Batteries: Charging and Testing - FrcTeam4919/Resources GitHub Wiki

Battery Testers

Battery Chargers/Maintainers

Battery Best Practices

  1. Designate batteries by use

    couple older/weaker batteries for prototyping, practicing, demonstration

    best set aside ONLY for use at the competition

  2. Use 12V power supply when debugging the RoboRio programming and not using the motors

    add SB50 connectors to current power supply (about a 3A to 5A supply)

    optionally invest in higher current supply: 10A Power Supply is about $20

  3. Track battery usage and state of charge (for competition batteries only)

    Create software to run on the driver station to track the battery usage

    Make use of Driver station and PDP logs for usage time (on, driving), voltage level, and current draw

    maybe upload to GitHub

  4. Test batteries and track results

  5. Clean up battery cart

    shorten cables

    designate spots for charging and storing batteries

  6. Use battery flags to indicate state of charge

  7. Store in climate controlled area (not den)

Recommendations for 2021

  1. Implement all best practices
  2. Purchase Battery Beak to solve issue of is it the battery
  3. Purchase pulse tech

Recommendations for future years

  1. Evaluate 2021 measures
  2. Purchase one or two Real-Pro RS3s depending on competition needs
  3. When we start winning regionals, purchase CBA to characterize batteries for competition/non competition use

Battery Cart

Requirements

The battery cart will mostly be stored until competition. For Competition, it used to transport batteries to pit, store and charge the batteries between rounds.

  • It needs to
  • hold all the competition batteries
  • hold all the chargers
  • configuration need to
    • allow for easy connection of batteries to the chargers
    • good cable management, so wires do not get in the way when storing or removing batteries
    • not bend or strain the battery cables or connections
    • allow for quick checking of battery charge status
    • place to track battery usage for matches
  • be storable
  • be transportable
  • be stable when transporting or storing

Examples