AM Battery Tray Problem

[Walter Deitzler]

So, we opened up the AM battery trey that is sold in addition to the AM14U and, after mounting to our AM14U, we discovered a pretty big problem, the battery does not fit.

Anybody else seem to be having this problem?

Thanks.

[Sparky3D]

We had the same problem when we installed it the first time. The holes on the chassis seemed like they were a little too close together for the battery to fit properly. We ended up cutting a piece of wood the width of the battery, jamming it in the tray to spread it out a bit, and then drilling new holes in the chassis for it. Now it fits fine. ;)

[magnets]

the size of the batteries is not consistent between batteries, and can even bloat out sometimes. We've gotten a battery stuck in a wooden battery box once, and we could take it out with a rubber mallet. We had to take apart the robot. If you're building a battery box, make sure that whatever holds it on the side is adjustable, and that it's held down with some sort of strap, or something that can be ok with slight variations in height.

[DonRotolo]

We use 1/2" thick high-density closed-cell foam to surround the battery. Not only does it allow for size variation, it helps dampen vibration (batteries hate vibration).

[zeldathegood]

Yes, we are having the same problem. we have 4 batteries, 1 doesn't fit at all, 1 fits but will not come back out and the 2 others work like a dream. I think we will try the 'jamming the wood' trick. Can they post a picture?

[Walter Deitzler]

This year we decided to go with the AM battery tray because of its design to mount to our KOP frame. So, that is what we are syciking with. We eventually got ours to fit by loosening the bolts just enough to have the battery bend the aluminum out, so now it works.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

What sides of the battery is it sticking on? The short sides or the long sides?

[zeldathegood]

We are sticking due to the length of the batteries.

[rwkling1]

Yes, this happened to us also. We just made the holes a little bit larger and spread out the bracket while we tightened it, now it's fine.

[Liz Smith]

There is some variation in the sizes of the batteries and the bends on the AM14U battery bracket. Here are some tips in getting the batteries fit in the bracket while still remaining snug.

1. Open up the 0.2" diameter mounting holes, both on the bracket and the AM14U Cross Brace. Make them a new diameter of 0.25".

2. Put the battery in the bracket while the screws are not yet tight. Also, put a 1/16" thick wedge or slip of plastic between the battery and the face of the aluminum bracket. Wedging this shim between the aluminum and battery will be difficult, but it will help with setting up the fit.

3. With the plastic wedge or shim in place, tighten the mounting screws for the bracket.

4. Pull out the plastic wedge or shim.

We are using this bracket on the our robot for 3940 and have used this method to get our batteries to fit nicely.