For those unaware, at international events (including the World Championships), international teams from Australia, Israel, China, Taiwan and all over the world are given 2 batteries (from FIRST) per team to compete with, as due to shipping safety, we are not allowed to bring our own. Although we’re grateful, 2 batteries is an awfully slim numbers to withstand the rigors of competition, and these batteries in-particular usually don’t last long.
On behalf of Team 5663, we’d like to ask if there are any teams attending Houston who would like to lend us a battery or two for the duration of the championships. We will happily return them as charged as possible at the conclusion of the event.
For other international teams, feel free to add to this thread to request batteries for the Houston Championships.
My team had already been contacted directly by a team from Israel regarding the loan of batteries. We do not know how many teams they had contacted, but it made us aware of the issue. 587 is purchasing a couple of batteries so that we can loan some out to international teams. I suspect, and hope, that other teams are doing the same.
Since we had a particular team in mind, I can not promise you any batteries yet, but if they get what they need from others we would be happy to help you out. I am sure that other teams would also have at least one or two batteries they could spare. You can always make a call via Pit Admin at the event if you do not get enough responses from this post.
Are there any Houston locals that can tell teams where they could purchase a legal battery locally? That may not be the most economical solution, but given the expense of international travel I would rather spend a little more for a battery or three to make sure the robot does not die on the field. If there is a local source, it may be good to give them a heads up that there could be a run on the batteries.
Another option, if you can’t get a satisfactory number of batteries lined up: AndyMark is doing free deliveries to pits for both FIRST Championship events, batteries included. The deadline for Houston is this Thursday (4/13) at noon EDT (GMT -4). For St. Louis, it’s Monday, 4/24 at noon EDT (still GMT -4). In either case, you simply select it as a shipping option at checkout and include your team number.
Obviously this takes US$90 to do, but it does ensure you’ve got fresh, good batteries available to you. And you can probably find someone willing to trade something useful (parts, shirts, barbecue) for low-mileage batteries after you’re done competing to offset some of that.
(Also, if you do order batteries: don’t forget battery cables, whether you bring them with you or order them too.)
(Also, it’s probably obvious, but full disclosure I work at AndyMark.)
We have purchased direct form MK Battery (P/N: ES17-12) before. They have a distribution location that is fairly close to George Bush Airport.
We just called the number on bottom of this web page and ended up in contact with someone that could help. I am not the member of my team that picked them up, but I don’t think this place has a sales desk it is more of a warehouse, so if you try it be sure to call first.
As an American, we’ve never dealt with shipping batteries. All I can say is that it isn’t right. There really should be… call it a battery rental. FIRST buys like 500 batteries per year, then rents them out, cheaper depending on the battery’s age.
Regardless, this isn’t happening now, and unfortunately our team attends St. Louis. I’d love to help, and if our team doesn’t qualify next year, we will likely send our batteries to teams at the Detroit Championship who couldn’t ship theirs.
We’ve been contacted by 3 different teams in Israel (1574, 4590, and 5654).
It seems like there should be a better system in place to help these teams. We’re going to do what we can for them. (Psst, AndyMark crew, bring extra batteries so I can buy them when I get desperate.)
I was just at EPO this morning. They had 13 of the Universal Battery (P/N: UB12180) in stock in the store. They may have more in their warehouse. It would be best to call them and reserve them if you want some. They are a 12 mile drive from the event venue. You will then need to purchase the battery cables.
The manager said that he would try to see if they can get more but it may be difficult.
I am going to send 4 new batteries with leads to Houston Champs via AndyMark. Who would use them if I did this? The only thing I ask is they go to a team who can use them at the end of the event.
I like the idea of them going to rookie teams if they are bought by a team for teams.
I took a poke at Andymark on twitter to try and set up a system with first to supply a few extra batteries to international teams at champs. Those same batteries can be used after the event to rotate out the old worn out ones in pit admin. Maybe this is a long term solution?
