Page 225 - Robot Builder's Bonanza

194 ROBOT POWER SYSTEMS

Single 2 cell/1 row 3 cell/1 row 4 cell/1 row

Figure 19- 4 Sampling of battery
holder layouts. Only a single side of
the holder is shown here; the same
layouts are available in double- sided
holders, which carry twice the
2 cell/2 row 4 cell/2 row 6 cell/2 row number of cells.

MOUNTING BATTERY HOLDERS TO YOUR ROBOT

Single- and multicell battery holders can be readily secured to your robot using any of three
basic methods:

• Fasteners provide a solid mounting. Most holders have mounting holes for use with small
machine screw hardware. Use 2- 56 hardware, or drill out the holes for larger screws. Opt
for flat- headed screws, and insert the screws through the holder first— this way the screw
hardware will not interfere with the batteries.
• Velcro, Dual Lock, or similar two- part hook- and- loop allows you to mount the holder to
your robot but still pull it off when you need to. The two parts of the hook- and- loop can be
readily separated. Simply remove the holder, exchange the batteries, then press the holder
back into place.
• Double- sided adhesive or foam tape provides a quick and easy method of mounting a
battery holder. Like hook- and- loop, the mounting is semipermanent; even the strongest
foam tape can often be dislodged with some effort. However, reserve this method for when
you don’t need to often remove the holder from its place in your robot.

Try to mount the holder in a location that allows for ready access to the battery cells, so
you can easily get to them. As necessary, consider the underbelly of the robot. Most holders
secure the cells with a tight fit, so you can mount the holder upside down and the batteries
should not (normally) fall out.

SNAPS AND CLIPS FOR 9- VOLT BATTERIES
Use a polarized battery snap for 9- volt batteries. Secure the battery to your robot with a 9- volt
battery clip; these are available for either front or side mount. I like the metal holders, as you
can manually squeeze the tangs together to make for a tighter fit against the battery.
Mount the clip to the robot using double- sided foam tape, hook- and- loop, or fasteners. I

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