Batteries - Revision history

Paxmorningstar at 19:51, 13 August 2025

2025-08-13T19:51:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:51, 13 August 2025
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	{{#ev:youtube\|WLIeQOgPmBE\|\|\|Salt Water Discharge Method}}		{{#ev:youtube\|WLIeQOgPmBE\|\|\|Salt Water Discharge Method}}

	[[Category:~~Productions~~]]		[[Category:Information]]

Paxmorningstar at 19:30, 13 August 2025

2025-08-13T19:30:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:30, 13 August 2025
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	{{#ev:youtube\|WLIeQOgPmBE\|\|\|Salt Water Discharge Method}}		{{#ev:youtube\|WLIeQOgPmBE\|\|\|Salt Water Discharge Method}}

			[[Category:Productions]]

Paxmorningstar: /* Connector */

2025-06-12T17:58:36Z

Connector

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:58, 12 June 2025
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	<gallery widths=250px heights=250px>		<gallery widths=250px heights=250px>
	File:Xt30-connector-pair.jpg\|frameless\|XT30 connectors are ideal for 3lb robots, but may be too small for 12lb or 30lb batteries		File:Xt30-connector-pair.jpg\|frameless\|XT30 connectors are ideal for 3lb robots, but may be too small for 12lb or 30lb batteries
	File:61Ss+QNjzmL. AC SL1000 .jpg\|frameless\|Pre-soldered XT60 connectors are good for the robot side of a battery connection in ~~the 3lb or 12lb~~ weight ~~class~~		File:61Ss+QNjzmL. AC SL1000 .jpg\|frameless\|Pre-soldered XT60 connectors are good for the robot side of a battery connection in all weight classes
	File:Xt90-high-current-connectors-pair-female-male-446-17-B.jpg\|frameless\|XT90 connectors are best used on bigger robots, such as 12lbs or 30lbs		File:Xt90-high-current-connectors-pair-female-male-446-17-B.jpg\|frameless\|XT90 connectors are best used on bigger robots, such as 12lbs or 30lbs
	</gallery>		</gallery>

	=== Combining Batteries ===		=== Combining Batteries ===
	You can combine multiple batteries to reach a higher voltage or capacity. One common example is for competitors to combine two 2S batteries in series, '''always of the same capacity''' to make a 4S power system. It is also possible to combine batteries in parallel to double the capacity instead of the voltage. When combining batteries it is incredibly important to always make sure the batteries have the same capacity.		You can combine multiple batteries to reach a higher voltage or capacity. One common example is for competitors to combine two 2S batteries in series, '''always of the same capacity''' to make a 4S power system. It is also possible to combine batteries in parallel to double the capacity instead of the voltage. When combining batteries it is incredibly important to always make sure the batteries have the same capacity.

Paxmorningstar: Adding more connector pics

2025-06-12T17:57:39Z

Adding more connector pics

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:57, 12 June 2025
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	*Deans		*Deans
	*JST (Not recommended.. these fall out or make poor connections easily)		*JST (Not recommended.. these fall out or make poor connections easily)
			<gallery widths=250px heights=250px>
			File:Xt30-connector-pair.jpg\|frameless\|XT30 connectors are ideal for 3lb robots, but may be too small for 12lb or 30lb batteries
			File:61Ss+QNjzmL. AC SL1000 .jpg\|frameless\|Pre-soldered XT60 connectors are good for the robot side of a battery connection in the 3lb or 12lb weight class
			File:Xt90-high-current-connectors-pair-female-male-446-17-B.jpg\|frameless\|XT90 connectors are best used on bigger robots, such as 12lbs or 30lbs
			</gallery>
	=== Combining Batteries ===		=== Combining Batteries ===
	You can combine multiple batteries to reach a higher voltage or capacity. One common example is for competitors to combine two 2S batteries in series, '''always of the same capacity''' to make a 4S power system. It is also possible to combine batteries in parallel to double the capacity instead of the voltage. When combining batteries it is incredibly important to always make sure the batteries have the same capacity.		You can combine multiple batteries to reach a higher voltage or capacity. One common example is for competitors to combine two 2S batteries in series, '''always of the same capacity''' to make a 4S power system. It is also possible to combine batteries in parallel to double the capacity instead of the voltage. When combining batteries it is incredibly important to always make sure the batteries have the same capacity.

Paxmorningstar at 02:05, 23 May 2025

2025-05-23T02:05:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:05, 23 May 2025
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	=== Cells ===		=== Cells ===
	First up is picking the number of cells in your battery. The number of cells also defines the voltage range your battery operates at. Most robots in the 3lb weight class use 3 or 4 cells. This is abbreviated as 3S or 4S. The standard nominal voltage is 3.7 Volts per cell.		First up is picking the number of cells in your battery. The number of cells also defines the voltage range your battery operates at. Most robots in the [[3lb Weight Class\|3lb weight class]] use 3 or 4 cells. This is abbreviated as 3S or 4S. The standard nominal voltage is 3.7 Volts per cell.

