Look at the Big Picture

[David Brinza]

Perhaps some of the frustrations being expressed in regarding the battery ruling are due to the belief that the GDC is acting in a completely arbitrary manner. I haven't seen any posts trying to provide rationale for effectively penalizing teams for transporting batteries to events with the connectors attached. So, consider this:

If you shipped batteries in your crate with Anderson connectors attached, you are violating the shipping requirements (See Section 4.2.2). Batteries are to be shipped in the original packaging with foam covering the battery terminals to protect from shorting. This is a regulatory matter for safe transportation of dangerous goods - not something that the GDC created just to hassle teams. Anderson connectors clearly cannot be installed on the batteries and meet this requirement. If you transport batteries via air, they must be packed as specified in Section 4.2.2 (original packing materials, terminals protected, etc.).

Teams that properly ship batteries in their crate will need to re-attach the connectors at the event. Should teams who carry-in batteries to the event be allowed the advantage of having the connectors already in place? Just a thought...

If FIRST does not rescind this ruling (or make exceptions for batteries), there will be a lot of grumbling at the events. I don't like that there will be additional work to do on Thursday, but our team will comply. I worry that enforcement of this ruling will present more challenges to inspectors and other event personnel. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that the level of enforcement will vary from event-to-event, which will cause even more frustration. Oh well...