It can be confusing with all the different pieces of equipment we have and how they are best charged. So, here's a handy list of instructions for each of the different types of our equipment.
1. ChronoTrack Pro2 Series boxes and Ryobi batteries. Pro2 boxes have five slots that take Ryobi batteries. Four are visible on top and one is underneath the panel and can only be accessed by removing the four screws in each corner. Starting in 2021 the internal batteries have all been removed so the new practice is to always have at least one battery in one of the four upper slots, even during transport or storage. Unless the controller box is plugged in and actively charging the batteries (which will show on the front panel) it will be continually draining any batteries left inside. Within a week or two they will be fully drained and need to be recharged with an external charging unit. For this reason always swap out any batteries left inside a controller box before you go to your next race. Put in fresh batteries and stick the old ones in a charger to be used the next time. If you don't have a Ryobi charger you can charge them right inside the Pro2s. To do so, plug the unit in, and then just flick the power switch quickly. This won't start up the machine but will cause the battery lights to come on and shortly indicate they are charging. If you need to turn the box on to do something with it, if you turn it off and leave it plugged in it will continue to charge. Simply plugging it in whlie turned off will not charge the batteries.
Do NOT keep Ryobis stored in the Mini controllers for a long time. Always remove them between races. You can leave them in there for short duration transport, however. Unlike Pro2s, the Ryobis won't charge when the box is off but plugged in.
You should also not store Ryobis in a charger, as that will slowly drain them as well. Remove them once they are fully charged.
This type of battery does best when it is used fairly frequently (like at least once a month) and is partially drained down (say to at least 70%) before it is recharged again. Press the charge level indicator button one one end of the battery. If all four bars are green, it's fully charged, or close to it. If only three are lit, it's a good time to top it off. Below that means that it should certainly be recharged. Check your batteries at least a day before your race to make sure that they have four bars.
Do not store Ryobi batteries or a Pro2 controller with Ryobis in it in a hot vehicle/trailer/shed! Lithium Ion batteries are sensitive to temperature. If left subjected to high temperatures over a long period of time, their charging capacity can be drastically reduced. As little as a week stored in a hot shed could reduce the 'recoverable charge' by up to 5%. When possible, store Ryobis in a climate-controlled environment 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal to preserve optimum battery life and charge.
2. Time Machines. Keep charged up, but don't leave on permanent charge. After use, recharge until light is bright green - at least 2 hours to be sure. If orange for a while, give them up to 12 hours as needed. Boosting is only a good idea if it has been several weeks between uses and recharges. If the battery light stays orange and doesn't go green, check the battery settings on the screen to see if it is okay. Sometimes the batteries won't turn green even though it is fully charged.
3. Electronumerics and Lightbox/Delahunty clocks - these can be left plugged in. Or, charge up and boost before your event. The internal charger automatically detects when the battery is fully charged and will switch to a maintenance mode, protecting the batteries from overcharging. It will also constantly monitor the battery voltage and will keep the battery at optimal charging levels. With Delahunty's clocks, the amount of power used when turned on is slightly more than what they get from being plugged in. So that means you cannot run a totally dead clock just by plugging it in, as running it uses more juice than is being provided. It also means that if you are running one of these clocks on a very long day - such as at a marathon, they will continually drain down throughout the day, even if plugged in. Just more slowly.
4. iResults iPads. When not in use these should be either turned off or plugged in. You'll need to use the key to open the case to access the iPad's power button on the top of the device. If they are not turned off they will slowly drain power so that in a few weeks they will be just about completely drained. To recharge, simply plug the attached white USB cable into one of the white adapter's that are included in the iPad case. It can take the better part of a day to charge so don't wait until the last minute.
5. Jackery electric generators. These should be plugged in after each use and left plugged in while stored.
6. Megaphones. Depending on which type of megaphone you have you might have a battery that needs to be periodically recharged. If you do have one of these, you should charge it up fully after every second or third use, or once a month, to make sure it will be working on race day. If you have an old megaphone with standard batteries in it, test it before each race to make sure the batteries are still good, and replace if necessary.
7. 12 volt external batteries. (As of 2021 GSRS doesn't use these any more.) These are lead acid and love to be charged. Again, don't deplete and leave that way. We can extend their life if we recharge faster after use too. The best way for recharging these batteries is on a 2 amp to 10 amp setting. When there is time, its best to charge them on the 2 Amp setting, rather than 10. Leave them on charge for a long time - like overnight or a full day if possible to insure complete deep charge. If you have a couple to charge and only daylight to do it, use the 10 Amp setting and do each for 3-4 hours. If you use the faster (10 Amp) boost charge, it won't be as good and will actually shorten the life of the battery. If there is a setting for Deep Cycle on the bigger Marine style batteries - use it. Place the red cable end on the positive terminal, the black on the negative, and THEN plug in the charger. Instructions always stress to wear protective eyewear, so be careful. At the 2-10 amp level, it is OK to leave them on charge overnight if you want. Once all batts are recharged, unplug and leave. If race is within a few days, you're all set. If a couple weeks or more pass, a boost of an hour or two is good. Remember to keep these batteries in plastic boxes if possible and don't let them contact your clothing. If it rains, be sure to get batteries out of wet containers to dry on cardboard. Leaving them in wet containers is not good for them. Battery acid will leach into the water and create a mess that can burn through your clothing quickly.