[DonRotolo]

Welcome to CD. You made a good choice by asking here, since we love to help. And I am sure you understand that using anyhting designed before the season starts is against the rules. Sorry.

For the battery:
Low is good. Protected is good too.

Accessible is critical. You change batteries very often. But make sure no matter what it won't come out (including upside down robots...)

Make absolutely positively certain that the battery terminals cannot touch any ANY metal robot parts. If it does, "Flash, Bang, Send for Help" is sure to happen.

The wires from the battery, through the main circult breaker, to the power distribution board, should all be as short as possible. These wires are heavy, and you do lose power in them, so shorter is better. This means, location should consider other parts.

The orientation of the battery in the robot is NOT important - flat, upright, even upside down are all OK. (Upright for charging though).

Last, if you have a spare week or three, search "Battery" on Chief Delphi and read all the posts from the last decade. You will truly be an expert if you do that.

Good luck in the season, and post often.