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Unread 21-10-2004, 16:37
Unsung FIRST Hero
JVN JVN is offline
@JohnVNeun
AKA: John Vielkind-Neun
FRC #0148 (Robowranglers)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: May 2001
Rookie Year: 2000
Location: Greenville, Tx
Posts: 3,159
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Re: Mechanical tips for rookies

Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfred
Oh, and remember that while it is important to keep your batteries juiced, you may not have to charge them every match...
BAD ADVICE!
DANGER!

Bill,
I'm gonna come right out and say you're wrong.
You ALWAYS want to put the freshest battery you have on the robot. Brownouts/lowvoltage can KILL you at a critical moment in a match.

Every team should implement some kind of battery management system (ours is a senior named "Aaron"). Trust me, you don't want to die at that critical moment because your battery died.

Charge every match.
Charge constantly.
Keep multiple batteries on charge.

Also, be familiar with your chargers. The ones that take 8 hours to fully trickle charge a battery are NOT going to cut it during the heat of competition.

John
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In the interest of full disclosure: I work for VEX Robotics a subsidiary of Innovation First International (IFI) Crown Supplier & Proud Supporter of FIRST