When the lights flash on the AAA charger it indicates a fault. Do these batteries need pitched or can we rescue them?
When that happens to me I always try taking them out and putting them back in and it usually then charges and holds a charge just fine. However, when the same batteries keep giving a fault like that then yes it is probably time to throw them out. (or shall I say, recycle them in the proper fashion)
It might be possible to “save” the batteries if you have a high quality charger, such as one designed for RC hobby batteries. However, even if you get them to last a bit longer, they are still on their way out and it is probably just easier to get new ones.
My hope is that VEX will eventually allow people to use any charger of their choice. The VEX chargers do not provide a very good charge cycle. The batteries would last much longer if we could use better chargers. (both AAA and the 7.2 V) Of course, this means that people could then potentially over charge batteries and have an advantage…which I’m assuming is what VEX is worried about.
Thanks, I’ll just recycle them. It’s not worth my time to try and rescue them, I’ve got other fish to fry 
I believe you are allowed to use any charger you want for the AAAs. The rule only pertains to the 7.2V batteries.
Well that as well as the fact that many teams at high level tournaments have had fire erupt in their pits from using other chargers.
Vex can only ensure the safety of their chargers and batteries.
Yea, I understand this…but…if the stupidity of others is what dictates the rules for everyone then we shouldn’t even be allowed to cut our metal because “someone might get hurt”.
The issue is that they were using the chargers under normal operating conditions. As opposed to running a dremel into your own hand.
Vex cant ensure the safety of students that aren’t using the chargers they know are safe.
Also imagine venues.
Would your highschool let you use their cafeteria if the last time they allowed it to be used the fire alarm went off?
Imagine large scale venues like world’s.
It is impractical to ban and allow specific chargers. The only way vex can ensure that the chargers all act is the same is by ensuring they are all the same charger.
I agree with there being a limit on the chargers allowed for the VEX robot batteries, but it makes sense that there are no rules on the chargers for the controllers. That is because there are no rules on what batteries must go into the remote, as they are normal AAAs, so we can use any AAAs with any charger you have.
I find it hard to believe that the chargers were being used properly if they started on fire. Chargers do not just spontaneously start on fire. There is always a reason. I have a $20 charger that I use to charge my RC Quadcopter LiPO batteries and it is MUCH more intelligent than the VEX chargers. Fully programmable, multiple fail safes to ensure safety. The darn thing shuts itself off if the battery even gets hot! You can even limit the exact number of mAH’s it will allow to be charged at one time and at what rate. All for LESS than the cost of a junky VEX charger.
Do you agree with 3rd party chargers being OK to use with AAA? As Kevin mentions below you are not required to use VEX batteries in the remote therefore it seems logical that if I buy Energizer AAA rechargeable batteries I should be safe charging them with an Energizer charger. However, based on your argument it would not be acceptable to do so because any and all third party chargers should not be allowed for safety reasons.
Also, regarding the Dremel argument. Lets ignore the cutting ones self as a safety hazard for now. How many teams have rechargeable Dremels? I know we do. Does this mean we should not be allowed to use the Dremel charger because VEX is not able to verify its safety? What if a Dremel battery charger starts on fire this year at Worlds. Does this mean that ALL cordless Dremels should then be illegal?
Just to point out (and repeat I guess) if it is OK to charge AAA batteries with a third party charger then this rules out the “danger” argument against third party chargers for the 7.2 v battery because both could in theory be equally dangerous.
Just to be clear, I think charging batteries should be our responsibility and hence we should be allowed to use whatever charger we so choose.
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The reason VEX banned other chargers was because a few teams would use other ones to overcharge their batteries (even though the VEX ones go to 8-9 volts), which was giving them an unfair advantage.
With the controller batteries, there is no point or advantage to overcharging them, other than possibly damaging your controller.
The safety thing is an added advantage, but I don’t think it was the main reason. Some grinding while not paying attention in a messy work area is probably a bigger fire risk than a charger.
I agree with this 100%, which is why I dislike the rationale of “3rd party VEX chargers should not be allowed due to safety reasons” that was being made.
The argument that 3rd party chargers should not be allowed because it may allow teams to overcharge their batteries and therefore have an unfair advantage is at least a debate worth having.