The GDC has spoken and batteries with assembled connectors attached must be included as part of the Withholding Allowance.
http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=12068
[rant]
I'm just going to come out and say it, I think this is ridiculous. I understand the need to establish a firm definition of what is COTS and what isn't for the purposes of this rule, but requiring teams to rewire all of their batteries at the event seems rather pointless to me. I can say for certain that I am done with this whole "Try to understand the reasoning behind a rule" garbage as there have been many cases this year where my best understanding of the reasoning wasn't even on the same planet as the GDC's.
My team is small and now one or more of our members will have to spend the beginning of their day on Thursday connecting lugs and covering terminals in electrical tape. Does this help even the playing field? If so between us and who exactly?
I am now beginning to wonder if we need to forfeit any awards/matches from previous years as in both '07 and '08 we brought assembled batteries to the competition by hand. We brought at least 2 batteries to each event which would be in violation of the 25 lb. limit specified by <R41> of the 2008 Competition Manual and <R31> of the 2007 Competition Manual. I guess it's time to figure out where to send these trophies back to
I have seen many veteran teams offering assistance to others (both rookie and veteran) by lending them batteries during eliminations. I sincerely hope that this ruling does not cause a single battery to be left behind because of the hassle introduced.
[/rant]