Constant Orange Light on Spike

[DarkRune]

Hi guys,
Our compressor isn't running when we enable to robot, below is everything I've noticed:

Light on the Spike stays orange when we enable the robot
Light on the sidecar turns on when we enable
PWM cable has been switched out many times, still doesn't work
20 amp breaker in spike and pd board, neither breaker trips when we enable
Compressor works when bypassing the spike
We've been running the same compressor code since St. Louis, it worked at a previous off season, so we are very certain it is not a code problem

We have an off season event this friday, so any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Dylan

[AustinShalit]

Is your pressure switch connected to the digital sidecar?

[DarkRune]

Is your pressure switch connected to the digital sidecar?
Yes the pressure switch is connected to the digital side car. We've also tried various spikes and we can't get it to work.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Is the PWM cable on the spike properly seated?

[Joe Ross]

Given that the light on the DS turns on, that says the DS is getting the activation signal, which rules out the pressure switch or code.

Getting a PWM correctly seated in a Spike or Victor is an art. I suspect that is your problem, despite the fact that you tried multiple PWM cables. It may be helpful to get help from a local team that has the touch, if the problem persists.

One other thing I didn't see in your list is measuring the signal from the DS, although I don't think it is likely that this is the problem.

[JamesCH95]

Is the PWM cable on the spike properly seated?

This times all of it. I have helped trouble-shoot so many "my compressor won't run" problems that traced back to this, especially when teams insisted that it was seated properly. It is really easy to mess up.

[DarkRune]

Okay, I'll redo the PWM cable once I get a chance, and the bad seating would be consistent with how the problems reoccur when we change the spike/pwm.

[G_rupp]

Do you have a replacement Spike. I have seen them just stop working.

[Tom Line]

Many times, if your PWM wire prongs are straight they may not make contact. We bend them slightly outward so they exert a bit of pressure in the connection. It helps keep them from falling out as well, but we still retain them with other methods because they just don't stay in.

[DarkRune]

We changed the PWM cable, bent out the prongs, still doesn't work. Also previously when we replaced the Spike with a brand new one it worked briefly, but after we turned it off, tied it down, and re-ran it, it no longer worked.

[audietron]

Something I have found is that If the Vex spikes are not working because of the loss PWM. I suggest is to test an old IFI Spike. The connection seems to be more solid.

[MrTechCenter]

Something I have found is that If the Vex spikes are not working because of the loss PWM. I suggest is to test an old IFI Spike. The connection seems to be more solid.

Ditto. The VexPro spikes have given us a problems many times, like the PWM not being seated properly and for some reason the fuse is always either so tight it can't be pulled out ever or really loose. The old IFI spikes have never given us an issue.

[DarkRune]

Turns out our compressor was shorting and killing the spikes. We changed the compressor and spike, and bent out the PWM pins to solidify the connection. Thanks for the help guys

[Tungrus]

It's great that your problem has resolved.

Just curious...if your compressor was shorted did it not blow the 20A circuit breaker or the fuse on the spike?

In many cases the VEX spike may not be the culprit, so when we generalized statement like we always or many times have problem with VEX spike its not fair for the supplier. If a dozen people have similar problem with the same batch of a product, the common factor could be the spike. As far as VEX is concerned when they know the problem they have comeback and acknowledged the issue. Sorry I am not VEX employee, just a thought, now that many rookies are starting this season.

[Jon Stratis]

Did you have the fuse (yellow automotive style fuse) in the spike replaced with a 20A snap-action circuit breaker (the ones that go in the Power Distribution Board)?

FIRST legal compressors generally will pull more than 20A briefly on startup, before settling down to a lower draw (which then gradually increases as you approach 120 PSI). As a result, if you leave the 20A fuse in there, it'll be fine and work initially... until the fuse eventually blows. The snap-action breakers have different operating characteristics, which allow them to work perfectly fine in this application.

Please note, Per R64, part E (2014 rulebook), the spike running the compressor is the only one that is allowed to use a snap-action breaker. All other ones must use the yellow fuse.

With the new control system, this is looking like it'll be easier as the compressor will be powered from the PCM instead of a spike.

[JamesCH95]

Hi guys,
Our compressor isn't running when we enable to robot, below is everything I've noticed:

Light on the Spike stays orange when we enable the robot
Light on the sidecar turns on when we enable
PWM cable has been switched out many times, still doesn't work
20 amp breaker in spike and pd board, neither breaker trips when we enable
Compressor works when bypassing the spike
We've been running the same compressor code since St. Louis, it worked at a previous off season, so we are very certain it is not a code problem

We have an off season event this friday, so any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Dylan

Did you have the fuse (yellow automotive style fuse) in the spike replaced with a 20A snap-action circuit breaker (the ones that go in the Power Distribution Board)?

FIRST legal compressors generally will pull more than 20A briefly on startup, before settling down to a lower draw (which then gradually increases as you approach 120 PSI). As a result, if you leave the 20A fuse in there, it'll be fine and work initially... until the fuse eventually blows. The snap-action breakers have different operating characteristics, which allow them to work perfectly fine in this application.

Please note, Per R64, part E (2014 rulebook), the spike running the compressor is the only one that is allowed to use a snap-action breaker. All other ones must use the yellow fuse.

With the new control system, this is looking like it'll be easier as the compressor will be powered from the PCM instead of a spike.

I'm going to go ahead and say yes.