Batteries in Crate?
 

I was wondering if we are required to ship the batteries with the robot. I know we need to do special packaging if we ship it. But our team lives very close to both regionals we are attending and therefore we wanted to carry the batteries to the events ourselves. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank You

Re: Batteries in Crate?
 

6.3.4 Crate Contents (Required)
Teams must include the robot and the two batteries. You must carefully and completely follow all of the instructions above listed in the “Battery Packaging“ section. If the federal regulations are not followed, your robot may not make the event(s).

ID: 1372
Q: if you live local to your competition, do you still have to ship the batteries with the robot
A: No. You can bring them.

ID: 1447
Q: if you live local to your competition, do you still have to ship the batteries with the robot
A: No. You can bring them.

Re: Batteries in Crate?
 

or if you are shipping by bus or car you could carry with you according to q&a system as well

Re: Batteries in Crate?
 

Last I knew, 45 was still shipping 2 batteries with the robot even though our first regional is at Purdue, which is just about 45mins to an hour away. I would say just to be safe go ahead and ship it.

Re: Batteries in Crate?
 

Wouldn't being safe be not shipping hazardous materials and just carrying the batteries with you to regionals?

Re: Batteries in Crate?
 

I'm guessing Kyle meant by saying "to be safe" as, be safe and ship them since you don't need them, and you won't chance forgetting them. :ahh:

Cause, that would really suck.

Re: Batteries in Crate?
 

Q & A is offical
my team is bringing the batteries and probably the RC as well
everything else will ship

Re: Batteries in Crate?
 

i was under the impression that we HAD to ship the RC. The batteries were optional, but the RC was definite. If its not, then i can set the 2 that are working on that onto something else.

Re: Batteries in Crate?
 

The RC must be in the robot (or with it if not installed), but you don't have to ship the operator interface. If FIRST says you don't have to ship the battery, you don't have to. However, what happens if you get to go to nationals and can't fit the batteries in the crate?

BTW, no limits on bringing extra batteries to the competition. (According to FIRST, anyway.)

--Eric

Re: Batteries in Crate?
 

I was always under that impression too; that the RC was part of the robot and must be shipped. However, 6.3.4 says you may keep all of your robot controls (Operator Interface, OI power supply, joysticks, etc.)

Does the RC fall under "etc"? I wouldn't think so, but then again I'm not completely sure. Perhaps a question should be posed to Q&A.

Re: Batteries in Crate?
 

would anyone mind posting this in the Q&A, my mentor lost the password to post anything in there. If we can keep the electronics board, we will be, i have alot to do.

Thanks

Re: Batteries in Crate?
 

The RC must be shipped with the robot in the crate. When Section 6.3.4 refers to the items that may be retained after the ship date, they are specifically referring to the elements that make up the operator controls (the OI, power supply, transmitter, joysticks, etc.).

-dave

Re: Batteries in Crate?
 

Well the Fix-It Window that exists from the ship date till Thursday 2/24 @ 5PM is kind of useless for software then isn't it.

Re: Batteries in Crate?
 

Please, someone correct me if I'm wrong; but can't you update the firmware on the 2004 RC, and use that to aid in software development during the Fix-It window?

<R54> You must operate your robot with the wireless, programmable Innovation First 2005 Robot Control System. Note: you may use the 2004 Robot Controller, but must upgrade its firmware to the latest 2005 version code by downloading the new code from the IFI website.

Programming from IFI

Re: Batteries in Crate?
 

OK, so maybe not totally useless. If the 2004 RC can be updated than it can be somewhat useful. But I bet alot of teams wished they could keep the RC, camera, and whatever else they needed to test their auton during the Fix-It window, it would be a big help.