MK 12 volt battery question

[Otaku]

Originally Posted by VEN

And it is definetly fair to all of a sudden make the batteries from previous years extinct in order to make the teams who collected their batteries from previous years and who can't afford to buy 10 extra batteries like other teams go through all the trouble of possibly losing qaulifiers due to the fact that the batteries don't charge fast enough.

Sadly there's nothing we can do about that. Might as well learn to deal with it. Big disappointment but oh well.

Yeah. 675 Had that problem last year, we didn't have enough of the Exide batteries and they do charge slow.

Very slow.

Originally Posted by sparksandtabs

Not every team is going to be in a match at the same time. We do know how to share.

Here's the thing, too. Not every team will be willing to pass out their extra batteries willy-nilly because they'll need them eventually as well, and going into a match with a half charged battery on the bot and a plethora of dead ones won't do you much good.

Oh, and don't forget that if you don't keep track of them, you might not get them back. If I'm not mistaken, 675 might have accidentally taken other teams' tools without knowing it last year (and if we did, sorry, and please confront one of us, preferably me, and notify us).

[David Brinza]

One very nice thing about this year's battery is the battery is labelled with:

Not restricted for passenger or cargo aircraft. Meets air transportation requirements under title 49 CFR173.159 and special provision A67 as decreed by IATA and ICAO.


In prior years we had a tough time dealing with some airlines and shippers. They were reluctant to ship the Exide batteries because there was no documentation proving that the batteries met the vibration, differential pressure tests, etc. required under CFR179.159. This year's battery should "fly" through the season without any problems.

P.S. I found the response to FRC845's post in the Q&A Forum less than definitive:

Batteries <R46>

MK Batteries told the member from FRC845 that batteries ES17-12 12V-18AH/20HR and ES17-12 12V-17AH/20HR are the same. Does FIRST concur with this statement or not??

[Steve W]

I asked that question on the Q&A's this morning. Let's let the GDC see if they can clarify. Basically I asked if inspectors are to go by part number or specs and if by specs how can we be sure of getting the right battery as the company seems to ship two different amp/hour but the same part number.

Watch the Q&A's for answer.

[lopz056]

hey all.i been looking all over,but i cant find where to buy a 12v 18ah mk-battery, if any of u guys would be so kind to email me a link to a good supplier, cheap would help, i would be very appreciative, my email is fortyniner_fan056@yahoo.com

[Madison]

Originally Posted by Steve W

I asked that question on the Q&A's this morning. Let's let the GDC see if they can clarify. Basically I asked if inspectors are to go by part number or specs and if by specs how can we be sure of getting the right battery as the company seems to ship two different amp/hour but the same part number.

Watch the Q&A's for answer.

Today's Team Update #5 reads, "Batteries will be inspected by part number, not by rating or serial number."

[David Brinza]

Originally Posted by David Brinza

MK Batteries told a member from FRC845 that batteries ES17-12 12V-18AH/20HR and ES17-12 12V-17AH/20HR are the same. Does FIRST concur with this statement or not??

So, assuming that ES17-12 is the MK Battery part number, both batteries are acceptable for competition per Update #5.
Agree?

[Steve W]

Originally Posted by David Brinza

So, assuming that ES17-12 is the MK Battery part number, both batteries are acceptable for competition per Update #5.
Agree?

That is correct. This was answered in both the Q&A section 10 and the latest update. Kudos to FIRST for quick response.

[masha]

Originally Posted by lopz056

hey all.i been looking all over,but i cant find where to buy a 12v 18ah mk-battery, if any of u guys would be so kind to email me a link to a good supplier, cheap would help, i would be very appreciative, my email is fortyniner_fan056@yahoo.com

Check with one of Batteries Plus stores in your area. If not, Batteries Plus in Ann Arbor MI (7349752441) has this at $45 a piece.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

As a reminder to all teams...
Make your inspectors and refs happy by NOT painting your batteries.

[Travis Schuh]

How are the batteries holding up?
How many batteries does it take to get through a regional?