What battery chargers ?

[sanelss]

Originally Posted by EricH

Of course, there's one big problem with this statement...

I have the 2016 Game Manual on my desktop, but no password (yet--give it less than 36 hours and we'll take care of that). We'll find out whether this is still the case for this year when we can open the rules.

the safety manual is already out and accessible and they have a specific section for charging batteries which has been the same as previous years from what I can tell so the ruling in that regard should be the same.

[Bruceb]

Originally Posted by bcampbell

We use Auto Meters BUSPRO-660. It charges 6 batteries independently of each other at the same time and has indication lights for charge levels as well as if the charger detects problems with any of the batteries. The charger will adjust voltage/current once batteries are charged and will maintain a full charge on all of the batteries.

Here is a link to the product page. http://www.autometer.com/6-station-a...-115v-agm.html

We also created a battery cart designed specifically for this charger with the charger mounted vertically. The cart hold 10 batteries (6 charging and 4 storage) and has wheels for easy transportation to events

Have you found that having 6 chargers available is enough? We have been running 6 of the KOP chargers for a few years with 3 batteries in backup and there have been times when the oldest battery on the charger was not fully charged when needed.

[Sperkowsky]

Originally Posted by Bruceb

Have you found that having 6 chargers available is enough? We have been running 6 of the KOP chargers for a few years with 3 batteries in backup and there have been times when the oldest battery on the charger was not fully charged when needed.

We have 4-5 batteries charging and 4-5 in storage at all times. If we pre charge all the batteries a night before we have no problem getting through all of our matches putting batteries on at 100%. It helps that our robots are generally simpler requiring less power in general.

[Bruceb]

the battery tender is a max 2amp charger. Is that enough to ket them fuly charged at a competition? We have been running 6 of the KOP chargers at 6 amps and that is not always enough.

[techhelpbb]

Is the issue the charger drawing 6A from the outlet or charging the battery with more than 6A?

Either way: why not simply insert a fuse at the limited current such that no one can accuse you of exceeding it because the fuse would open?

[MrBasse]

Originally Posted by Bruceb

the battery tender is a max 2amp charger. Is that enough to ket them fuly charged at a competition? We have been running 6 of the KOP chargers at 6 amps and that is not always enough.

Running ten batteries we have never had battery number 1 not been charged as we get to number 7 or 8. Usually its earlier than that depending on schedule and practice field use.

We used to use the kop chargers and found that they would say 75% full when a battery was just cooking itself because it was done. Or they would report 100% when they were nowhere near done charging. Battery-Tender is pretty well known for maintaining batteries, and this charger hasn't dissapointed. We leave ours plugged in year round with occasional breaks for holidays when th e school wants all electric items off. We have batteries from 2012 that still rank near new using battery testers. We retire them to practice just because we get new ones in the kop or in FIRST Choice.

[MrBasse]

Originally Posted by techhelpbb

Is the issue the charger drawing 6A from the outlet or charging the battery with more than 6A?

Either way: why not simply insert a fuse at the limited current such that no one can accuse you of exceeding it because the fuse would open?

I'm not sure that would be okay to do. Part of the reason why chargers don't get a lot of second guesses is because they meet specifications and are rated when produced. Anything you add to them has potential to decertify them for safety. I know what your saying doesn't make them more dangerous, but we had to have a lengthy discussion between the green shirts and our team electrical engineering mentor when we built a custom charging box that involved gang charging and voltage meters. They were concerned because we split charging between two batteries. The conversation was lengthy, but educational for all who witnessed it.

You probably could, just be sure that you have someone thre that is very confident in their wiring and also in their ability to explain why things were done the way they were.

Also, what happens when you set your chargers up and go to lunch then return to find all your batteries uncharged with blown fuses on your chargers?

The explanation we heard was that there should be no way possible for the charger to exceed 6 amps. If it was capable, you had to demonstrate that it never could in the mode you were using.

[techhelpbb]

Originally Posted by MrBasse

Also, what happens when you set your chargers up and go to lunch then return to find all your batteries uncharged with blown fuses on your chargers?

That would be a dead giveaway you have exceeded 6A.
The whole idea is not only won't this mode allow 6+A but it can't get over that anyway.

Also do other people know how to turn off your chargers?
Cause leaving them totally unattended like that...

[MrBasse]

Originally Posted by techhelpbb

That would be a dead giveaway you have exceeded 6A.
The whole idea is not only won't this mode allow 6+A but it can't get over that anyway.

Also do other people know how to turn off your chargers?
Cause leaving them totally unattended like that...

I know the point of it, but inspectors and safety folk don't always see the light...

Yeah, they use the giant on/off switch on the front of it . It comes home with me over the summer and lives in my garage. The charger in question is from a company known for battery chargers and maintainers that run continuously. This one is also designed for continuous use. Just check the fan from time to time and make sure the fan filter is clean and all is well.

[snoman]

some pics of our charger station