Team 25: World's Fastest Battery Cart

[Morgan Gillespie]

Originally Posted by JBotAlan

I was hoping for a happy ending--"we pulled over, got the box and continued with our event" or something...oh well. Life goes on.

Sadly no, this story really didn't have much of a happy ending. When we eventually did get to the event, the one timing belt we had been using since build season through 2 regionals, Championships, and 2 offseasons, snaps. We replaced it and played on. Luckily our toolbox containing our extra belts, which was also stowed in the lower storage compartment of the bus, did not fall out. I guess the "happy ending" is that nothing bad happened after that.

Lessons learned, we recover. Yet I must say, we now have one strangely awesome story to tell. Plus when ever we see the busted charger or battery, anyone who was on the trip is going to have a big smile on their face.

[Qbranch]

HOLY COW! I can't believe that happened to you! I'm gald some other teams offrered you their assistance. On that part i can kind of sympathize... when we went to Nationals this year, one of our three ups boxes had gotten there on time... and of all the boxes to get... it was our giveaways! we had no chargers, no tools, no zip ties, nothing, just our control pannel and a few batteries.

The team behind us (i can't remember the number!) was a godsend. We ended up opening the little curtain thingies they put between the rows and had basically a communal pit... after our stuff got there finally on friday we still kept the curtain open... it was a really great experienc afterwards. Always awesome to see gracious professionalism in action.

I'm also amazed that ANY of your batteries or chargers made it through that accident... major props to MK batteries and the CarQuest battery chargers.

-q

[Akash Rastogi]

Yea, that really stinks. =/
Atleast now you can have fun building another one

[galewind]

When we were at the event, the participating teams took a group picture. And right before the shot, Mr. Cokeley said "Everyone say 'BATTERIES!'" or something along those lines. It was a bit amusing, although unfortunate.

[Chief Pride]

a picture of it dragging/exploding would have been cool, but that really sucks about losing everything o.O

[Alexa Stott]

Originally Posted by zinefer

a picture of it dragging/exploding would have been cool, but that really sucks about losing everything o.O

Yeah, we all wished we had pictures of it, but that wasn't really our priority at the time...

These things have the highest crash testing rating in their class, and are, as labeled by Morgan, "highway tested."

[Josh Murphy]

When I was reading this I actually pictured this in my head . It must of really sucked to look out and see that. Thank god you were not on your way to a regional. Good luck on repairing it.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

And everyone laughs when I say be sure to do a good job we you insulate the battery terminals and make sure all connections are tight. It could happen!

[JaneYoung]

I keep thinking of:
a. the little battery cart that could
b. all the bad pun possibilities for Mr. C.

[Alexa Stott]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

I keep thinking of:
a. the little battery cart that could
b. all the bad pun possibilities for Mr. C.

Kristian's dad actually had a good one to say about this one...

"I bet all the truck drivers behind you guys really got a charge out of that."

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

I keep thinking of:
a. the little battery cart that could
b. all the bad pun possibilities for Mr. C.

I heard that the entire team was getting charged with assault on battery.

[DonRotolo]

Groan...

I know that spot, just before Exit 10 on the turnpike, that's a unique bridge there. Unfortualtely I don't drive that way often, otherwise I'd look for the driver bag, maybe something in there survived.

Well, it could have been a disaster, GP and a bit of hope brought it all back together. Equipment is replaceable; people are a bit harder to come by.

Don

[Cooley744]

On one hand, that is very unfortunate. But on the other hand, THAT'S SICK!

[Graham Donaldson]

First, two words: "THAT...SUCKS!!!"

Second, send that story in to the company. They'll probably find it interesting.

[jacob07]

Do you guys still use battery #2?