Topic: My Pleo (Read 10448 times)

binbags · « **on:** November 23, 2010, 04:59:30 AM »

Hi

I have just joined the forum. I have named my pleo before joining and I have called him "Pleobob". So forgive me if it clashes with this forum.
If you need me to re-name him, I will. Not sure if I will have to do another account though?

kat · « **Reply #1 on:** November 23, 2010, 07:12:38 AM »

Hi binbags,
Pleobob is a great name for your pleo.

You can call your pleo what ever you like and no one on the forum will mind. You should find that everyone here is very friendly, so feel free to ask any questions you may have and jump right in and share your pleo experiences with us all.
A big welcome.

Kat

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #2 on:** November 23, 2010, 11:11:33 AM »

Hello Binbags, Like KaT said, we all welcome you here on the forums, and I think Bob the Pleo will feel " honored", to have another member who has part of his name , Pleobob is a great name indeed, how can you go wrong with a name like that?

How long have you had Pleobob? I think you will find there are also quite a few members here also from the U.K, who will be glad to have another Brit among them as well.

( I think you Brits are outnumbering us at the moment too.)
You will find a wealth of information here both recently posted and among the archives. we would love to see some pics of Pleobob when you get the time, so post one or two so we can better get acquainted! Welcome aboard to both of you!

Cheers!
RedwoodsMama and Nova and family of Pleos

Crewella · « **Reply #3 on:** November 23, 2010, 10:59:12 PM »

I second (or third) that - Pleobob is indeed a fine name!

binbags · « **Reply #4 on:** November 24, 2010, 02:23:21 AM »

Hi

Well, what a nice warm welcome.

101% better than some of the electronics forums that I belong too.

Pleobob is not new, I have just purchased/adopted him from a lady in Scotland. She bought Pleo for her young son, who she says is too young to appreciate him.

He has a battery problem. I have ordered a new Li-ioN battery and charger from Taiwan, they should arrive in a week or so. You have to order them complete as the new battery will not charge in the charger unit that came with Pleo. Meanwhile it is not beyond my skills to have a look at replacing the nickel-metal hydride cells that are already there. I have some good quality German NiMH "AA" tagged cells.
I have in my years missed out on some fantastic robotic creatures, take Aibo or Pino for example. There far too many to list. So, at last I took the plunge and as I am older in years and still young in heart, I thought why not. Pleobob is really for my wife, as she adores robotic creatures. But the more I look at what I have done, it is probably me that is the one that wanted Pleobob.

Anyway, thanks once again for your warm welcome. I shall keep you informed of the battery progress and Try to take some photos of him, as soon as I can.

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #5 on:** November 24, 2010, 03:18:30 AM »

I'm sure Pleobob is very happy that he now has a good home and will be loved again

The li-poly batteries really are fantastic, you will not be disappointed

barrettgazzy · « **Reply #6 on:** November 24, 2010, 04:21:37 PM »

Just like to welcome you to the forums also Binbags and yes very pleased to see another brit amongst us :-)

Firebreathingsquirrels · « **Reply #7 on:** November 24, 2010, 04:59:16 PM »

Welcome Binbags! I just ordered another Pleo and I'm planning to name her Clover, and I found out that another member of the forums has a Pleo with the name Clover, so I'm sort of in the same situation as you

But like everyone else said, its okay to have 2 Pleo's with the same name

kat · « **Reply #8 on:** November 24, 2010, 05:15:18 PM »

There are many people in the world who all have the same names. So take it as a compliment that you have chosen a wonderful name that other also thought was wonderful to have used it for their pleos too.

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #9 on:** November 24, 2010, 05:41:18 PM »

Agreed, if you like a name, use it

It is a compliment to good tastes

Crewella · « **Reply #10 on:** November 24, 2010, 05:44:43 PM »

Yep, I'm sure there are other Iggys out there, and maybe even other Budges, but they're unique in their own ways. Anyway, I don't believe I'm the only Crewella either!

Both Clover and Pleobob are fine names, and welcome additions to our ranks!

binbags · « **Reply #11 on:** November 25, 2010, 04:46:35 AM »

Hi All
Just received "Pleobob" this morning, safe and almost well.

