battery Superstore seem to be lower than other sellers, so I would recommend being careful about who you buy this from.

Overall, I am very pleased with this purchase since it saved me some $$$, but I wish ALL the sellers were clearer as to whether they are selling a generic battery or a iRobot branded battery.

FYI: iRobot has a video showing you how to install a battery on a 500-Series Roomba on their website.
It never stops cleaning! Buy from Amazon.
 
Review Date: November 18, 2009
Reviewer: protoguy, Sarasota, FL
I bought my replacement through amazon. I know this product has bad reviews but that's because some of the sellers are no good. Buy this through amazon and you'll get the OEM battery replacement. It works more than great. My Roomba runs longer than it ever did before even though it's the same battery. The robot cleaned at least 6 rooms before finally calling it a day. Now if only my roomba could run quieter.
try this before you purchase the new battery
 
Review Date: September 29, 2009
Reviewer: P. Hung, San Jose, CA USA
take the battery pack out and use either sandpaper or knife to clean the battery contact points
try this out before you purchase the new battery - this is the lesson I learned
NiMh APS Battery Exceeds Specified Run Times
 
Review Date: April 3, 2010
Reviewer: Retired Ski Bum, Steamboat Springs, CO
8/12/10 Update:
Four months after the purchase, both of these NiMh batteries show a maximum run time of 118 minutes. That is (as is normal and expected) an 11% decrease from the original run time. But, that is still 51% higher than the run time on the original NiCd batteries when they were brand new. If these batteries continue to lose 14 minutes of run time every 4 months, these batteries will still run for 90 minutes when they are 1 year old. That will still be 15% longer than the NiCd batteries ran when brand new. And, after 1 year, the NiCd batteries drained before completing a single small bedroom.

Before testing the maximum run time on a used battery, you must reboot the Roomba (see the Roomba battery maintenance internet page), recharge it, confine it in a test area with no charging station present, turn it on and press the dock button.

Use the same test area for each test.

Also, to get the best results from the battery, be sure to follow the battery maintenance tips on the Roomba battery maintenance internet page.

Based upon this interim result, I figure I may get more than one year of service from these NiMh batteries -- time will tell.

Original Review Follows:
Bottom line:
I bought two battery packs from SellBuzz. I am 100% satisfied with both batteries and with SellBuzz. Of course, the real test will be how long the batteries last before they have to be replaced. One year seems to be typical for average use.

The Roomba battery pack is a commodity item which should be purchased at the lowest price available -- so long as the vendor is reputable.

For best results, I recommend charging the new battery for 24 to 72 hours before the first use. It may or may not be necessary or productive. But, it cannot hurt. And, many NiMh battery manufacturers recommend this extended initial trickle charge. After the initial charge, follow the iRobot battery maintenance recommendations:

[...]

When new, my OEM NiCd batteries lasted 78 minutes per charge (on my Berber carpet). Over time, the run time per charge -- as is normal -- diminished. On the first charge, these NiMh batteries lasted 132 minutes in the exact same test (a 69% improvement & 10% above the advertised run time for this battery). Testing the run time per charge is one way to verify you were not sold a used battery -- I was not. Please note that you need a valid reference point. The run time varies according to the surface being cleaned and the room configuration.

This battery is nothing special. It is simply 12 off the shelf 1.2V NiMh batteries connected in series to produce a 14.4V battery with a thermistor added so as to allow the charger to avoid an overheating condition. The only real variable is the mAH rating.

These are the things to check for in a 500 series APS (NiMh) battery:

1) Make sure the battery has 4 contact points.

2) The two smallest contact points are connected to the thermistor.

3) Of the two remaining contact points, the smaller of the two should be the positive terminal. Use a volt meter to compare the polarity of the old battery against the new one. If the polarity matches, the battery should be fine.

4) If you have a valid reference point (such as a test of the OEM battery run time when the Roomba was first purchased), test the run time of the new batteries with the exact same test. This will determine whether you were sold a used battery (highly unlikely).
Great battery replacement for IRobot
 
Review Date: May 10, 2009
Reviewer: May Hsue, Irvine, CA
Excellent product! Works well with my Roomba 530. I got more than 120 mins out of this battery. Just hope the battery life is long.

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