Is there a specific purpose for the fans included in the KOP?

[Damaku250]

I was wondering if there was a specific purpose for the 2 large and 6 mini fans included in the KOP.
The mini ones look like they can just be hooked in parallel, and the bigger ones almost look like they can connect to a PWM port, but the positive and negative wires are reversed.

Are any other teams using these, and if so what for?

I thought it might be possible to hook these to a spike to cool off the compressor or motors that would be prone to overheating, but that's not really necessary/effective is it?

[EricH]

The purpose is to cool components that you think need cooling. Unless, of course, you can come up with some creative method of using them to move air for other purposes.

It might be more necessary than you might think. I know 330 used some on their 2003 robot to cool the drill motors used in the drive, but not on their 2004 robot, even though the same motors were used in the same place. (They just weren't used all that much in the matches...)

[Damaku250]

If we plan to use an FP with an AM planetary to run a roller, would it be a good idea to have something cooling the motor? Should we then connect the fans by PWM, Spike, or just straight to the PDB with a switch somewhere on the robot?

[EricH]

The FP has a built-in fan; make sure that you don't block the slots. If you'd like another fan, nothing's stopping you.

As for how to connect the fans, see the wiring and controls rules (and I think there's a Q&A on the topic somewhere too).

[MrForbes]

the FP motor has a little fan in it, be sure the vent holes at the gear end of the motor are open. As long as it does not get stalled it should be fine

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Craig,
The large fan has a three pin connector that is not a PWM connector. Some fans are provided with a feedback/tach output. Some are provided with a rotation fail output. These outputs are provided so that they may be used in specific designs for cooling. I would suggest you do a search on the part number and check out the data sheets. They are pretty cool to read through and gain some additional knowledge.
Some teams who completely enclose their electronics, use these fans to force cool the enclosure.