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Unread 18-05-2011, 18:43
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Mentor (1114), Alumni (772)
AKA: Aaron Koscielski
FRC #1114 (Simbotics)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: LaSalle, Ontario, Canada
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Re: Better Battaries for Driver Pratice

Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz View Post
OK,
Let's get some info straight here and in one place.
1. Our batteries are specified by the manufacturer to be charged at 6 amps or less. Battery life can be significantly increased when charged at 1/10 C or about 2 amps.
2. Life is significantly reduced by heavy loads like an FRC robot drawing currents in excess of 200 amps over a two minute match.
3. Charging at high current on our batteries causes internal heating and the possibility of out-gassing and case failure if the vents do not operate.
4. Our batteries are AGM types and the plates within the cells are not as robust as older technology lead-acid batteries.
5. Excessive heat within the battery causes the plates to deform, leading to internal shorts and a variety of other issues leading to lower battery life.
6. Hot batteries during charge can fool many/most smart chargers into producing damaging voltage/current during the charge cycle.
7. AGM batteries are nothing like NiMH, NiCd, LiPO, Li ION or other types and each requires a specific type of charger. Do not mix chargers and battery types.
Thanks for the clarification. Now I know. Although our team does NOT charge them at 15 or 10 amps, so we should not have a problem with any of this
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