Thanks, Ralph!  Do you know if you can send the batteries back to them to be
recycled?


On Sun, May 16, 2010 at 3:00 PM, Ralph Grove <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>  According to Lego, the Mindstorms battery should be good for over 500
> charging cycles. If you're recharging it once a week, that's about 10 years.
> These batteries do wear out from corrosion and chemical changes as well,
> though, so I wouldn't expect one to last that long.
>
> You can check the charge level of the battery from within the NXT
> programming environment. If recharging brings the battery voltage to a
> reasonable level, close to 9V, and the level doesn't drop rapidly as the
> robot is being used, then the battery's probably OK.
>
> If you're going to buy a new battery, be sure to recycle the old one.
>
> Ralph
>
>
> On 5/16/10 1:26 PM, Sonya Shaver wrote:
>
> I have no information as I am seriously battery-challenged.  But I wanted
> to add that I would love to know also.  I think that from what others have
> said, it seems like after a couple of years the rechargeable battery doesn't
> work as well anymore.  It kind of wears down and doesn't charge as well over
> time.  We are entering Year 3 with our current robot and battery, so I was
> thinking about buying a new battery before the start of the season.  I don't
> honestly notice any difference in the performance of our battery as of yet,
> however, I don't want to have chaos in the middle of the season!  So I
> thought maybe starting with a fresh battery would be better.
>
>  So, I would love to know also!
>
>  best,
> Sonya Shaver in Harriosnburg
>
>
> On Sun, May 16, 2010 at 8:10 AM, Eric Palmer <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> It appears as if Lego has a new recharable battery with 2100mAh of power
>> compared with the original 1400 mAh
>>
>>
>> At the first site for team registration, products page there is a battery
>> charger and battery listed this way
>>
>> --- NEW BATTERY ---
>>
>> Rechargeable AC Battery
>>    * US 979798
>>    * $54.95 USD
>>        Description:
>>
>> This battery is for robots purchased prior to the Body Forward season.
>>
>> And there is a charger listed  the same way.
>> The lego Education Store lists this original batter this way
>> This rechargeable lithium battery is designed for use with the NXT
>> Intelligent Brick. The battery features 1400 mAh of power and an A/C plug
>> for direct power supply. The battery will charge from 0 to full in a
>> maximum
>> of four hours. Use the 979833 AC Adapter to charge the battery (sold
>> separately).
>>
>>
>> --- ORIGINAL BATTERY ---
>> Then there is another battery and charger listed this way
>>
>> Rechargeable DC Battery
>>    * US 979693
>>    * $54.95 USD
>>
>> The above one is a NEW Battery that the Lego Education Store describes
>> this
>> way
>>
>> Designed for use with the NXT Intelligent Brick, this lithium ion polymer
>> battery with DC plug gives you an alternative to normal AA batteries. The
>> battery features 2100 mAh of power and uses the Transformer 10V DC
>> (778887)
>> to charge. Estimated recharge time: 4-5 hours. Is not compatible with the
>> AC
>> Charger (979833).
>>
>>
>>
>> The description on the FIRST site leads us to believe that the new battery
>> can't be used with the older NXT bricks. But the Lego Education site just
>> explains that the chargers have to be matched up.
>>
>>
>> Does anyone have any additional information on these batteries?
>>
>> Thanks
>>   ---
>> Eric F. Palmer
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
>> -- To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit
>> https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or
>> leave the list".
>>
>> -- VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ADMIN-L.
>> Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-l.html to
>> subscribe.
>>
>
>  ------------------------------
> To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit
> https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave
> the list".
> VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ADMIN-L. Visit
> https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-l.html to subscribe.
>
>
> --
> Ralph F Grove, PhD
> Professor, Graduate Director
> James Madison University Department of Computer Science
>
>  ------------------------------
> To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit
> https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave
> the list".
> VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ADMIN-L. Visit
> https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-l.html to subscribe.
>

-- To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list".

-- VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ADMIN-L. Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-l.html to subscribe.