Difference between revisions of "Talk:DEWBOT XII Havoc"

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==Battery Testing==
 
==Battery Testing==
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In spite of the fact that we test all batteries with a Battery Beak (Manufactured by Cross the Road Electronics - marketed by AndyMark) before competition, we experienced two battery failure in competition: one at Westtown (battery AD) and a more complete one at MAR Championship (battery AF) where we just managed to crawl to the batter at the start of the match.
+
Driving issues during early HAVOC matches led us to fully retest our batteries.  As the most recent tests were in April, this retesting was due.  Our driving problems turned out to be drive-train related, not due to batteries.
  
−
As a result, we tested all competition-rated batteries 18-20 April using the CBA (Computerized Battery Analyzer) III (manufactured by Optim Engineering - marketed and sold by West Mountain Radio).  The CBA measures the voltage of a battery over time under a fixed current load until a set terminal voltage is reached.  For this testing, the load is set to 7.5 amps; terminal voltage to 10.5 volts.  The CBA reports Amp Hrs.
+
All competition-rated batteries were tested 24-26 September using the CBA III (manufactured by Optim Engineering - marketed and sold by West Mountain Radio).  The CBA measures the voltage of a battery over time under a fixed current load until a set terminal voltage is reached.  For this testing, the load is set to 7.0 amps (should have been 7.5 - this was an exception to standard procedure); terminal voltage to 10.5 volts.  The CBA reports Amp Hrs.
  
−
[[image:Battery_test_160924.jpg|450px|right]]The data collected on the batteries is here (right):
+
[[image:Battery_Test_160924.jpg|450px|right]]The data collected on the batteries is here (right) and the CBA III performance charts (below):
−
 
 
−
And the CBA III performance charts (below):
 
 
[[image:Batteries_160924.jpg|450px|left]]
 
[[image:Batteries_160924.jpg|450px|left]]
  
−
Three batteries were removed from service as a result of the testing: AD, AE & AF.  Note that AC had previously been removed from service.  The batteries AC-AF all entered service in 2014 and came from two consecutive orders of two batteries each.  With the exception of these four batteries, the only other gap in our in-service batteries is "V" from 2013.  "U" is the oldest battery in service (also from 2013), so "V" almost certainly died of old age.  This makes the AC-AF group appear as if it may be associated with a manufacturing QC lapse.
+
One battery, "O" (our oldest) was found to have sub-par performance.  "O" had already been identified as problematic and was not brought to HAVOC, and so did not contribute to problems.  In addition, "U" (the next oldest) is beginning to degrade and will be rerated as Yellow (not competition) as well, so as to avoid troubles.
  
 
Read the full [[media:U-AJ-160420.pdf | CBA III Report]].  
 
Read the full [[media:U-AJ-160420.pdf | CBA III Report]].  
  
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Our last full battery test with the CBA III was conducted in March 2014.  These test are labor and time intensive.  Since then, we have relied on the Battery Beak to assess battery health.
+
Our last full battery test with the CBA III was conducted in [[Talk:DEWBOT XII Mid-Atlantic Robotics District Championship#Battery Testing | April 2016]].  Full CBA checks will be run on all competition batteries at least two times per year. The next must be conducted prior to our first 2017 season competition.
−
 
+
<br><br><br><br><br>
−
Key findings of this test are:
+
==HAVOC Post-Mortem==
−
# The Battery Beak does not identify all failed batteries.  As a result, reliance on the Battery Beak alone exposes the team to battery failures in competition (as at Westtown & MAR Championships).
+
<big>What Worked</big>
−
# The CBA III does appear to correctly identify failed batteries (as identified by competition failures) which the Battery Beak misses.
+
*Shooting at end
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# The CBA III appears to also identify failing batteries (such as "AE"), allowing these to be removed from competition service prior to obvious failure.
+
*Scouting
−
# It is clear that the team should reinstitute a regular CBA testing regime. 
+
*Loading trailer
−
 
