New main battery connectors allowed

[Al Skierkiewicz]

One connector and one set of wires. This rule is primarily for those teams wishing to use the SB120 series with the larger wire for the primary supply wiring on their robot. As have been discussed in many previous threads, there is very little improvement using this method. Adapters from SB50 to SB120 will be allowed should the need arise to use a Spare Parts battery. Adapters will not be provided and modification of Spare Parts batteries will not be allowed.

Many people have asked over the years about failures in the SB50 connectors due to over current. I have inspected more than 20 failures of these connectors, including one of our own. Not one failed due to the current. Every one I inspected failed due to mishandling, modification or failure to engage. About half were caused by team members bending the contact springs to make insertion easier. Most of the remainder were due to severe wear and/or severe corrosion on the contact surface.