	'''Nominal voltage''' is the voltage when the battery is about 40% state of charge. A typical nominal voltage is 3.7 Volts per cell. The nominal voltage is the voltage that is usually printed on the battery. This is also the best voltage to keep the battery at for long term (months) storage.		'''Nominal voltage''' is the voltage when the battery is about 40% state of charge. A typical nominal voltage is 3.7 Volts per cell. The nominal voltage is the voltage that is usually printed on the battery. This is also the best voltage to keep the battery at for long term (months) storage.

G Structure: /* Battery Aging */

2020-10-31T00:18:13Z

Battery Aging

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:18, 31 October 2020
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	===Battery Aging===		===Battery Aging===
	All LiPo Batteries have a limited lifespan. There are several factors that effect a ~~batteries~~ useful capacity over time. You can actually measure this degradation by looking at the batteries internal resistance. This is typically measured in MilliOhms. As a batteries internal resistance rises more heat is generated during discharge. Interestingly as a battery heats up its internal resistance drops. This heat is lost energy that will not flow into your robot. Higher internal resistance will also make the battery more prone to 'Voltage Sag' which is a momentary drop in voltage during high current draw.		All LiPo Batteries have a limited lifespan. There are several factors that effect a battery’s useful capacity over time. You can actually measure this degradation by looking at the batteries internal resistance. This is typically measured in MilliOhms. As a batteries internal resistance rises more heat is generated during discharge. Interestingly as a battery heats up its internal resistance drops. This heat is lost energy that will not flow into your robot. Higher internal resistance will also make the battery more prone to 'Voltage Sag' which is a momentary drop in voltage during high current draw.

	====Factors that reduce a ~~batteries~~ capacity====		====Factors that reduce a battery’s capacity====
	* Discharging a battery below its empty voltage		* Discharging a battery below its empty voltage
	* Current draw above a ~~batteries~~ C rating		* Current draw above a battery’s C rating
	* High Temperatures (LiPo Batteries age faster but preform better when warm)		* High Temperatures (LiPo Batteries age faster but preform better when warm)
	* Charge Cycles (Hoppy LiPo batteries are only good for a few hundred charge / discharge cycles)		* Charge Cycles (Hoppy LiPo batteries are only good for a few hundred charge / discharge cycles)
	* Time (Depending on the temperature and state of charge a battery may lose up to 20% of its capacity per year)		* Time (Depending on the temperature and state of charge a battery may lose up to 20% of its capacity per year)

	Combat robots can be particularly hard on LiPo batteries. Typically bot builders will design their bots to have the smallest possible battery that will still last a full match. Any extra battery weight is weight that wasn't put into a weapon or defense. Draining a LiPo completely in 3 or 4 minutes is not a kind thing to do to a battery. It's best not to get too attached to any one battery. It's reasonable to expect that a competitive robot will need new LiPo batteries every year. Older batteries that are still safe can go on to live lives in less strenuous robots or even radio transmitters.		Combat robots can be particularly hard on LiPo batteries. Typically bot builders will design their bots to have the smallest possible battery that will still last a full match. Any extra battery weight is weight that wasn't put into a weapon or defense. Draining a LiPo completely in 3 or 4 minutes is not a kind thing to do to a battery. It's best not to get too attached to any one battery. It's reasonable to expect that a competitive robot will need new LiPo batteries every year. Older batteries that are still safe can go on to live lives in less strenuous robots or even radio transmitters.

	== Battery Safety ==		== Battery Safety ==

G Structure: /* Common Charger Settings */

2020-10-31T00:11:50Z

Common Charger Settings

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:11, 31 October 2020
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	'''Volts per Cell''' - 4.2v - Don't go higher unless you have special batteries.		'''Volts per Cell''' - 4.2v - Don't go higher unless you have special batteries.

	'''Charge Current''' - Playing it safe you want to charge at 1C (The Mah Rating of your battery.) You can usually cheat this up a bit.. but the more you do the shorter the life of your battery. Don't ever go above 5C		'''Charge Current''' - Playing it safe, you want to charge at 1C (The Mah Rating of your battery.) You can usually cheat this up a bit to decrease charging time, but the more you do the shorter the life of your battery will be. Don't ever go above 5C.

	===Battery Aging===		===Battery Aging===

G Structure: /* Common Charger Settings */

2020-10-31T00:09:06Z

Common Charger Settings

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:09, 31 October 2020
Line 52:		Line 52:

	===Common Charger Settings===		===Common Charger Settings===
	'''Volts per Cell''' - 4.2v - Don't go higher unless you have special batteries		'''Volts per Cell''' - 4.2v - Don't go higher unless you have special batteries.

