fischertechnikAccu Set 120V, Multicolor, 57487

We bought the Accu Set for the ROBO TX Training Lab. (For the different Fischertechnik robot sets you can chose between this Accu Set, the older Energy Set, or the brand new Power Set as energy source and hence none is included with any of those sets.) Initially, I thought this battery set is way overpriced considering what AA NiMH cells cost. But I was wrong. This is what you get:- A battery pack containing seven NiMH cells, delivering 8.4V nominal out with a capacity of 1500mAh. The instruction says that the pack has an integrated circuit to protect the battery from short circuiting it which is very useful for kids. The trigger is probably a thermo switch because I was able to get 3A out of the batteries for a short time. The form factor is the same as the little 60x60 cassette which is supplied with so many Fischertechnik sets.- An intelligent charger. This is not your ordinary trickle charger which comes with many battery kits from big blocks. This charger is able to charge the battery pack within two hours regardless of initial charging state. (A trickle charger charges with 10% of capacity and a charge typically takes 14 hours.) The charger has circuitry built-in to protect the battery from over charge and also to extent battery life. The charger itself is heavy and it probably contains a linear power supply. It has an LED indicating charging and full state. The charger is connected via a quiet large plug to the battery pack. Not sure why it is that large. In any way, it cannot be connected wrongly, though it comes with the warning that only adults should charge the battery pack.- As a bonus, you also get a Fischertechnik switch and a 30cm long Fischertechnik low voltage red/green cable which is a nice touch. (That is usually included with the sets.)For curiosity, I tested the pack on our heirloom motors from the 70s. They run a lot faster and more power than on the old 4.5V battery holder. The power supply from the 70s delivered 6.8V nominal and probably more like 8 to 9V under little load and I think those motors might be fine with the almost 9V from the battery pack. Nominal rating is usually noted with 6V on those motors. I also tested the pack with light cubes. The cubes we have were made for operating with 5-6V in combination with various Fischertechnik electric and electronics sets from the 70s and 80s. They light up very brightly and I am not sure whether they might survive for long, though. But they very well might just do fine. Those light cubes from more recent Sounds + Lights Set and those which come with some robot sets are rated for 9V.

I had horrible experience with this German company. I wanted to start a class so I bought plenty of their products across the lines. Now, at Profi levels, more and more the models depend on the controller for them all to offer the best educational values. Day One the boxes arrived and the Controller broke. I reached out to both the seller and the company in Germany. They all pretended to provide technical support while all that meant was, "hey, there cannot be any problem. It should be working now". That's bad customer service.Another thing is that almost all of their products related to electronics do not have manuals for such equipment. You buy even a can opener and you get some instructions on how to use it property. If there is anything that is "okay" with Fischertechnik then it is the Building Instruction manual. It's okay, but it's all elementary. Comparing to other STEM educational packages ( I will not name names here), the "soft value" of post-purchase services from Fischertechnik is way too inferior. I will not come back to this company.

Decent product, although you need to charge it often.

cool addition to my fischertechnik sets.