2011 Legal Batteries?

[fox46]

Well I've searched the Q&A and CD but have been unable to find an answer to my question. Q&A has not responded yet so I figured I would ask on CD as well. We recently set out to purchase some spare batteries after finding out nearly all of ours were well past their performance lifespan. After finding a local vendor, we gave them a call and asked for four "EnerSys NP18-12B" batteries. They said it would be no problem and a short time later our sponsor drove out and picked them up. After checking them out, they are labelled as "PowerSonic" PS-12180" http://www.powersonic.com/images/pow...10_June_22.pdf

The vendor insists that they are identical to the EnerSys NP18-12B KOP batteries and cites the datasheet as proof. I know in previous years they have been ruthless about making sure teams are running the exact KOP batteries. I have checked the inspection checklist, rules etc and am faily sure they will not permit these but I am looking for some other opinions to back up my gut feeling before demanding they give us our money back. Will they allow rebranded batteries provided we supply them with the appropriate datasheets showing they are identical to the EnerSys and MK? Nearly every place we call wants to sell us their own brand of "identical to NP18-12B" batteries. Do we send them back and demand a refund for not delivering the product we requested or are they indeed legal for use provided we back them up with the appropriate datasheets?

Furthermore, I have found another local company which has in stock "EnerSys NP18-12FR" This vendor has told us that they are made by EnerSys, have identical performance to the -B versions but the only difference is that these have a grey fire retardant (-FR) case. (Just like the MKs I assume) Do you guys think that these would be allowed?

Thanks