Current Batteries
We currently have an large assortment of batteries used by the Communications team. Here is the current list as of 03/28/2009. Note that some of the values are either unknown or a guess (those marked with a question mark).
| Picture | Description | Use | Voltages | Battery Type | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
3 Cells. Yellow and black | Micro-Trak 8000 FA (?) | 12V | Lithium Ion | 150g |
 |
4 Cells. Black and blue | Micro-Trak 8000 FA | 15V | Lithium Ion | 141 g (?) |
 |
4 Cells. Black and gray | Micro-Trak 8000 FA | 15V | Lithium Ion | 199g |
 |
8 cells. Black, green, and red | Unknown | 8.25 | NiMH | 478g |
 |
8 cells. Green and red | Unknown | 8.25V | NiMH | 502g |
| To Be Taken | Black and Gray. Flat. | Unknown | 8.32V | Lithium Ion(?) | 102g |
| To Be Taken | 3 Flat Cells, Green | Ginger Amp | 11.75V | Lithium Ion | 58g |
| To Be Taken | 1 Flat Cell, Yellow | Extra | 3.7V | Lithium Ion | 40g |
| To Be Taken | 1 Flat Cell, Green | Ginger | 3.7V | Lithium Ion | 47g |
| To Be Taken | 1 Flat Cell, White | Cutdown Node | 3.7V | Lithium Ion | 16g |
Chargers
We have 2 chargers that we use, one for charging the Lithium Ion batteries that we use for the Microtrak and one for charging the radios use on launch day. Both allow for charging at different voltages.
Tenergy Universal Smart Charger
We use this charger for the Lithium Ion batteries used by VAST. The big benefit of using it is that it has a switch for 4 different voltage settings. For our uses, set the switch depending on how many cells are in the battery pack. For example, use 14.4 volts when charging 4 cells and use 10.8 volts when charging 3 cells. There is also a handy light to display when the battery is done charging. Green means that there is an open circuit or that the battery is done charging and red means that the battery is still charging. If you accidentally apply charge to the the wrong wire of the battery, the fuse of the charger should blow. If this happens, there are replacement fuses in the battery box.
Caution: Always watch the batteries you are charging
Manufacturer's Site:
Tenergy
PowerEx MH-C777Plus-II
This charger is for the radios we use at VAST. Simply plug in the charger and connect the contacts, the charger should take it from there.
For More Information About Batteries:
Battery University