+
*Fast, planned pit work
−
The CBA III is no longer manufactured.  The team has ordered a CBA IV from West Mountain Radio.  This augments rather than replaces the old CBA III (with is compatible with Windows 10).  The team has also ordered two replacement batteries to be delivered to our pit at FRC Championship.
+
*Pit programming
−
 
 
−
==Proposed Battery Policy==
 
−
<big>In general</big>
 
−
* Batteries are identified with a 1 or 2 letter code.  Batteries entering service up to the start of 2014 are lettered A-Z.  Subsequent batteries enter service with 2-letter identifiers: AA-AZ; then BA-BZ; ...to ZZ (should we live that long). 
 
−
* Batteries identify the team (1640) and the year in which the battery entered service.
 
−
* Pick up batteries by the battery case; not by the cables or connector
 
−
* Handle batteries carefully; do not drop
 
−
* Competition-rated batteries are indicated by a blue sticker.
 
−
* Non-competition batteries are indicated by a yellow sticker.
 
−
* Failed batteries are indicated by a red sticker and leads are removed. 
 
−
* Failed batteries are recycled at the earliest possible convenience.
 
−
* Batteries are Competition (blue sticker) rated if:
 
−
:# They have been CBA tested and delivered >11.0 AmpHr during their latest CBA test; and
 
−
:# They rate "Good" by Battery Beak and >100% charge after being fully recharged; and
 
−
:# Have not been identified during an ongoing competition as a "problem-battery"; and
 
−
:# Have not been dropped since the last CBA test; and
 
−
:# Have no visible signs of damage to the battery case, relief valve, cables or connectors.
 
−
* Batteries are non-competition (yellow sticker) rated if:
 
−
:# Their latest CBA test yielded capacity of 7-11 AmpHr; or
 
−
:# They rate "Fair" by Battery Beak and >100% charge after being fully recharged; and
 
−
:# Have not been identified during an ongoing competition as a "problem-battery"; and
 
−
:# Have not been dropped since the last CBA test; and
 
−
:# Have no visible signs of damage to the battery case, relief valve, cables or connectors.
 
−
* Batteries are unrated and may not be used in competition if:
 
−
:# They have not been CBA tested within the past 9 months; or
 
−
:# They have been dropped since their last CBA test and have no visible damage to the case; or
 
−
:# Have been identified during an ongoing competition as a "problem-battery".
 
−
* Batteries having damaged cables or connectors must have these repaired or replaced prior to use.  CBA testing is not required to return a battery with repaired cables or connector to service.
 
−
* A battery is failed and must be permanently removed from service, cables removed and battery recycled if:
 
−
:# The battery case is visibly damaged in any way; or
 
−
:# The relief valve has opened; or
 
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:# Any leakage or liquid or gel is observed (CAUTION - CORROSIVE! - use battery clean-up kit); or
 
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:# The battery becomes hot to the touch while charging; or
 
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:# The CBA indicates <7 AmpHr; or
 
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:# The Battery Beak indicates "Bad" or <100% charge immediately after charging the battery.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
<big>At competition</big>
 
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* Change the battery prior to each match after preparing the robot for the coming match. 
 
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* Remove old battery for recharging.  If removed in-pit, place battery on charger immediately.  Otherwise charge the battery when returning to the pit.  Never re-insert white plastic plug into the connector of a used battery.
 
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* Test each new battery with a Battery Beak prior to installing in the robot or placing on the robot cart.  Battery Beak must indicate that the Battery is "Good" and >100% charged.  Verify that battery has a blue sticker.
 
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* When installing a new battery in the robot, the pit crew does not remove the white plastic plug and does not connect the battery to the robot's power connector.
 
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* Handle all batteries carefully by the battery case (not by cables or connectors)
 
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* Observe condition of cables and connectors - repair or remove from service pending repair any battery with damaged cable or connector.
 
