Go to Post Take care of home and family first- then we play robots - Wayne C. [more]
Home
Go Back   Chief Delphi > Technical > Electrical
CD-Media   CD-Spy  
portal register members calendar search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read FAQ rules

 
Closed Thread
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 15-03-2009, 16:52
barstow's Avatar
barstow barstow is offline
Registered User
FRC #1939 (Kuh-nig-its)
Team Role: Electrical
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Rookie Year: 2005
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 10
barstow is an unknown quantity at this point
Battery Charging station

Over the past couple days I have spent sometime searching Chief Delphi for good battery charging station ideas. The most popular design I've come accross is the one from Team 571 http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/18664
It looks really nice but unfortunately we don't have the funds for such a project. I know I could reduce costs by cutting corners, but I thought I'd ask the community for some good ideas.
  #2   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 15-03-2009, 16:57
gorrilla's Avatar
gorrilla gorrilla is offline
1557 alumni, 4639 mentor
AKA: adam spears
FRC #4639 (RoboSpartans)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Rookie Year: 2007
Location: Houston
Posts: 941
gorrilla has a brilliant futuregorrilla has a brilliant futuregorrilla has a brilliant futuregorrilla has a brilliant futuregorrilla has a brilliant futuregorrilla has a brilliant futuregorrilla has a brilliant futuregorrilla has a brilliant futuregorrilla has a brilliant futuregorrilla has a brilliant futuregorrilla has a brilliant future
Re: Battery Charging station

we just use the table they give us and a shelf we bought at lowes.....


we probobly should make something before atlanta.........
__________________
Adam Spears



Team 1557 2007-2011 student-Lake County FL

Current Team 4639 mentor- Houston TX
  #3   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 15-03-2009, 17:00
barstow's Avatar
barstow barstow is offline
Registered User
FRC #1939 (Kuh-nig-its)
Team Role: Electrical
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Rookie Year: 2005
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 10
barstow is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Battery Charging station

We've just been using the floor inside our crate. The front of the crate splits apart to allow for storage space.
  #4   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 15-03-2009, 17:05
wilsonmw04's Avatar
wilsonmw04 wilsonmw04 is offline
Coach
FRC #1086 (Blue Cheese)
Team Role: Teacher
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Rookie Year: 2007
Location: Midlothian, VA
Posts: 1,873
wilsonmw04 has a reputation beyond reputewilsonmw04 has a reputation beyond reputewilsonmw04 has a reputation beyond reputewilsonmw04 has a reputation beyond reputewilsonmw04 has a reputation beyond reputewilsonmw04 has a reputation beyond reputewilsonmw04 has a reputation beyond reputewilsonmw04 has a reputation beyond reputewilsonmw04 has a reputation beyond reputewilsonmw04 has a reputation beyond reputewilsonmw04 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Battery Charging station

a hand truck and a KOP tote is going to work nicely for us this year.
__________________
Currently: Coach FRC 1086/FTC 93
2006-2011 Coach FRC 2106/FTC 35
If you come to a FRC event to see a robot competition, you are missing the point.
  #5   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 15-03-2009, 18:06
Blue_Mist's Avatar
Blue_Mist Blue_Mist is offline
will return to 766 soon!
AKA: Mika Lai
FRC #0766 (M-A Bears)
Team Role: College Student
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: California
Posts: 183
Blue_Mist is a jewel in the roughBlue_Mist is a jewel in the roughBlue_Mist is a jewel in the rough
Re: Battery Charging station

We recently got a five-battery charger, but before we just had the chargers that FIRST gave us. The new charger helps, but even without it, we always just had the batteries plugged into the charger under the table. On the floor, we have a piece of tape that reads "Charging... Charging... Charging... Charged!" and we line up the batteries in order of chargedness, with any and all completely charged batteries all on the Charged! end.

On a completely irrelevant note, I think this is not the first time I have written and posted this.
__________________
"There's no finer engineering than pit engineering." -kaszeta

"Show a girl how to use a wrench, and she'll put those skills to use for a lifetime. Hand it to her and tell her she's probably better off shopping, and she'll clonk you over the head with it, do your pneumatics system, and CAD the robot." -Amanda Morrison

'09
  #6   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 15-03-2009, 18:15
Tom Line's Avatar
Tom Line Tom Line is offline
Raptors can't turn doorknobs.
FRC #1718 (The Fighting Pi)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Rookie Year: 1999
Location: Armada, Michigan
Posts: 2,513
Tom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Battery Charging station

Get a dolly from Lowes or Home Depot. Make 6 or 7 plywood shelves that can hold the chargers they give us each year + a battery. Each year, mount another of the First chargers on it.

