Best way to charge batteries

[iKiel2012]

I charge batteries at the lowest setting that the charger allows, which in this case is 2 amps. It takes longer to charge them, but the life of the battery itself is extended. We only increase the charging rate during elimination matches if we happen to be running low.

[Bill_B]

One way to help with the cycling of your batteries is to name them. If you haven't seen "Judy" for a while or "Grace" or "Hermione" then your battery usage cycle is faulty. Part of reducing maltreatment is ease of identification.

[Doc Wu]

Originally Posted by Bill_B

One way to help with the cycling of your batteries is to name them. If you haven't seen "Judy" for a while or "Grace" or "Hermione" then your battery usage cycle is faulty. Part of reducing maltreatment is ease of identification.

I agree, but the only problem with that is remembering who comes after "Judy," was it "Grace" or "Hermione?"

Numbering or lettering is unambiguous.

Overuse of a particular battery, either at random or by choice, increases the chance that the battery will become damaged by heat, or just get used up and reach it's end of life sooner than other batteries of the same "vintage."

I've found our team saying things like "We drove really well that last match. What battery did we use? Can we use it again?" You need a person in charge of your battery charging that can say "No, it's not ready yet. Use the next one in the rotation. Number 3 is up next."

I think giving batteries names would increase the chance of unbalanced use, either by confusion, or by favoritism: "I like Grace, it's my dog's name."

But, if it works for your team, go for it. as long as it achieves the goal of balancing use and giving time to charge/cool equally.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

2014-1, 2014-2, 2014-3 works well.

[MrForbes]

Originally Posted by Doc Wu

I test the batteries each year on a CBA III. I then use those results to decide what batteries will be kept and which will get recycled. Even new batteries get a test (time permitting).

What is your experience for battery life? Most of our batteries are from 2011, and they still work well. I've seen batteries last only a year or two, these ones are pleasantly surprising me. And we don't maintain them nearly well enough, they sit over the summer with no charging, and use/maintenance in the fall is sporadic.

edit: we have our batteries identified by year and letter, 2011-A, 2011-B, 2014-J, etc and try to keep them in rotation

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by Doc Wu

I agree, but the only problem with that is remembering who comes after "Judy," was it "Grace" or "Hermione?"

Numbering or lettering is unambiguous.

I think giving batteries names would increase the chance of unbalanced use, either by confusion, or by favoritism: "I like Grace, it's my dog's name."

But, if it works for your team, go for it. as long as it achieves the goal of balancing use and giving time to charge/cool equally.

Well Hermione would come after Grace and would be followed by Izzy and then Judy. Same as using A, B, C ect.