Battery Rules
 

Where are the battery rules in the Game Manual? I looked through the manual to try to find them, but I didn't find anything.

Re: Battery Rules
 

R31 has them.

Re: Battery Rules
 

From what I read, there's only one rule for how we mount the battery... Is that correct? Or is there a section or rule other than R33 about the mounting?

Re: Battery Rules
 

That is correct.

I'll go a little more in-depth: Orientation (for use) doesn't really matter, though on the side or upright tends to be best. (For charging, upright is important.)

But what you're really after is making sure the battery doesn't move within the robot. Just using velcro might not do the trick; I know for a fact that duct tape is not going to be all that helpful. Many teams will build a battery box into their robot to hold it in one position, and then use velcro or a buckled strap to secure it down.

Re: Battery Rules
 

We have a mounting kit from Andymark that sits on it's side, would we be able to use that in a vertical position?

Re: Battery Rules
 

Re: Battery Rules
 

I don't see why you wouldn't be able to. How you do that, though, is up to you.

Re: Battery Rules
 

Thank you :)

Re: Battery Rules
 

We are doing exactly that this year - in fact the kit fits nicely in a spare piece of KoP Chassis C-Channel turned face down.

Disclaimer: Rookie Team - Rookie Mentor -- Assume I have no idea what I'm talking about. :)

Re: Battery Rules
 

Could you elaborate on this? Our current battery charger design has the batteries laying down. What is the downside of doing this? Do we have to completely redesign and rebuild our battery cart?

Re: Battery Rules
 

If the batteries need to vent when charging, they are designed to do so while sitting vertically.

Re: Battery Rules
 

My preference is to charge upright. Truth is it really doesn't matter 99.9% of the time. My UPS has one of its batteries permanently upside down. The battery manufactures generally do not recommend this. Flat is OK. AGM & glass mat batteries have very little free liquid in them. Using a smart charger & charging at recommended charge rates is more important then battery orientation.

Re: Battery Rules
 

We go through so many batteries that we would never think to charge the battery while on the robot. So orientation is not an issue for us.

Regarding the battery mounting rule:
"arbitrary orientation" includes turning the robot upside down. Basically, once secured, there is no way to remove the battery. All 6 sides of the battery must be restrained.

Some people use "compression" to hold the battery (squeeze the sides of the battery). I personally don't like it. I would much rather see a strap across the top.

Re: Battery Rules
 

Keep in mind going over the defenses loads the robot is many directions. Having the battery really secure is going to be way more important than in years past.

Re: Battery Rules
 

Would a robot that is E-Stopped because it's battery bounced out while crossing one of the DEFENSES be considered a Tortola?