Thread: Battery life
View Single Post
  #8   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 10-02-2013, 23:57
fox46's Avatar
fox46 fox46 is offline
Registered User
FRC #2013 (Cybergnomes)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Rookie Year: 2000
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Posts: 400
fox46 has a reputation beyond reputefox46 has a reputation beyond reputefox46 has a reputation beyond reputefox46 has a reputation beyond reputefox46 has a reputation beyond reputefox46 has a reputation beyond reputefox46 has a reputation beyond reputefox46 has a reputation beyond reputefox46 has a reputation beyond reputefox46 has a reputation beyond reputefox46 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Battery life

What did you do with your batteries after the competition last year? Lead acid batteries like the ones we use must be maintained, not just thrown in a closet. They should be occasionally put on charge and topped up. If a battery was discharged and left to sit, its condition will degrade over time and the capacity will diminish. The addage "Use it or lose it" should be followed when caring for your batteries.

I would bet that your batteries have perished due to poor storage practice or are defective.

Charge your batteries up, then get yourself a battery load tester like this one http://www.princessauto.com/pal/prod...ry-Load-Tester. If the cables and clamps attached to the tester are any smaller than the type of wire we use to connect the battery to the robot (6 gauge) then it's not a proper load tester. Test the batteries under load to see if they are defective. You can also take them (fully charged of course) to an automotive shop and ask them to test them with a similar load tester. Some autoparts stores offer free alternator and battery testing and will also have the equipment to perform a similar load test.

A voltmeter will not tell you if the batteries are good. They must be loaded heavily and the voltage drop measured to determine if they are truly good or defective.
__________________
Mentor, Team 2013 Cybergnomes 2010 - 2014, 2016
Mentor, Team 3756 RamFerno 2011 - 2013
Mentor, Team 854 Iron Bears 2005-2007
Founding member, Team 854 Iron Bears 2000-2005

Mech.Eng.+Mgt University of Ontario 2009
B.Ed OCT Trent University 2015
Professional Education and Product Knowledge Consultant - Toyota Canada Inc.

Last edited by fox46 : 11-02-2013 at 00:19.