Rechargeable batteries

heavy-freelancer

Hey,

I'm using Rechargeable batteries with my Boe-Bot and I found this in the manual :

Avoid rechargeable batteries because ther are 1.2 V instead of 1.5 V.

Is this going to cause problems or what.

Thanks.

LoopyByteloose

With four 1.5V batteries, you have 6 volts and with four 1.2V batteries you have 4.8V.
The servo motors that drive your wheels run well at 6 volts and tend to suffer at 4.8 V. Also, the BasicStamp is a 5 volt device though it may operate at 4.8 volts.
Bean managed to locate a 5 battery holder to allow one to adapt the Boe-bot to five 1.2V cells, but I am uncertain if it is still available.

In general, low voltage doesn't cause permanent harm - it just doesn't work right.

There are other ways around the problem. A boost regular could be inserted to provide a steady 6 volts to the servos, then the on board regulator would bring the voltage back down to 5 volts.
But it needs to provide enough power to the motor. So the available Amps have to be substantial as well, at least 1 amp and maybe more.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

You can add a fifth rechargeable to your Boe-Bot using the Boe-Boost Module, which brings the voltage back to 6V.

-Phil

Mike Green

It's very easy to buy a battery holder for a single AA cell and wire it in series with the existing 4 cell battery holder. RadioShack has the single cell battery holders. 5 x 1.2V = 6V.

I mounted my extra battery holder on the BoeBot's deck above the pivot wheel using some silicone adhesive, but double sided foam tape works fine.

John Abshier

Jameco has 1.6 volt rechargable batteries.
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_2115848_-1

John Abshier