paper: Team 900 Battery Cart

[ebarker]

Originally Posted by kevin.li.rit

Isn't the SB50 rated for 50Amps? not 120?

Do you charge batteries with this closed? If so are there any heat issues?

That is a question I'd like to throw some math at.

In typical operation at competition the amount of heat generated is negligible. With 14 batteries, most fully charged and floating there is very little current draw. The couple of batteries that are fast charging are responsible for the most heat.

The math I'd like to do is this..... 14 depleted batteries each being charged by a 5A smart charger. The chargers will be throwing off some heat and the rest of the energy being pushed into the battery.

Question: Does charging lead acid batteries experience a temperature rise while charging ?

The only time the system is working very hard is when we are doing an all day show with 3 or 4 robots running continuously for 8 hours. Batteries are moving so fast it isn't worth closing the lid.

But at competition the heat is not even noticeable, and closing the lid gives us a nice place to sit.

We are making one significant upgrade to the system. We are installing a rail down the center and bolting the SB50 connectors in place, and dressing the wires down. That will be a big improvement.

Ed