J.M. Gabrielse

VEX Batteries

J.M. Gabrielse

3000 mAh “Big” Robot Battery

This battery lasts the longest, but it also takes the longest to charge. Use it in competitions.

J.M. Gabrielse

2000 mAh “Little” Robot Battery

This battery doesn’t last that long, but it charges quickly. Use it for practice.

J.M. Gabrielse

Smart Charger(It shuts off automatically)

J.M. Gabrielse

Smart Charger(It shuts off automatically)

Safe mode: Use this! This mode is designed to make batteries last longer.

Fast mode: Only for competitions. It can reduce battery life.

“No Light” – either the battery or the charger isn’t plugged in“Charging” – battery charging“Full” – battery is done charging

J.M. Gabrielse

AAA (Joystick Battery) Charger

The charger can charge 8 AAA or 8 AA batteries but the joysticks only use 6 AA batteries.

J.M. Gabrielse

Joystick Batteries

1. Remove the VEXnet key

2. Unscrew the battery compartment

3. Remove the batteries and place on the charger

2

1

3

J.M. Gabrielse

Red Lights = Dead Batteries(on the robot & the joystick)

(red) Main Battery = Dead (<5.5V) or CORTEX Off

(yellow) Main Battery = Low (<6.5V)

(green) Main Battery = Good Solid All Good: Both Joysticks connected

Solid + 1 Blink All Good: Tx1 Joystick connected

Fast (red) [3] Fault: Low Backup Battery (0V-8V)** * The robot light on the joystick only works if the VEXnet light is green

** no backup battery is only indicated if the competition cable is connected

(red) Joystick Battery = Dead (<5.5V) or CORTEX Off

(yellow) Joystick Battery = Low (<6.5V)

(green) Joystick Battery = Good Fast All Good: Both Joysticks connected

Solid One Joystick in use * no backup battery is only indicated if the competition cable is connected

Robot Light *

Joystick Light

J.M. Gabrielse

Charge Batteries Every Night

• Put the joystick batteries on the charger before you leave.

• Put the big battery on the charger before you leave.

• Put the little battery on the charger when you first arrive in the morning.

&

J.M. Gabrielse

At Competitions

After every match:

1. Turn off the joystick*.

2. Put your old battery on the charger.

3. Put a fresh battery on the robot.

* If you forget to turn off the joystick your batteries won’t last for the whole competition.

J.M. Gabrielse

Backup Batteries

• Sometimes the robot loses power for a second.

• The backup battery keeps the robot from restarting.

• Only use for competitions.

Plug into the Cortex Microcontroller.

One 9 V battery should last all day.

J.M. Gabrielse

Resource

• Vex Inventor’s Guide (Insert): Smart Charger • 1