VEX Batteries
J.M. Gabrielse
3000 mAh “Big” Robot Battery
This battery lasts the longest, but it also takes the
longest to charge. Use it in competitions.
J.M. Gabrielse
2000 mAh “Little” Robot Battery
This battery doesn’t last that long, but it charges
quickly. Use it for practice.
J.M. Gabrielse
Smart Charger
(It shuts off automatically)
J.M. Gabrielse
Smart Charger
(It shuts off automatically)
Safe mode: Use this! This mode is
designed to make batteries last longer.
Fast mode: Only for competitions. It can
reduce battery life.
“No Light” – either the battery or the charger isn’t plugged in
“Charging” – battery charging
“Full” – battery is done charging
J.M. Gabrielse
AAA (Joystick Battery) Charger
The charger can charge 8 AAA or 8 AA batteries but the joysticks
only use 6 AA batteries.
J.M. Gabrielse
Joystick Batteries
1. Remove the VEXnet
key
1
2. Unscrew the battery
compartment
2
3. Remove the batteries
and place on the
charger
3
J.M. Gabrielse
Red Lights = Dead Batteries
(on the robot & the joystick)
Robot Light *
(red)
Main Battery = Dead (<5.5V) or CORTEX Off
(yellow)
Main Battery = Low (<6.5V)
(green)
Main Battery = Good
Solid
All Good: Both Joysticks connected
Solid + 1 Blink
All Good: Tx1 Joystick connected
Fast (red) [3]
Fault: Low Backup Battery (0V-8V)**
* The robot light on the joystick only works if the VEXnet light is green
** no backup battery is only indicated if the competition cable is connected
Joystick Light
(red)
Joystick Battery = Dead (<5.5V) or CORTEX Off
(yellow)
Joystick Battery = Low (<6.5V)
(green)
Joystick Battery = Good
Fast
All Good: Both Joysticks connected
Solid
One Joystick in use
* no backup battery is only indicated if the competition cable is connected
J.M. Gabrielse
Charge Batteries Every Night
&
• Put the joystick batteries on the charger
before you leave.
• Put the big battery on the charger before
you leave.
• Put the little battery on the charger when
you first arrive in the morning.
J.M. Gabrielse
At Competitions
After every match:
1. Turn off the joystick*.
2. Put your old battery on
the charger.
3. Put a fresh battery on
the robot.
* If you forget to turn off the joystick your batteries won’t last for
the whole competition.
J.M. Gabrielse
Backup Batteries
Plug into the Cortex
Microcontroller.
• Sometimes the robot loses
power for a second.
• The backup battery keeps the
robot from restarting.
One 9 V battery
should last all day.
• Only use for competitions.
J.M. Gabrielse
Resource
• Vex Inventor’s
Guide (Insert):
Smart Charger • 1
J.M. Gabrielse