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* After removing a battery from the charger, immediately insert the white plastic plug into the connector and place the battery into the "Charged" queue.
 
−
 
 
  
−
<big>CBA Testing</big>
+
<big>What Didn't</big>
−
* CBA testing of ALL competition should be conducted no more than two weeks prior to:
+
*Shooting at beginning
−
:# The team's first Qualifying Event of each season; and
+
*Inattention to robot condition prior to competition
−
:# The District Championship (presuming we qualify); and
+
:*Drive-train not switched as planned
−
:# The FRC Championship (presuming we qualify); and
+
:*Drive motors falling off
−
:# IRI (presuming we participate)
+
:*Encoders connected incorrectly
−
* CBA testing is encouraged prior to all competitions.
+
:*Scaling system finished at competition
−
* CBA testing should be at 7.5 amps load; 10.5 volts terminal voltage.
+
:*Catapult string changed and not checked
 +
:*Bolts falling out - multiple
 +
*Too many people in pit
 +
*Communications between stands & pit (what does this mean?)
 +
*Pit management
 +
*Ratchet on scaling
 +
*Drive coach decision (to land on 816)
  
 +
<big>Actions</big>
 +
*Checklist for Robot
 +
*Perform full diagnostics 2 weeks before tournament
 +
*Keep list of urgent fixes between meetings
 +
*Pit schedule
 +
*Involve more scouts
 +
*Fix hanger ratchet
 +
*Prescout at Hatboro-Horsham
 +
*Watch our matches between matches at Westtown
  
 
----
 
----
 
[[Category:DEWBOT XII]][[Category:Engineering]][[Category:Batteries]]
 
[[Category:DEWBOT XII]][[Category:Engineering]][[Category:Batteries]]

Latest revision as of 01:50, 3 October 2016

Battery Testing

Driving issues during early HAVOC matches led us to fully retest our batteries. As the most recent tests were in April, this retesting was due. Our driving problems turned out to be drive-train related, not due to batteries.

All competition-rated batteries were tested 24-26 September using the CBA III (manufactured by Optim Engineering - marketed and sold by West Mountain Radio). The CBA measures the voltage of a battery over time under a fixed current load until a set terminal voltage is reached. For this testing, the load is set to 7.0 amps (should have been 7.5 - this was an exception to standard procedure); terminal voltage to 10.5 volts. The CBA reports Amp Hrs.

Battery Test 160924.jpg
The data collected on the batteries is here (right) and the CBA III performance charts (below):
Batteries 160924.jpg

One battery, "O" (our oldest) was found to have sub-par performance. "O" had already been identified as problematic and was not brought to HAVOC, and so did not contribute to problems. In addition, "U" (the next oldest) is beginning to degrade and will be rerated as Yellow (not competition) as well, so as to avoid troubles.

Read the full CBA III Report.

Our last full battery test with the CBA III was conducted in April 2016. Full CBA checks will be run on all competition batteries at least two times per year. The next must be conducted prior to our first 2017 season competition.




HAVOC Post-Mortem

What Worked

  • Shooting at end
  • Scouting
  • Loading trailer
  • Fast, planned pit work
  • Pit programming

What Didn't

  • Shooting at beginning
  • Inattention to robot condition prior to competition
  • Drive-train not switched as planned
  • Drive motors falling off
  • Encoders connected incorrectly
  • Scaling system finished at competition
  • Catapult string changed and not checked
  • Bolts falling out - multiple
  • Too many people in pit
  • Communications between stands & pit (what does this mean?)
  • Pit management
  • Ratchet on scaling
  • Drive coach decision (to land on 816)

Actions

  • Checklist for Robot
  • Perform full diagnostics 2 weeks before tournament
  • Keep list of urgent fixes between meetings
  • Pit schedule
  • Involve more scouts
  • Fix hanger ratchet
  • Prescout at Hatboro-Horsham
  • Watch our matches between matches at Westtown
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