I was just forwarded this FRC forum thread:
http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=12068
Basically, if you have the wires and connectors attached to the battery, you have to count the weight in your holdback allowance. Remove the wires and you don’t.
Sorry, but this has got to be the dumbest thing I’ve read! :ahh: They’re calling the battery+wires a “fabricated item”. It’s not like you can use the battery without the wires! Put them both in the same box, not connected and you’re fine. Add some screws and you have to count it!
Not to mention - batteries aren’t counted in the weight of the robot anyway!
Sorry FIRST and the GDC, sometimes you just don’t make sense!
(Note that it’s not that big of a deal to disassemble the batteries, but it’s something that we shouldn’t have to worry about!)