[OCCRA]: Battery Charger Question

[surferacf]

I noticed something interesting at the Walled Lake Tournament. Many teams were using the Charge Xpress Charger from FIRST, which puts out 12V at 6Amps.

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p294/surferacf/battery.jpg


However, the Pre-inspection form clearly indicates that approved chargers should put out at 4 Amps.

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p294/surferacf/ruleexcerpt.jpg

So my question is: Are these chargers legal and the Pre-Inspection form is wrong, or have we all been voilating the rules?

[Mike Martus]

The charger pictured is fine.... 4 amp is a better charge rate as per the battery mfg. The unit pictured will not damage the battery life.

The faster you charge a battery (higher amp) the shorter the life of the battery.

The use of automotive chargers that are 30 amp will damage the battery after just 1 or 2 charges. Additionally there is a fire hazard as the battery gets hot.

When charging the battery check the case as it should NOT get warm.