Post by: binbags on November 23, 2010, 04:59:30 AM
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? %) %) %) :-[ :-[ :-[
Post by: kat on November 23, 2010, 07:12:38 AM
Pleobob is a great name for your pleo. ;D 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. ;D
Kat
Post by: RedwoodsMama on November 23, 2010, 11:11:33 AM
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! :rootbeer: Cheers!
RedwoodsMama and Nova and family of Pleos
Post by: Crewella on November 23, 2010, 10:59:12 PM
Post by: binbags on November 24, 2010, 02:23:21 AM
Well, what a nice warm welcome. :) :) 101% better than some of the electronics forums that I belong too. :-X
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. ;D ;D ;D
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.
Post by: InmemoryofRomeo on November 24, 2010, 03:18:30 AM
The li-poly batteries really are fantastic, you will not be disappointed :)
Post by: barrettgazzy on November 24, 2010, 04:21:37 PM
Post by: Firebreathingsquirrels on November 24, 2010, 04:59:16 PM
Post by: kat on November 24, 2010, 05:15:18 PM
Post by: InmemoryofRomeo on November 24, 2010, 05:41:18 PM
Post by: Crewella on November 24, 2010, 05:44:43 PM
Both Clover and Pleobob are fine names, and welcome additions to our ranks! :D
Post by: binbags on November 25, 2010, 04:46:35 AM
Just received "Pleobob" this morning, safe and almost well. :rootbeer: :rootbeer:
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. :) :)
Post by: Crewella on November 25, 2010, 05:21:37 AM
http://bobthepleo.com/forums/index.php?topic=482.0
Post by: binbags on November 25, 2010, 09:02:21 AM
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. ;D
I really must say though, this forum is great and I am enjoying every moment.
More, more, more,
Post by: InmemoryofRomeo on November 25, 2010, 01:39:12 PM
Don't forget to post some pics :)
Post by: kat on November 26, 2010, 04:56:51 PM
Post by: Bumblebee on November 26, 2010, 08:35:54 PM
*Waits for pics of Pleobob* ^^
Post by: binbags on November 29, 2010, 12:53:48 AM
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. :) :) :) :) ;) ;)
Post by: Crewella on November 29, 2010, 12:57:35 AM
Post by: binbags on November 30, 2010, 07:35:44 AM
Hi All
Just received "Pleobob" this morning, safe and almost well. :rootbeer: :rootbeer:
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. :) :) :) :) :) :)
Post by: Crewella on November 30, 2010, 08:44:39 AM
Post by: Bumblebee on December 01, 2010, 02:02:26 PM
Post by: binbags on December 02, 2010, 04:22:02 AM
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" ;D ;D
I will keep all posted. ;) ;)
Post by: Crewella on December 02, 2010, 04:46:57 AM
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. :)
Post by: binbags on December 02, 2010, 05:25:30 AM
Glad they've arrived - you'll definitely see the difference! I couldn't believe how much better they were! :D
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.
Post by: Crewella on December 02, 2010, 05:32:17 AM
There are probably myriad ways, but the way I do it is to copy and paste the smg code from under the pic in the gallery into your post (it's the first code 'bbc embed'). You can preview to check it's worked. :)
If you start a post then click 'Additional options' below your text, it gives you attachment options.
Post by: binbags on December 02, 2010, 05:55:14 AM
Thank you, Binbags ;D
There are probably myriad ways, but the way I do it is to copy and paste the smg code from under the pic in the gallery into your post (it's the first code 'bbc embed'). You can preview to check it's worked. :)
If you start a post then click 'Additional options' below your text, it gives you attachment options.
Hi Crewella
Thanks for the tip, I will try it.
Well, bless my sole. Thats another fine job done Crewella. 8) 8)
A big thank you. :-* :-*
Post by: kat on December 02, 2010, 06:58:24 AM
Post by: binbags on December 02, 2010, 07:43:05 AM
This is a great picture of Pleobob. :) He looks very sweet. I love the snowy garden. We don't get snow where I live, it is the beginning of summer for me.
Hi
Yes, sure is cold here at the moment. The snow is about 10-14" deep and still falling. Most of the UK is suffering at the moment. Your on the other side of the world and I would a bit warmer than here.
