Robot Weight Limit: Rule Conflict

[Specialagentjim]

Okay, I think I found another one:

Section 5.3.2.2
<R08> The maximum allowed weight of all robot configuration mechanisms combined, not including an Exide battery and its associated half of the Anderson cable quick connect/disconnect pair is 120 pounds (54.43 kg). At the time of weigh in, the basic robot structure and all elements of all additional mechanisms that might be used in different configurations of the robot must be weighed together. Included in the weight limit is the control system, back-up 7.2V battery, decorations, bumpers, and any other attached parts, but not the Exide ES18-12 battery and its associated half of the Anderson connection pair (including no more than 12 inches of cable per leg, the associated cable lugs, connecting bolts, and insulating electrical tape)



Section 1.2.1 of the Guidelines_C.pdf file states:
1. Remember; Thy Robot Weight Limit- All of the elements of the robot such as the drive system, frame, battery & electrical system, pneumatics, and other mechanisms share a portion of the overall total weight. The robot weight limit is 130 pounds. Set a weight budget for each element or segment such as 25% drive train, electrical 15%, etc. Stay within the budget throughout the build cycle. At the end of the project you might have some excess weight to spend to enhance a robot system or two as needed rather than a panic weight reduction project.

The 120 lbs has been stressed much more and appears in the Official rules as opposed to the guidelines, So I'm assuming its 120lbs. Agree/Disagree?

[Covey41]

120 lbs.

[IMDWalrus]

How much does the battery weigh on its own?

I don't think it quite hits the ten pound mark, but that might explain the 130 pound limit in the other guide seeing as it makes no mention of that weight limit being taken without the battery in the robot.

Still, follow the 120 pounds without battery rule. That's the correct one, as far as I know.

[Red Dragon]

Well the batteries (ES18-12) each weigh approx 6.1 KG or about 13.4 lbs

http://www2.usfirst.org/2004comp/Specs/Exide.pdf

[Cory]

It's 120 lbs... they most likely forgot to change the wording of last years manual...

[Alex Cormier]

what i have been told by one of my mentors si that they wrote those guidelines and such and presented those at the 2004 nats, so the weight ont he guidelines is outdated.

[Zanella BR]

It's better to trust the rules, the guidelines, as its own name says, are only guidelinas :p

[Dillon Compton]

The 130lb guideline is a throwback from previous years. Starting in 2005, FIRST updated it's rules to include a 120lb weight limit without the battery. Prior to the 2005 season, the rule was 130lbs with battery. The change occured for various reasons, some of which are listed below:

-Variance in battery weight: while small differences are usually all that occur, weight variance of up to 1lb have been reported!

-Cheating: On occaision teams that will remain un-named would take an empty battery case, weigh their robot with that battery that weighed almost nothing, and then replace it with the full 13lb battery later. Unfortunately GP is not always followed by everyone.

-Safety: In our teams rookie year there was an instance of a team trying to drill speedholes in their battery to cut weight: this ended up with two very badly burned team members and a horrible situation. The removal of the battery from the weight limit prevents this sort of situation from happening.


I hope that answered your question!

~Dillon~

[Clark Gilbert]

...
I hope that answered your question!

~Dillon~

After 7 months I sure hope he found an answer already.

[Gdeaver]

This was addressed in the Q and A. forum.

[Ryan M.]

This was addressed in the Q and A. forum.And many months ago. ;)

Come on... let the thread die.

/me ducks because he didn't follow his own advice.