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Hi Guys,
I found this vid and thought you might like to see it. I had no idea Lithium polymer batteries were this dangerous.... It made me think of taking mine out of my Ant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3o_2mwRPdwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3o_2mwRPdw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MiM2E6pvfghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MiM2E6pvfg
i just realized.
we shouwed this footage to the FRA commitee at the last meeting. the new lipo rules are what resulted.
This effectivly makes a lot of current ants potentially illegal under FRA rules. Does the FRA have any recommendation here? do current ants need to follow the new rules, or are their batteries small enough that we can say this weight class is exempt?
It just goes to show that sites where you can buy LiPos from come with warnings for a good reason.
--
Mike
http://www.bobblebot.co.ukhttp://www.bobblebot.co.uk
http://www.antweights.co.ukhttp://www.antweights.co.uk
The problem is if I go for any other battery it will be too heavy or won€™t have enough juice to last a fight. I could be wrong but I don€™t think you can beat the power to weight ratio of these things.
I understand that the makers of the Tesla car (http://www.teslamotors.comwww.teslamotors.com) are using similar batteries, they had to amour plate the battery box to protect the car if one should blow.
Im just wondering if Lipos could be legal in heavier weight classes so long as the battery area is sufficiently armored.
Extract from .....
http://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/meetings/013_30_09_06.pdfhttp://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/meet...3_30_09_06.pdf
6. The use of lithium based rechargeable batteries
It was made clear that the use of lithium batteries posed safety problems for use in robots.
It was proposed that a temporary set of rules would be incorporated into the robot build rules and must be strictly adhered to until such time that our members have experience of handling these batteries and event organisers are happy with any safety implications.
6.1.1
Lithium rechargeable batteries will be permitted subject to the following restrictions:-
1) The event organiser must be informed prior to the event and approve their use.
2) Until further notice, Lithium rechargeable batteries may only be used in robots in the Featherweight class and below.
3) Only chargers specifically designed for use with Lithium rechargeable batteries may be used.
4) The robot must be fitted with both an under voltage cut-out set at or higher than the battery manufacturers recommendation that will prevent the batteries from becoming damaged due to over discharge.
5) Batteries must be removed from the robot, inspected and placed into a sealable steel or other suitable heat proof container prior to, and during the charging process. (It is the responsibility of the roboteer to provide this container, which shall be inspected as part of the normal €˜tech check€™.)
6) Batteries must not be left unattended at any time during the charging process. (Leaving batteries unattended while charging will be considered a serious breach of pit safety and may result in you and your robot being removed from the event.)
7) Batteries showing any evidence of damage or €˜swelling€™ must immediately be placed in the heat proof container, covered in salt, the container sealed and removed to a safe area outdoors.
8) A suitable quantity of salt, sufficient to completely cover the batteries in the event of damage or fire must be available. (If not provided by the event organiser, it will be the responsibility of the roboteer to provide this.)
Perhaps these will suit the needs of feathers better?........sorry no Ant stuff:sad:
http://www.a123racing.com/http://www.a123racing.com/
Related link for obtaining similar batteries from the new Dewalt battery packs.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=587606http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=587606
Lithium Ions.... Are they safer than Lithium Polymer batteries? I.e. Do they explode?
You could have chased around the site yourself!
http://www.a123systems.com/html/tech/safety.htmlhttp://www.a123systems.com/html/tech/safety.html
The answer appears to be.... NO
They quote 3000 watts per kg!!
http://www.a123systems.com/html/tech/power.htmlhttp://www.a123systems.com/html/tech/power.html
(Message edited by woody on October 29, 2006)
Wow!! A123 batteries are perfect for our application. Im very impressed.
I will buy some for my Middleweight robot at some point. Doesnt help for the ants tho :o(