I say "almost well" because his battery has not been looked after, or one or more cells that Ugobe used have given up.
I might add a new Li-ion battery and charger is on its way from Taiwan.

Anyway, after studying the charger unit, to make sure that there were no faulty connections or dry joints inside. I decided that I would do (With caution, site, sound and temperature monitoring) that I would do what I have done many times before as a Photographic Technician, to battery pack in this type of equipment. First take a 12v power source, that you can monitor the current drawn by the Pleo battery pack and zap the +pos and the -neg terminals of the battery. This is done in short (10-20 second burst's) about 4-6 times. The battery voltage will come up and the cells will begin to get warm (DO NOT LET THE BATTERY GET TOO WARM), the battery pack will have been drawing quite a large current, at this voltage. STOP at this point and wait about 30 minutes to let the pack cool down. Then insert into Pleo. Low and behold I now have a Pleo that will run for about 5-6 minutes as opposed to 1 minute when I received him. The charging time in the genuine charger is getting longer and longer before it turns green. So this is a good sine that it may be on the mend, not sure for how long though.

After discharging in Pleobob, you can repeat the above but you can now zap more times, as the battery capacity is getting greater. I have done it now about 5x times and Pleobob is running for about 15 minutes. All I can do now is try more times and hope that I can kick start his heart (battery) into a longer life, that is until his new heart arrives from Taiwan.

Please, a further Warning on this technique. If you do not know what you are doing, leave well alone

If this reply is in the wrong slot/section, please feel free to move it.

One other note, there are companies in the UK that will make/rebuild battery packs for you. I have been searching the web, but as yet I have to contact them as too the cost and if they will touch a Pleo battery pack.

regards to all.

Crewella · « **Reply #12 on:** November 25, 2010, 05:21:37 AM »

Yay - always good to see people taking on the problems! You've probably seen this, but just in case:

http://bobthepleo.com/forums/index.php?topic=482.0

binbags · « **Reply #13 on:** November 25, 2010, 09:02:21 AM »

Hi Crewella

Yes I had seen this by barneyj, about the battery repair.

My aim is, when my new battery arrives, this is what I will do next. I am in the process of sourcing the tagged cells (2,200mAh or greater) I have an account with CPC of Preston Lancashire, but it would appear that the high capacity types are no longer made by GP. I will find some and the heat shrink sleeve to encase them.

This is all part of the fun, having a robot and being able to fix them or mod them. Not that I am going to alter Pleobob in any way, as he is cute enough. I will just play about with programs for the SD card.

I really must say though, this forum is great and I am enjoying every moment.

More, more, more,

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #14 on:** November 25, 2010, 01:39:12 PM »

So glad Pleobob arrived, battery issues are all too common so I certainly hope your li-poly arrives nice and quick

Then you can alter the old one and still have a Pleo around

Don't forget to post some pics

kat · « **Reply #15 on:** November 26, 2010, 04:56:51 PM »

I would also love to see some pics of Pleobob.

Bumblebee · « **Reply #16 on:** November 26, 2010, 08:35:54 PM »

Welcome!

*Waits for pics of Pleobob* ^^

binbags · « **Reply #17 on:** November 29, 2010, 12:53:48 AM »

Quote from: Bumblebee on November 26, 2010, 08:35:54 PM

Welcome!

*Waits for pics of Pleobob* ^^

Hi

Will have some pictures soon, since my retirement (oh! given my age away now) I have not stood still. So please be patient with me.

Crewella · « **Reply #18 on:** November 29, 2010, 12:57:35 AM »

They've been very patient with me, so I'm sure you're in safe hands!

binbags · « **Reply #19 on:** November 30, 2010, 07:35:44 AM »

Quote from: binbags on November 25, 2010, 04:46:35 AM

Hi All
Just received "Pleobob" this morning, safe and almost well.
I say "almost well" because his battery has not been looked after, or one or more cells that Ugobe used have given up.
I might add a new Li-ion battery and charger is on its way from Taiwan.

