Battery: Where did we go wrong?

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

What about them?

I don't like that they have buttons, selectable voltage, and selectable charge rate. The led bar graph is nice though.

[ebarker]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

I don't like that they have buttons, selectable voltage, and selectable charge rate. The led bar graph is nice though.

If they work for you and you like them, ignore my comments, but in my experience they seem to 'get lost' when changing batteries and we would just unplug the charger from the wall and re-plug it in. But it may be we are just too impatient.

Whereas the Deltran seems to have a loving attitude to our batteries much more so: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JlVqfC8-UI

[DonShaw]

First off a flooded lead acid battery is not designed to be used or charged in any other position other than upright. They should never be charged on the side as the acid may leak out and the plates may fall out of their brackets and short out.

There are two other types of batteries AGM (absorbed glass mat) may be used horizontal or at an angle but still it is recommended to be charged upright. Gel batteries are better than flooded since the plates are suspended in a jello like liquid helping hold the plates apart and perform better since the gel acts as a dampening agent.

We have transitioned over to AGM batteries for the safety of being sealed and being designed to be used at other orientations. They are also a bit more environmentally friendly since they have nominal lead in them.

Each battery has its pros and cons.

You may want to read this link on basic batteries.
http://www.batterystuff.com/kb/artic...ry-basics.html

[Ari423]

Originally Posted by DonShaw

We have transitioned over to AGM batteries for the safety of being sealed and being designed to be used at other orientations. They are also a bit more environmentally friendly since they have no lead in them.

I was under the impression that (according to 2015 rules) everyone had to use Sealed Lead-Acid batteries to power the robot.

Originally Posted by 2015 Game Manual

R20: The only legal source of electrical energy for the ROBOT during the competition, the ROBOT battery, must be a non-spillable sealed lead acid (SLA) battery with the following specifications:
A. Nominal voltage: 12V
B. Nominal capacity at 20 hour discharge rate: minimum 17Ah, maximum 18.2Ah
C. Shape: Rectangular
D. Nominal Dimensions:7.1 in x 3in. x 6.6 in (+/- .1 in. for each dimension)
E. Nominal weight: 11lbs to 14.5 lbs
F. Terminals: Nut and bolt style

Emphasis mine. Maybe I'm misinterpreting?

[BBray_T1296]

Originally Posted by Ari423

I was under the impression that (according to 2015 rules) everyone had to use Sealed Lead-Acid batteries to power the robot.

Emphasis mine. Maybe I'm misinterpreting?

Perhaps during non-competition use?

[cgmv123]

Originally Posted by Ari423

I was under the impression that (according to 2015 rules) everyone had to use Sealed Lead-Acid batteries to power the robot.

AGM is a type of sealed lead-acid battery. I don't know why he says they have no lead, because they do.

[BBray_T1296]

Originally Posted by cgmv123

AGM is a type of sealed lead-acid battery. I don't know why he says they have no lead, because they do.

Does any AGM battery exist that meets R20?

Originally Posted by 4.8-R20 - 2015

R20
The only legal source of electrical energy for the ROBOT during the competition, the ROBOT battery, must be a non-spillable
sealed lead acid (SLA) battery with the following specifications:
A. Nominal voltage: 12V
B. Nominal capacity at 20 hour discharge rate: minimum 17Ah, maximum 18.2Ah
C. Shape: Rectangular
D. Nominal Dimensions:7.1 in x 3in. x 6.6 in (+/- .1 in. for each dimension)
E. Nominal weight: 11lbs to 14.5 lbs
F. Terminals: Nut and bolt style

Blue Box
EXAMPLES of batteries which meet this criteria include:
Enersys (P/N: NP18-12, NP18-12B, NP18-12BFR)
MK Battery (P/N: ES17-12)
Battery Mart (P/N: SLA-12V18)
Sigma (P/N: SP12-18)
Universal Battery (P/N: UB12180)
Power Patrol (P/N: SLA1116)
Werker Battery (P/N: WKA12-18NB)
Power Sonic (P/N: PS-12180NB)
Yuasa (P/N: NP18-12B)
Panasonic (P/N: LC-RD-1217)
Interstate Batteries (P/N: BSL1116)
Teams should be aware that they may be asked to provide documentation of the specifications of any battery not listed above.
Batteries should be charged in accordance with manufacturer’s specification. The battery charger output should not exceed 6 amps and they must have the corresponding Anderson connector installed. (Please see the FIRST Safety Manual for additional information.)
/Blue Box