Vertical Robotics Competition
  • Welcome to VRC!
  • Before We Get Started
    • Phase I Overview
    • Helpful Links
  • Primary Goal: Assembly and Configuration
    • VRC Drone Kit Contents
    • VRC Drone Assembly
      • Arms and Motors
      • Landing Gear, PDB, and Rails
      • ESCs, FC Power Module, and Receiver
      • Flight Controller Enclosure
      • Mounting the Flight Controller
      • Top Plate and Arms
      • FC and ESC Wiring
      • Propeller Adapters
    • RC Transmitter Setup
      • Basic Usage
      • Binding the RC Receiver
      • Setting the Output Mode
      • Setting Up Channels on the RC Transmitter
      • Setting Up Failsafe
    • FC Setup and Calibration w/ QGC
      • PX4 Firmware
      • Airframe
      • Sensors
      • Radio
      • Flight Modes and Kill Switch
      • Power
      • Safety
      • Motor Test
  • Sphero RVR
    • RVR Assembly
    • RVR Programming
  • Battery
    • Overview
    • Charging
    • Storage
  • Checkpoint #1: Flight Test
    • Before You Fly
    • Flight Test
    • After You Fly
  • SECONDARY GOAL: PCC
    • Laptop Setup
      • Setting Up Windows
      • Install Git Bash
      • Clone the VRC Repo
      • Install Anaconda
      • Install VS Code
      • Install SD Card Formatter
      • Install Balena Etcher
      • Install PuTTY
      • Install QGroundControl
    • Peripheral Control Computer (PCC)
      • Physical Assembly
      • Video Tutorial: Flash & Test PCC
      • Flash the PCC
      • Test the PCC
  • Overachiever Goal
    • Vehicle Management Computer (VMC) Setup
      • Preparing the Jetson
      • Flashing the SD Card
      • First Boot
  • 3D Printing Project
    • Project Overview
    • Sr. Design Project
    • Rotor Guards
  • Diving Deeper
    • Control Loops
    • Glossary
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On this page
  • Safety Overview
  • Key Safety Points
  • LiPO Battery Voltage Range
  • Definitions
  • The Charger: Venom 0677 (Pro 2)
  • The Cell Checker: Venom 0644

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  1. Battery

Overview

Battery safety and care is very important. Please read through these sections thoroughly before your initial flight test.

PreviousRVR ProgrammingNextCharging

Last updated 4 years ago

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Safety Overview

Please ensure all team members have read the LiPO instruction sheet that was included with the Venom battery as well as the manual for the Venom Pro 2 Charger.

These documents can be viewed at:

Key Safety Points

  • Always charge batteries using the proper settings. Improper charge settings may result in a catastrophic failure of the battery.

  • Never charge batteries unattended. If, during a charge, you need to leave for any reason, stop the charge and disconnect the battery from the charger. You can restart charging when you return.

  • If a battery ever becomes warm/hot during charge, or starts to swell, it should be removed from the charger and taken outside where it cannot cause damage if it fails. If a battery fails as a result of damage or misuse it may result in fire.

  • Never leave a battery connected to your device or charger when not in active use. This may cause a parasitic draw on the battery which may lead it to become over-discharged.

LiPO Battery Voltage Range

  • 4.20V per cell represents a fully charged cell.

  • 3.00V per cell is the very lowest the battery can go without sustaining damage.

  • 3.70V per cell is the “Nominal Voltage” which is the “named” voltage of the cell. This voltage is used as a standard to identify the cell/battery type.

  • 3.5-3.7V per cell is the voltage we would recommend landing at.

The battery you will be using is a Venom 14.8V 5000mAh 35C Battery.

Definitions

  • Battery: A battery is a device consisting of one or more electrochemical cells with external connections for powering electrical devices.

  • mAh: is an abbreviation for milliamp hour and is a unit that measures (electric) power over time. It is commonly used to measure the energy capacity of a battery. In general, the more mAh and the longer the battery capacity or battery “run time.”

  • C-Rating: is a shorthand representation of how many amps the cells can supply on a continuous basis without failing.

  • Cell Count: How many cells are in series to make the overall voltage of the pack. In this case, 4 cells are in series to make 14.8V nominal, or 16.8V when fully charged. Sometimes referred to as a 4S battery, the “S” refers to “series” to tell us how many cells are comprising the battery pack.

The Charger: Venom 0677 (Pro 2)

The Venom Pro 2 is one of Venom’s most popular single-channel multi-chemistry battery chargers. It features an 80W Power supply as well as an integrated balancing port. The Pro 2 is capable of charging 1S-6S batteries.

We recommend you use this pouch as a charging mat, this will give you an added layer of protection between the battery and the charging surface. Always remember to charge batteries on a non-combustible surface.

The Cell Checker: Venom 0644

This cell checker provides you with instant access to see the voltage of the individual cells of your battery. It doubles as a low voltage alarm, but you probably will not use it in that capacity. It will first show the overall pack voltage, and then cycle through showing the voltage of each individual cell.

When using the cell checker, you need to plug it in with the contacts (silver tabs) facing up and (black plastic arrows facing down) and the plug towards the left side of the checker.

Venom 15027 Battery and Connectors
Venon Pro 2 Charger
Venom battery pouch for charging and storage
Venom pouch used as a charging mat
Cell checker in action
Venom 15027 4S 5000mAh 35C Battery
Venom Pro 2 Charger