Thanks for the comments on my pictures. :) :)
Post by: Jules on December 02, 2010, 08:05:59 AM
Post by: Dinolover on December 02, 2010, 09:03:25 AM
Just taking a break at work here and love the picture...:) I live in New England right outside of Boston, MA. It's cold here today, but no snow yet.... I'm sure in another few weeks we can expect to have snow like that here! If you had the new rb .. he'd be shivering right now...LOL!
Cheers mate!
Post by: binbags on December 02, 2010, 09:17:23 AM
I think I'm in the only part of the UK that has had less than 2cm of snow and that was days ago!! The rest of the UK is knee deep :o
Hi Jules
Theres time for you yet. :-X :-X :-X :-X But really you don't want it do you? %) %) %) it has been chaos here in the High Peak. >:D
No bin emptied, the shops are running out of milk, that's probably due to panic buying. :o :o :o
Take care.
Post by: binbags on December 02, 2010, 09:24:40 AM
Hi Binbags,
Just taking a break at work here and love the picture...:) I live in New England right outside of Boston, MA. It's cold here today, but no snow yet.... I'm sure in another few weeks we can expect to have snow like that here! If you had the new rb .. he'd be shivering right now...LOL!
Cheers mate!
Hi
Yes I sure, as eggs is eggs, it will come your way. :-\ :-\
My wife who use to work in the States, keeps telling me that I would love New England (in fall) and most other times. :)
She has just phoned now to say she is on her way home now. She is Nuclear Radiographer and she can't have any days off. Me I am retired now, done my 50 years, so I am enjoying it playing with Pleobob and having fun on this forum. Never chatted so much, from one side of the world to the other. It's great. not that my wife approves when she is around. :-X :-X
Bye for now.
Post by: InmemoryofRomeo on December 02, 2010, 12:01:25 PM
Post by: Crewella on December 02, 2010, 05:33:15 PM
You're very welcome, Binbags! Glad it worked - Pleobob looks great, if a little chilly!;D ;D
Post by: InmemoryofRomeo on December 02, 2010, 06:01:07 PM
Post by: Crewella on December 02, 2010, 06:03:20 PM
Post by: binbags on December 03, 2010, 12:36:47 AM
Thanks for all you replies, there is nothing wrong with two fingers for typing. Nothing wrong with being a bit behind IMR, what do they say about "all haste and no speed". %) %
Well todays the day for the backload/download of V1.1. The battery is fully charged, my wife has just gone to work, the rest of the day is mine. I just wish that there was a definitive way to find out the version that is already running in Pleobob. :( :(
Post by: Dinolover on December 03, 2010, 03:30:39 AM
Hi Binbags,
Just taking a break at work here and love the picture...:) I live in New England right outside of Boston, MA. It's cold here today, but no snow yet.... I'm sure in another few weeks we can expect to have snow like that here! If you had the new rb .. he'd be shivering right now...LOL!
Cheers mate!
Hi
Yes I sure, as eggs is eggs, it will come your way. :-\ :-\
My wife who use to work in the States, keeps telling me that I would love New England (in fall) and most other times. :)
She has just phoned now to say she is on her way home now. She is Nuclear Radiographer and she can't have any days off. Me I am retired now, done my 50 years, so I am enjoying it playing with Pleobob and having fun on this forum. Never chatted so much, from one side of the world to the other. It's great. not that my wife approves when she is around. :-X :-X
Bye for now.
Yes, I also love the fall, and I've lived in a few different areas in the states, but always miss New England (my birth-place)... Seems when it came time to buy a home I returned to my roots...:) There is nothing like an old fashioned New England Christmas/Holiday Season. If you ever get a chance to visit this area, you should... I'd be more than happy to give you any information on places to see! Enjoy your new Pleo and Happy Holidays to you, your wife and your family!!!
Post by: binbags on December 03, 2010, 06:12:08 AM
Yes I am sure we will be there at some point in the near future. We both love the States so much, it's almost our second home for holidays. So much to see and not enough time to see it. Next time on this earth maybe. :-\ :-\ :-\
I have just come back from shopping for some of the acrylic paint to touch-up pleobob. As in this link ;) ;)
http://bobthepleo.com/forums/index.php?topic=1631.0
It is very helpful, not sure if I will start it today. But at least I have the paint.
Have a good day.
Post by: Dinolover on December 03, 2010, 03:25:14 PM
Post by: binbags on December 06, 2010, 12:09:22 AM
Enjoy the painting and good luck! Please post some picks when he's complete!
Hi
I will post some pictures as soon as I have done all/some of the re-touching. ;D ;D
regards.