Question about battery placement
 

Can I place the battery on its side?
Or is there some rule that says I shouldn't..?

Re: Question about battery placement
 

There is no rule prohibiting this.

Re: Question about battery placement
 

although there is no rule against it you should make sure that the battery is not going to fall out.:ahh:

Re: Question about battery placement
 

If you mount it on it's side, make sure the terminals can't short out against the frame. I've heard some horror stories about that.

Re: Question about battery placement
 

One of our mentors told us that we shouldn't mount the battery on its side because it would provide less power (something about the electrolyte settling). From what I know about gel cells, this does not make much sense to me.

Anyone know who's right?

Re: Question about battery placement
 

Electrical arcing to an aluminum robot frame creates enough heat to melt the metal. The short circuit current can severely damage batteries, to the point of breaking the containment -- this can have disastrous consequences, such as acid burns, noxious fumes, fire, etc.

Don't let it happen on your robot.

Re: Question about battery placement
 

I guess specifics are a bit more . . enlightening. :D

Re: Question about battery placement
 

We have been running our batteries on their sides for as long as I have been on the team with no trouble.