Best place to buy batteries and a charger?

[Nathan]

Any suggestions on the cheapest place to buy two 12V batteries and a charger? I see that AndyMark has them, but they seem kind of expensive..

[protoserge]

Search for the legal model numbers in the rules (R31). I've used Battery Sharks (http://www.batterysharks.com) before and they were pretty good. I got Sigma batteries for $32 each plus shipping two years ago.

The 3 bay charger AndyMark carries is great and is the cheapest price you will find. It has the Anderson connector already wired vs. cheaper units available elsewhere.

[wilsonmw04]

Search for the legal model numbers in the rules (R31). I've used Battery Sharks (http://www.batterysharks.com) before and they were pretty good. I got Sigma batteries for $23 each plus shipping two years ago.

The 3 bay charger AndyMark carries is great and is the cheapest price you will find. It has the Anderson connector already wired vs. cheaper units available elsewhere.

I can agree with the AM charger. It has a good form factor and does its job quite well. Oh, and the price can't be beat!

[Joe Ross]

AndyMark prices are reasonable for a MK ES17-12. Because of how heavy the batteries are, you will save a lot of money if you can avoid shipping.

We are able to pick up batteries from the local MK warehouse, which is about an hour away. Now that there are many more legal batteries, many teams shouldn't have a problem finding local sources.

One thing to realize when searching for batteries is that if you ask for a specific battery part number, they may give you another battery that is equivalent, but may not be FRC legal. Be sure to double check.

Chargers can be found at any auto parts store.

[AllenGregoryIV]

We have had success with these chargers (http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Raider-12-Volt-6-AMP-Smart-Charger/5232975/product.html?refccid=I5HTX4MZCTXJZ6CDTXPOYD7T3M&searchidx=0). We have purchased them for as low as $28 each.

We have ordered batteries directly from MK in the past and they have not charged us shipping when we told them we were an FRC team.

[Nathan]

We have had success with these chargers (http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Raider-12-Volt-6-AMP-Smart-Charger/5232975/product.html?refccid=I5HTX4MZCTXJZ6CDTXPOYD7T3M&searchidx=0). We have purchased them for as low as $28 each.

We have ordered batteries directly from MK in the past and they have not charged us shipping when we told them we were an FRC team.

Thanks for the link to the charger, that's a lot cheaper than all the others I've seen!

Has anyone ordered from batteryuniverse.com? Two batteries shipped from them is $72:

http://www.batteryuniverse.com/sealed-lead-acid/mk-battery/es17-12/vrla12180nb-mk-battery-es17-12-sealed-lead-acid-battery

[Joe Ross]

Has anyone ordered from batteryuniverse.com? Two batteries shipped from them is $72:

http://www.batteryuniverse.com/sealed-lead-acid/mk-battery/es17-12/vrla12180nb-mk-battery-es17-12-sealed-lead-acid-battery

It's not an MK battery

Aftermarket replacement sealed lead acid battery replaces MK Battery ES17-12 battery.

[Nathan]

It's not an MK battery

Oooh, sneaky. Thanks!

[cgmv123]

It's not an MK battery

Oooh, sneaky. Thanks!

It should be equivalent, and the manual says to email FIRST for approval if you have an equivalent battery.

[protoserge]

It's not an MK battery

Pay attention to this.

The battery brands are always in flux. OP, you haven't already, reference the list provided in the rules (http://frc-manual.usfirst.org/viewItem/3) R31. If it is not listed there, it has not been ruled legal yet.

To seek approval for an equivalent battery, please contact frcparts@usfirst.org with the battery supplier and part number. Approved batteries will be added to the list above.

[FrankJ]

We purchase our chargers from Walmart. They have 6 amp smart chargers at a reasonable price.

Anybody notice the 6 amp limitation for chargers is not in the manual this year. Or perhaps somebody will correct me & tell me where it is.

[Seth Mallory]

AGM batteries tend to lose capacity at high charge rates. For our radio group the rule of thumb is do not charge at higher then 1/3 the rated amp hours of the battery. A 6 amp charger is close enough to 5.67 amps to work fine.


Most important if you purchase batteries get fresh ones. You can have the date codes checked and avoid old ones.

[AllenGregoryIV]

Just put in my order with MK.

We bought, 6 x ES17-12s for $37.50 each. That's with shipping.

Customer Service#: 800-372-9253
Lisa is who I have spoke with each time, she is pretty great.

[Doc Wu]

Wal Mart also carries the Universal Battery model in the list of approved batteries in their online store. With free shipping to your local store, that might save some shipping if you don't have a battery outlet nearby.

Also, note that the list of approved batteries was expanded to nine models/brands in a recent update.

[TikiTech]

We have been using the Schumacher SSC-1000a. It is a good charger with 2/6/10amp intelligent charge modes.. It is available at Amazon for $40 with free shipping, free two day if you are a Prime member. We just change the 40amp clamps to the Anderson connector and you have a good safe charging system. You can get three cheaper than the AndyMark triple charger and have a higher charge mode available. Only drawback is that you have a bigger footprint and power outlet needs. Though personally I would rather have three separate units. If you have an issue with a triple charger you have no charger...

Here is a link for you..

http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SSC-1000A-SpeedCharge-Battery-Maintainer/dp/B0009IBJE4/ref=sr_1_1/181-7498006-1371553?ie=UTF8&qid=1393459275&sr=8-1&keywords=schumacher+ssc-1000a

Good luck this season!
Aloha

[Bill_B]

Something of a puzzle to get the small gauge wire connected to the batteries without using the surface-disturbing clips that come with the charger. post or message me if you want instructions on how to hitch the big anderson connectors to the small charging cable. I put four of those chargers onto a cart a while ago.

[Doc Wu]

Something of a puzzle to get the small gauge wire connected to the batteries without using the surface-disturbing clips that come with the charger. post or message me if you want instructions on how to hitch the big anderson connectors to the small charging cable. I put four of those chargers onto a cart a while ago.

Don't hold out. Lots of people read this and would like to know how you do it.

The best way we've found is to buy some SB-50 shells with the proper sized contacts. APP makes some that easily solder to a 10-12-14 gauge wire.

[Bill_B]

I put in a temporary hack to adapt the cables coming up on two years ago. It's working OK so I have little incentive to correct it. Look at original posting (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1154760&postcount=25) for short description and a couple of detail pics. More pics attached along with a shot of the mostly finished cart. This method has the advantage of allowing the battery side of the cables to be easily reused. There is electrical tape now covering the terminal adapter and ziptie. I really should find those Anderson replacement connectors and staple them to the cart in case I get enough energy to install them.

[AllenGregoryIV]

The best way we've found is to buy some SB-50 shells with the proper sized contacts. APP makes some that easily solder to a 10-12-14 gauge wire.

That's how we do it too, though I always run out of connectors because we fix other teams chargers at events. I haven't bought any this year but I would have liked to have them with me when I was working at Alamo this weekend.

This is where (http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANDERSON-CONNECTOR-SB50-10-12AWG-RED-24V-LOT-OF-10-/131117389585?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e87349711) I normally get mine.

[Doc Wu]

Bill_B I actually like your way of doing it as well, because you are mounting the terminal block in your charging stand. I've seen so many teams with battery pigtails spliced onto the charger cord and taped up. It works, but it looks so ghetto!

[safiq10]

We have had great luck with the andymark 3 battery charger. But their one charger we had that I warn against buying I dont remember what it is called but I will check on it Tomorrow.:yikes: