Lithium cell tests

Ok, about time someone brought logic into the argument. If people are allowed to use these batteries in any main competition when the arent in the rules, then they should have a lower weight limit to everyone else. If a robot has the same voltage (give or take a bit) then it is a straight deduction from the 100kg with difference in th pack weight. If they are running a higher voltage, then the weight of the lightest battery setup at that voltage which is allowed in the rules is taken from the robot weight before the trial batteries are added.
So if you had 9kg of nicads say, then 100-9 is 91, and 2kg of lithiums then the robot weight limit should be 93kgs.

Personally I think these batteries do need testing under high stress conditions. Specs can tell us what a battery should do under normal circumstances, what we do with them is not anywhere near normal. I dont mind either way, wether they are allowed in the UK champs or not, but if they are then something like I have suggested should be worked out.

It is upto the FRA to make a decision on this but the outcome must be fair to all.

I for one think that is a fair way of handling it.

Pure balast would do fine according to me.
Just a block of something in the middle of the robot so it doesnt add anything to offensive or defensive capacities.


As I already stated.

Using the weight gained by the non allowed test batteries for anything else than balast is pure foul play if and possible abuse of power/influence you ask me.
Like quadrupling Ah stored.

It seems some folks are getting hot under the collar about the thought of Kan-opener useing A123 cells in the UK champs.

Our A123 system will not be ready for use in the UK Champs

A decision was made a couple of weeks ago that to use these cells in the UK champs would not be a good one.

Kan-opener is reliable with its existing batteries and reliability is a key to getting on in a competition such as the UK champs.

Our team had already tested an improvement in performance with the existing system.

Thank you for the clarification Andy.

happy biding woody (i want out bid you ;)

are these bosch batterys the same ?36v
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/36v-2ah-bosch-battery_W0QQitemZ160160277954QQihZ006QQcategoryZ12 2840QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemhttp://cgi.ebay.co.uk/36v-2ah-bosch-...QihZ006QQcateg oryZ122840QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Cheers John,
I want to make a spare pack for my Feather.

I doubt if the Bosche use the SAME A123 batteries...probably similar.

Edit :- Ah! .....Some info ....

http://www.contractortoolsandsupplies.com/past/power_tools/LithiumIonLowdown.htmhttp://www.contractortoolsandsupplie...IonLowdown.htm

(Message edited by woody on September 22, 2007)

Its not clear what batteries Bosch use, but they are not A123 cells.

so are we allowed to use them now or not?