Re: Rattling Battery?
 

While I don't see there being a battery that is clearly better than others.

There are batteries which would be more suited to the abuse and the high current draw that FRC batteries typically face.

Some Battery manufactures supply intended use information with their batteries. I have found two different types of Panasonic Batteries online, both with similar capacity. The difference lies in their intended use. One battery use statement says "UPS, Security, Alarm, Instrument, Test Equipment, Medical Equipment;This model should be used for standby use only". Where as the other battery says "battery suitable for continuous cyclic usage such as golf buggies & mobility aids/motorised scooters."

Now, the difficult thing to consider is which of these fits FRC best. Typically batteries are charged and then not used for periods of time, then when it comes to events they are rapidly discharged and then recharged continuously. Would a battery intended for a UPS or a battery intended for something like a motorised scouter be superior?

Coming back to the actual intended thread topic, the Rattling Battery seems really strange. I would recommend recycling or disposing of it, it's just not worth the risk.

Re: Rattling Battery?
 

Dave,
Generally there is nothing good about loose particles inside the battery. It is possible that someone dropped something on the cover over the pressure relief valves. Small pieces of plastic may have broken off.
It is also very likely, some of the internal plastic between cells has broken loose. If this is an AGM battery, there may not be any immediate danger. I would recycle before something occurs.
The pressure relief seals at the top of each cell I have seen are mostly rubber and would not rattle if they came loose.
Does the rattle appear restricted to the valve cover?

Re: Rattling Battery?
 

The difference between these two cases is the speed of discharge and the number of deep cycles the battery will run. FRC matches the scooter/golf cart model (motors/high peak output current, hundreds of cycles over a lifetime) much better than security/UPS (more "slow and steady" discharge when used, probably a dozen cycles per lifetime).

And yes, I concur that the rattling battery should be retired and recycled.

Re: Rattling Battery?
 

The rattling was much deeper inside, closer to the bottom than the top. I took it in for recycling.

Re: Rattling Battery?
 

Allastair,
Many of the UPS devices we have here use the same batteries that we use in FRC. Interestingly, they also have SB50 (not red) connectors on them.

Could the rattling have just been when driving or was this all the time?

My team thought we had a bad battery too... Found out it was the battery edge vibrating on a piece of wood.

Re: Rattling Battery?
 

It was definitely internal. We've since purchased new batteries.

That sucks, good to hear you replaced them

Re: Rattling Battery?
 

I've been using a little place called amazon. for 35ish.