Anyway, after studying the charger unit, to make sure that there were no faulty connections or dry joints inside. I decided that I would do (With caution, site, sound and temperature monitoring) that I would do what I have done many times before as a Photographic Technician, to battery pack in this type of equipment. First take a 12v power source, that you can monitor the current drawn by the Pleo battery pack and zap the +pos and the -neg terminals of the battery. This is done in short (10-20 second burst's) about 4-6 times. The battery voltage will come up and the cells will begin to get warm (DO NOT LET THE BATTERY GET TOO WARM), the battery pack will have been drawing quite a large current, at this voltage. STOP at this point and wait about 30 minutes to let the pack cool down. Then insert into Pleo. Low and behold I now have a Pleo that will run for about 5-6 minutes as opposed to 1 minute when I received him. The charging time in the genuine charger is getting longer and longer before it turns green. So this is a good sine that it may be on the mend, not sure for how long though.

After discharging in Pleobob, you can repeat the above but you can now zap more times, as the battery capacity is getting greater. I have done it now about 5x times and Pleobob is running for about 15 minutes. All I can do now is try more times and hope that I can kick start his heart (battery) into a longer life, that is until his new heart arrives from Taiwan.

Please, a further Warning on this technique. If you do not know what you are doing, leave well alone

If this reply is in the wrong slot/section, please feel free to move it.

One other note, there are companies in the UK that will make/rebuild battery packs for you. I have been searching the web, but as yet I have to contact them as too the cost and if they will touch a Pleo battery pack.

regards to all.

Hi All

More update on the old NiMH battery pack. The pack is behaving more normal now. I am charging in the original charger unit. Charge time is about 30 mins and running time is about 55 mins.
Getting longer with each charge.

Crewella · « **Reply #20 on:** November 30, 2010, 08:44:39 AM »

Blimey - well done! Never have got much more than an hour out of mine! That was the main reason I went for the li-poly batteries.

Bumblebee · « **Reply #21 on:** December 01, 2010, 02:02:26 PM »

Oh, that's great! ^^ I'm glad it worked out for you.

binbags · « **Reply #22 on:** December 02, 2010, 04:22:02 AM »

Quote from: Bumblebee on December 01, 2010, 02:02:26 PM

Oh, that's great! ^^ I'm glad it worked out for you.

Hi, Good morning USA

I have just received my Li-ion battery from Taiwan, this is now on charge. I will still use the other battery and at some point, replace the NiMH ceels in that one. At a guese it will cost me about £25-£28 pounds to have it done, but the cells will be 2500 mA·h Sanyo type. That should make quite a difference to the running time of my Pleo. I have this techical side to me and do not like to be beaten by a battery pack. I have have always been, a repair and make good kind of guy. "If it is broke, then I will fix it"

I will keep all posted.

Crewella · « **Reply #23 on:** December 02, 2010, 04:46:57 AM »

Glad they've arrived - you'll definitely see the difference! I couldn't believe how much better they were!

I'm much the same, Binbags, I'm an antiques dealer and so spend a fair bit of time restoring old things or trying to get them working properly. I have a couple of Sony Aibo batteries that I'm thinking of having repacked at some point in the future - I'd be interested in the details of that company, if you're pleased with the results when you get your battery done.

binbags · « **Reply #24 on:** December 02, 2010, 05:25:30 AM »

Quote from: Crewella on December 02, 2010, 04:46:57 AM

Glad they've arrived - you'll definitely see the difference! I couldn't believe how much better they were!

I'm much the same, Binbags, I'm an antiques dealer and so spend a fair bit of time restoring old things or trying to get them working properly. I have a couple of Sony Aibo batteries that I'm thinking of having repacked at some point in the future - I'd be interested in the details of that company, if you're pleased with the results when you get your battery done.

Hi
Yep no problems, the company is in Burntwood, Staffordshire, it is called (Strikalite.co.uk)

Some pictures of Pleobob in the garden, they are in the gallery. I am slowly getting to grip with all the features on this forum. If I want to attach a file to this post, can this be done? Or if I wanted to include some jpeg pictures in the post? There must be an easy way.

Bob the Pleo Forums

Author Topic: My Pleo (Read 10448 times)