View Full Version : URGENT ASSISTANCE!
jdh042397
10-02-2014, 17:29
Weve run into a bit of a snag. I know the battery terminals are only supposed to be 12 inches, but how long can the wires going from the PDB to the Circuit Breaker be?
Mark McLeod
10-02-2014, 17:30
As long as you want.
People try to keep them short because of the weight of the wire, or as part of a plan to minimize power losses over long lengths of wire.
There no rules that say how long or short they should be. Battery leads either. The usual thing is to keep all wires as short as possible. Copper is heavy and that weight adds up quickly.
jdh042397
10-02-2014, 17:36
There no rules that say how long or short they should be. Battery leads either. The usual thing is to keep all wires as short as possible. Copper is heavy and that weight adds up quickly.
Are you sure? In rule R5, it says "the ROBOT battery and its associated half of the Anderson cable quick connect/disconnect pair (including no more than 12 in. of cable per leg, the associated cable lugs, connecting bolts". Doesnt that mean the battery cables have to be 12" or less?
Doesnt that mean the battery cables have to be 12" or less?
Technically only 12" is exempt from the weight limit, but in practice it means battery wiring has to be less than 12"
Al Skierkiewicz
10-02-2014, 17:44
The wires connected to the battery are limited to a maximum length of 12" to keep teams from shifting additional robot weight to the battery, which is not weighed. Granted it is small but we see many robots every year that weigh in a 120.0 lbs. (cough WildStang cough) Every little bit helps.
Technically only 12" is exempt from the weight limit, but in practice it means battery wiring has to be less than 12"
Exactly, you can make them as long as you want them but they will count against your weight.
Exactly, you can make them as long as you want them but they will count against your weight.
The issue is you have to cut them for weighing purposes.
jdh042397
10-02-2014, 17:52
To clarify we want to know what/if there is a maximum length from the Power Distribution Board to the Circuit Breaker.
To clarify we want to know what/if there is a maximum length from the Power Distribution Board to the Circuit Breaker.
The first reply answered that question, there is none (and he is correct :P )
To clarify we want to know what/if there is a maximum length from the Power Distribution Board to the Circuit Breaker.
R35 and Figure 4-11 do not specify a minimum length for that segment of wire.
jdh042397
10-02-2014, 17:57
Thank you for the replies this information helps alot.
Al Skierkiewicz
11-02-2014, 07:20
jd,
The 6 gauge wire will drop some voltage for every inch of wire. The extent of this drop is dependent on how much current your robot draws during play. It is highly recommended to keep this as short as possible. That is inches, not feet, if possible. I had hoped that teams would take away from the 12" rule (R5) that they should keep the wires on the batteries no longer than 12".
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