Battery

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Aj,
One and only one battery is permitted on the robot, see R34. Other battery types are allowed if and only if they are part of a COTS computing device or enclosed camera. Weight may be added provided a few items are met.
Free weights, steel plate, vises, etc. must be firmly attached to the robot. Ty-wraps, tape, wire, twine or rope, etc. do not meet the "firmly attached" definition. Attachments can be appropriate hardware, welding, etc.
As to lead, it must be entirely painted or sealed prior to attending an event. It may not be machined at the event.
As to other types of weight, notably shot, sand, liquid, etc., this must be enclosed in a container that will not spill or crack open with the forces normally encountered on the field. More than once, teams have added these items and we spent considerable time cleaning the residue from the field.
Considering the nature of the game, if you climb, it seems that additional weight would work against you.

[Cal578]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

One and only one battery is permitted on the robot, see R34....

R34 actually says:

The only legal source of electrical energy for the ROBOT during the competition, the ROBOT battery, is one of the
following 12VDC non-spillable lead acid batteries:...

I'm not saying that using a battery as ballast is a great idea, but is it automatically ruled out by R34? If the ballast battery has nothing connected to its leads, then it's not a source of electrical energy for the ROBOT.

Of course, there are safety issues to be addressed, and I think there are better ways of adding ballast to a robot. But, I can't resist a good debate. I'm just saying I don't think the battery as ballast is inherently illegal.

[ehochstein]

Originally Posted by Cal578

I'm not saying that using a battery as ballast is a great idea, but is it automatically ruled out by R34? If the ballast battery has nothing connected to its leads, then it's not a source of electrical energy for the ROBOT.

Of course, there are safety issues to be addressed, and I think there are better ways of adding ballast to a robot. But, I can't resist a good debate. I'm just saying I don't think the battery as ballast is inherently illegal.

That is why I didn't quote R34, it is debatable if the battery is not being used as an energy source. I think for safety's sake it should not be legal, and if you were to ask it on Q & A they would probably rule against you using it as a counter-weight.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Cal,
Please note that all references to the battery in the robot rules is in the singular, meaning one. This has been answered in the Q&A for several years in this fashion. However, I do not remember seeing that question asked this year. If there is still some confusion, someone should ask to remove all doubt.

[cgmv123]

I would say that having an extra part of acid and lead is by definition unsafe. One is dangerous enough.