Paint it your team colors, and mount a powerstrip on top if it and your rechargable drill bases too.
  #7   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 15-03-2009, 18:32
McGurky's Avatar
McGurky McGurky is offline
Geek
AKA: Kyle McGurk
FRC #1716 (Redbird Robotics)
Team Role: College Student
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Rookie Year: 2008
Location: Houghton, MI
Posts: 291
McGurky is just really niceMcGurky is just really niceMcGurky is just really niceMcGurky is just really nice
Re: Battery Charging station

I have seen some teams with sweet touch screen monitors on there battery charging rack!!! that was sweet!!!
__________________
RTFM -Read The First Manual

You already are who you are, I may be able to show you a fancy trick or two, but the term "Better" is relative to the potential you already have.
Take a look at my website/Blog!
  #8   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 15-03-2009, 22:45
DonRotolo's Avatar
DonRotolo DonRotolo is offline
Back to humble
FRC #0832
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Rookie Year: 2005
Location: Atlanta GA
Posts: 6,979
DonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond reputeDonRotolo has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Battery Charging station

On a budget:

We built a battery charging cart that holds 5 chargers and 10 batteries. It looks a little like the photo, but it is tall and not wide, looking more like a handtruck. Cost was about $40.

We built it out of 3/4" hardwood plywood - a 4 x 4 sheet is plenty - glued and screwed together. The box is about 16" wide, 10 inches deep, and 4 feet tall. The bottom is a piece of aluminum somewhat larger than the box base, for stability. We mounted 8" wheels to it, and a handle - that way, we can wheel it around, full of batteries. The front cover screws on but is not used when we're charging batteries, just for transport. We also have a power strip on back, and some 1.5" holes for the power cords. Each 'shelf' holds 2 batteries and one charger.

If you want me to take a photo or any measurements, let me know.
__________________

I am N2IRZ - What's your callsign?
  #9   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 16-03-2009, 07:53
Unsung FIRST Hero
Al Skierkiewicz Al Skierkiewicz is offline
Broadcast Eng/Chief Robot Inspector
AKA: Big Al WFFA 2005
FRC #0111 (WildStang)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Rookie Year: 1996
Location: Wheeling, IL
Posts: 10,766
Al Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Battery Charging station

Barstow,
I would be remiss if I did not interject a word of caution. The picture you reference looks very cool but I must tell you and all teams that electrical codes in your area may not meet or exceed local codes in the areas where you compete. Although this particular cart does appear to make extensive use of conduit and metal electrical boxes, we do not know how it is wired, grounded or fused. The UL safety people at each event can give you further guidance but they also have the authority to ask that a particular homemade electrical device be removed from service for code violations. A UL approved, multiposition charger is a sure bet though, and one that many teams use.
__________________
Good Luck All. Learn something new, everyday!
Al
WB9UVJ
www.wildstang.org
________________________
Storming the Tower since 1996.
  #10   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 16-03-2009, 15:06
Bob Steele's Avatar
Bob Steele Bob Steele is offline
Professional Steamacrit Hunter
AKA: Bob Steele
FRC #1983 (Skunk Works Robotics)
Team Role: Coach
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: Seattle, Washington
Posts: 1,509
Bob Steele has a reputation beyond reputeBob Steele has a reputation beyond reputeBob Steele has a reputation beyond reputeBob Steele has a reputation beyond reputeBob Steele has a reputation beyond reputeBob Steele has a reputation beyond reputeBob Steele has a reputation beyond reputeBob Steele has a reputation beyond reputeBob Steele has a reputation beyond reputeBob Steele has a reputation beyond reputeBob Steele has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Battery Charging station

Al,
Do you have a recommendation regarding a possible place to purchase a multiposition charger or a specific mode #l?

We travel from Seattle to Atlanta every year and it be really nice to ship this in our crate. It is such a hassle carrying 5 chargers...

We would like to have one that would be legal for FIRST and handle several batteries. Do you have any suggestions?

R
__________________
Raisbeck Aviation High School TEAM 1983 - Seattle, Washington
Las Vegas 07 WINNER w/ 1425/254...Seattle 08 WINNER w/ 2046/949.. Oregon 09 WINNER w/1318/2635..SEA 10 RCA ..Spokane 12 WINNER w/2122/4082 and RCA...Central Wa 13 WINNER w/1425/753..Seattle 13 WINNER w/948/492 & RCA ..Spokane 13 WINNER w/2471/4125.. Spokane 14 - DCA --Auburn 14 - WINNER w/1318/4960..District CMP 14 WINNER w/1318/2907, District CMA.. CMP 14 Newton Finalist w 971/341/3147 ... Auburn Mountainview 15 WINNER w/1318/3049 - Mt Vernon 15 WINNER w/1318/4654 - Philomath 15 WINNER w/955/847 -District CMP 15 WINNER w/955/2930 & District CMA -CMP Newton -Industrial Design Award

  #11   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 16-03-2009, 15:10
Unsung FIRST Hero
Al Skierkiewicz Al Skierkiewicz is offline
Broadcast Eng/Chief Robot Inspector
AKA: Big Al WFFA 2005
FRC #0111 (WildStang)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Rookie Year: 1996
Location: Wheeling, IL
Posts: 10,766
Al Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Battery Charging station