	'''Charge Current''' - Playing it safe you want to charge at 1C (The Mah Rating of your battery.) You can usually cheat this up a bit.. but the more you do the shorter the life of your battery. Don't ever go above 5C		'''Charge Current''' - Playing it safe you want to charge at 1C (The Mah Rating of your battery.) You can usually cheat this up a bit.. but the more you do the shorter the life of your battery. Don't ever go above 5C

G Structure: /* MaH (Milliamp Hours) */

2020-10-31T00:00:25Z

MaH (Milliamp Hours)

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:00, 31 October 2020
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	\|}		\|}
	=== MaH (Milliamp Hours) ===		=== MaH (Milliamp Hours) ===
	MaH or AH is a measure of how much energy a battery holds. The measurement is supposed to align the amount of power the battery could deliver at its nominal voltage for one hour. So a 3S 500 Mah battery should be able to provide 500 Milliamps of current at 11.1volts for 1 hour. For example it's a reasonable assumption that a 3S 500 Mah battery should be able to provide 5 Amps (5000 Milliamps) for 6 minutes.		MaH or AH is a measure of how much energy a battery holds (1000 MaH = 1 AH). The measurement is supposed to align the amount of power the battery could deliver at its nominal voltage for one hour. So a 3S 500 Mah battery should be able to provide 500 Milliamps of current at 11.1volts for 1 hour. For example it's a reasonable assumption that a 3S 500 Mah battery should be able to provide 5 Amps (5000 Milliamps) for 6 minutes.

	'''C rating''' is maximum safe discharge rate. It would let us know if the above draw of 5 amps was okay. To determine the maximum safe amp draw it is the Capacity (C) times the C rating number. So if our 3S 500 Mah battery had a C rating of 20 the maximum safe amps we could draw would be (500 Mah x 20) 10,000 Milliamps or 10 amps. Which gives us a good safety margin around a 5 amp draw. Some batteries list a fixed and burst C rate. Battery manufactures tend to over state their C rating. It is best to ensure your robots max power draw will be safely under the C rating for your battery.		'''C rating''' is maximum safe discharge rate. It would let us know if the above draw of 5 amps was okay. To determine the maximum safe amp draw it is the Capacity (C) times the C rating number. So if our 3S 500 Mah battery had a C rating of 20 the maximum safe amps we could draw would be (500 Mah x 20) 10,000 Milliamps or 10 amps. Which gives us a good safety margin around a 5 amp draw. Some batteries list a fixed and burst C rate. Battery manufactures tend to over state their C rating. It is best to ensure your robots max power draw will be safely under the C rating for your battery.

G Structure: /* Mah (Milliamp Hours) */

2020-10-30T23:56:13Z

Mah (Milliamp Hours)

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:56, 30 October 2020
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	\| 6S \|\| 22.2 Volts \|\| 18.0 Volts \|\| 25.2 Volts		\| 6S \|\| 22.2 Volts \|\| 18.0 Volts \|\| 25.2 Volts
	\|}		\|}
	=== ~~Mah~~ (Milliamp Hours) ===		=== MaH (Milliamp Hours) ===
	MaH or AH is a measure of how much energy a battery holds. The measurement is supposed to align the amount of power the battery could deliver at its nominal voltage for one hour. So a 3S 500 Mah battery should be able to provide 500 Milliamps of current at 11.1volts for 1 hour. For example it's a reasonable assumption that a 3S 500 Mah battery should be able to provide 5 Amps (5000 Milliamps) for 6 minutes.		MaH or AH is a measure of how much energy a battery holds. The measurement is supposed to align the amount of power the battery could deliver at its nominal voltage for one hour. So a 3S 500 Mah battery should be able to provide 500 Milliamps of current at 11.1volts for 1 hour. For example it's a reasonable assumption that a 3S 500 Mah battery should be able to provide 5 Amps (5000 Milliamps) for 6 minutes.

	'''C rating''' is maximum safe discharge rate. It would let us know if the above draw of 5 amps was okay. To determine the maximum safe amp draw it is the Capacity (C) times the C rating number. So if our 3S 500 Mah battery had a C rating of 20 the maximum safe amps we could draw would be (500 Mah x 20) 10,000 Milliamps or 10 amps. Which gives us a good safety margin around a 5 amp draw. Some batteries list a fixed and burst C rate. Battery manufactures tend to over state their C rating. It is best to ensure your robots max power draw will be safely under the C rating for your battery.		'''C rating''' is maximum safe discharge rate. It would let us know if the above draw of 5 amps was okay. To determine the maximum safe amp draw it is the Capacity (C) times the C rating number. So if our 3S 500 Mah battery had a C rating of 20 the maximum safe amps we could draw would be (500 Mah x 20) 10,000 Milliamps or 10 amps. Which gives us a good safety margin around a 5 amp draw. Some batteries list a fixed and burst C rate. Battery manufactures tend to over state their C rating. It is best to ensure your robots max power draw will be safely under the C rating for your battery.

	=== Connector ===		=== Connector ===
	[[File:Lipo-battery-connectors.png\|\|center\|Common Connectors]]		[[File:Lipo-battery-connectors.png\|\|center\|Common Connectors]]