Pioneer 3TM, 2TM manual Automated Docking/Charging System, Alternative Battery Chargers

Maintenance and Repair

to the charger and insert it into the charge socket that is just below your robot’s Main Power switch. The LEDs on the charger indicate charge status, as marked on its case.

It takes fewer than 12 hours—often just a few hours, depending on the level of discharge—to fully charge a battery using the accompanying charger (roughly, three hours per volt per battery). Although you may operate the robot while recharging, it restricts the robot’s mobility.

Automated Docking/Charging System

The automated docking/charging system accessory optimally conditions power to charge the three 21-Ahr, 12 VDC lead-acid batteries (6 A charging current max) and provides sufficient power (up to 5A) for operation of all onboard systems.

The charging mechanism and onboard power conditioning circuitry can be retrofitted to all Pioneer 3 and some Pioneer 2 and PeopleBot robots. All require return to the factory.

Alternative Battery Chargers

The center post of the charger socket is the positive (+) side of the battery; the case is the negative (-) side. A diode protects against the wrong charger polarity. Nonetheless, if you choose to use an alternative battery charger, be sure to connect positive to positive and negative to negative from charger to robot.

An alternative AC to DC converter/battery charger should sustain at least 0.75A at 13.75 to 14 VDC per battery, and not more than 2-2.5 amperes per battery.

The High-Speed Charger accessory, for example, is a four ampere charger and should be used with at least two of the standard batteries.

An alternative charger also should be voltage-and current-limited so that it cannot overcharge the batteries.

TIGHTENING THE AT DRIVE BELT

Occasionally, particularly after heavy use, the Pioneer 3- or 2- AT drive belts that mechanically link the front and rear motors on each side will loosen and slip, resulting in a load popping noise. To start, use a 3mm hex key to loosen, but not remove, the three screws on the side of the robot near the front wheel. One screw is partly behind the wheel, so with our parts kit, we included a 3mm hex key with a shortened “L” section to fit behind the wheel.

Figure 19. Loosen the AT drive belt retainer

screws first.

Figure 20. Locations of Pioneer 2- and 3-AT's belt-

tensioning bolts

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