Bob,
If you search for multi chargers you will find at least one or two other threads that I posted the charger we are using. Although it's cost is initially high, we have used it for many years. Charge is maximum of 5 amps per output.
__________________
Good Luck All. Learn something new, everyday!
Al
WB9UVJ
www.wildstang.org
________________________
Storming the Tower since 1996.
  #12   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 16-03-2009, 15:26
Don Wright's Avatar
Don Wright Don Wright is offline
Registered User
FRC #0469
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Rookie Year: 2003
Location: Livonia, MI
Posts: 683
Don Wright has a reputation beyond reputeDon Wright has a reputation beyond reputeDon Wright has a reputation beyond reputeDon Wright has a reputation beyond reputeDon Wright has a reputation beyond reputeDon Wright has a reputation beyond reputeDon Wright has a reputation beyond reputeDon Wright has a reputation beyond reputeDon Wright has a reputation beyond reputeDon Wright has a reputation beyond reputeDon Wright has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via MSN to Don Wright Send a message via Yahoo to Don Wright
Re: Battery Charging station

We followed Al's excellent suggestion and purchased the same 5 channel multi-charger several years ago that (what I consider the best electrical team in FIRST) 111 uses...

AutoMeter BusPro-600s

http://www.remybattery.com/Products/...SPRO-600S.aspx

They are awesome...
__________________
Donald F. Wright Jr.
Product Manager
AVL Instrumentation & Test Systems, Inc.
  #13   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 16-03-2009, 21:19
Oblarg Oblarg is offline
Registered User
AKA: Eli Barnett
FRC #0449 (The Blair Robot Project)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Rookie Year: 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 1,049
Oblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond reputeOblarg has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Battery Charging station

We currently use a rather low-quality one made of MDF which holds 4 chargers and batteries stacked vertically. Probably going to remake it out of plywood so it will last more than another year or so.

Unless you're looking for something really fancy, it's not hard to design one that works reasonably well. A bit of advice from my experience: don't make it out of MDF, it's a terrible material that splits when you screw into the edges, pilot holes or not. Plus, it outgasses formaldehyde.
  #14   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 16-03-2009, 21:50
Uberbots's Avatar
Uberbots Uberbots is offline
Mad Programmer
AKA: Billy Sisson
FRC #1124 (ÜberBots)
Team Role: College Student
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Rookie Year: 2005
Location: Avon
Posts: 739
Uberbots has a reputation beyond reputeUberbots has a reputation beyond reputeUberbots has a reputation beyond reputeUberbots has a reputation beyond reputeUberbots has a reputation beyond reputeUberbots has a reputation beyond reputeUberbots has a reputation beyond reputeUberbots has a reputation beyond reputeUberbots has a reputation beyond reputeUberbots has a reputation beyond reputeUberbots has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Battery Charging station

Wow, that is an old picture!!

anwyay, the uberbots battery box consists of 4 thick plexi shelves supported by a frame of x-wing. It wasnt all that expensive to build, but it is heavy and the wheels were poorly constructed. Oh well, live and learn.

anyway, if you are looking for a neat solution, in 2006 pre-battery-box we simply used a plastic foldout workbench from home depot, and came up with a neat charging system to handle all of our batteries. all you really need is a clipboard with a sheet of paper attached to it and an organized student, and you have your 'battery box'
__________________
A few of my favorite numbers:
175 176 177 195 230 558 716 1024 1071 1592 1784 1816
RPI 2012
BREAKAWAY
  #15   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 16-03-2009, 22:38
DB_UPS's Avatar
DB_UPS DB_UPS is offline
tool or die that is the question?
AKA: Ryan Quinlan
FRC #1675 (The Ultimate Prtoection Squad)
Team Role: Alumni
 
Join Date: May 2006
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: Milwaukee
Posts: 60
DB_UPS has a spectacular aura aboutDB_UPS has a spectacular aura aboutDB_UPS has a spectacular aura about
Send a message via AIM to DB_UPS
Re: Battery Charging station

Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Wright View Post
We followed Al's excellent suggestion and purchased the same 5 channel multi-charger several years ago that (what I consider the best electrical team in FIRST) 111 uses...

AutoMeter BusPro-600s

http://www.remybattery.com/Products/...SPRO-600S.aspx

They are awesome...
We all so learn about this charger form 111, We haven't had a problem yet!

What we did was we get a dolly and some scrap angle iron and weld it all together and add some paint. Its really easy to move and easy to use. Sorry i didn't have a better picture, but if your going to Atlanta you can stop by our pits and get more info on it.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Battery Charger.jpg
Views:	213
Size:	111.4 KB
ID:	7688  
__________________
Closed Thread


Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
pic: Battery Charging Station (571) CD47-Bot Extra Discussion 16 29-11-2012 14:08
Battery Charging per TU #9 Al Skierkiewicz Electrical 3 04-02-2009 14:11
Picture Request: Team 236's charging station. Elgin Clock General Forum 6 11-08-2004 21:56
571 Paragon Battery Charging Station Rick Technical Discussion 7 27-05-2004 17:14
Battery Charging Box MikeDubreuil Electrical 17 22-04-2004 21:38


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:05.

The Chief Delphi Forums are sponsored by Innovation First International, Inc.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © Chief Delphi