Thread: Battery failures?
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Unread 02-04-2013, 12:48
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SteveGarward SteveGarward is offline
Red 5, standing by...
AKA: 7 years already
FRC #0111 (WildStang), FRC #3132 (Thunder Down Under)
Team Role: Mentor
  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Rookie Year: 2010
Location: Gurnee, IL
Posts: 173
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Re: Battery failures?
We have had two, new 2013-purchased MK batteries fail this year. Both times the batteries leaked acid from the vent area, and both times were in practice at our field.

This year we have our battery lying down under the robot, with a plug-type piece keeping it captive in place, holding it on the top. We think that the leaks occurred due to it being a tight fit, and taking a few hard hits during practice against other robots. This may have put enough pressure on the seals to break them enough to allow a small leak. We have since replaced the plug with one that is shorter and added more foam to each end to help absorb impact. Since then we have not had another failure.

Thankfully both times, the leak was small, found quickly, and any spill was cleaned up fast. Just in a very inconvenient location.
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FRC Team 111 - WildStang (Mentor, Drive Coach)
FTC Team 7458 - Full Force! (Mentor, Coach)
FRC Team 3132 - Australia's FIRST FRC Team! (Holy crazy first year, Batman!)