Subject:
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RE: Rechargeable batteries and the RCX -- Firmware error
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Fri, 12 Jul 2002 23:38:55 GMT
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Original-From:
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<liz@bookwyrmz.com%NoSpam%>
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Viewed:
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682 times
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Our class uses NiMH batteries. Haven't seen any problem... but we do have
one problem off and on and I guess that could be related.
On one RCX, we do get an error that the firmware needs to be downloaded
quite often, and the battery level on the RCX is about 2/3 to 1/2 on the
meter (we use the RCX software). So I don't think it's a lack of juice...
Of course, it could be something the kids are doing. Anyone else get this
message excessively? We have to reload the firmware 2-3 times a class
period. Of course, the kids answer to every problem is to blame the
hardware and/or switch batteries (but when we get this error, the RCX
batteries have NOT been removed, which I know causes this to happen).
But I do think we only get this error only on one RCX. 3 of our RCXs are
1.5s, 4 are 2.0s, and 1 is a 1.0. Actually are just starting to use the
1.0, so we'll see how that goes. We are using the software version 2.0 with
serial towers. I haven't noticed which version RCX is getting the error; I
need to make a note next time it happens.
Liz Bilbro
Teacher/Coach
CyberStorm Robotics Class and FLL Team
Sports for the Mind for Lubbock Homeschoolers
http://www.cyberstorm.us/
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Baker [mailto:sjbaker1@airmail.net]
Sent: Saturday, July 13, 2002 10:54 AM
To: Laura O'Grady
Cc: lego-robotics@crynwr.com
Subject: Re: Rechargeable batteries and the RCX
Laura O'Grady wrote:
> Does anyone have any comments about using rechargeable batteries in the
> RCX? Has anyone had any bad experiences with this? Can anyone recommend
> whether NiMH is better or worse than NiCd? Thanks.
Definitely use NiMH's.
NiCd's are a problem - they only generate 1.2 volts instead of the usual
1.5 of disposable batteries - and I've found that this *sometimes* causes
problems with the RCX. I'm not sure exactly what the situations where it
fails are though - maybe room temperature, load, how well charged they are?
Anyway - I know quite a few people have reported problems too - so it's not
just me.
NiMH's work fine though - I use them a lot.
----------------------------- Steve Baker -------------------------------
Mail : <sjbaker1@airmail.net> WorkMail: <sjbaker@link.com>
URLs : http://www.sjbaker.org
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Rechargeable batteries and the RCX -- Firmware error
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| One or more of the battery contacts could have lost its springiness. Try bending all the contacts in towards the other side of the compartment (not too far!). Also, the contacts that supply the power from the batteries to the circuit board may be (...) (22 years ago, 13-Jul-02, to lugnet.robotics)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Rechargeable batteries and the RCX
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| (...) Definitely use NiMH's. NiCd's are a problem - they only generate 1.2 volts instead of the usual 1.5 of disposable batteries - and I've found that this *sometimes* causes problems with the RCX. I'm not sure exactly what the situations where it (...) (22 years ago, 13-Jul-02, to lugnet.robotics)
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