eelectrical board minimum size
 

rookie here! is 17 by 19.5 inches enough space for the electrical board?? this includes 4 speed controllers router crio digital sidecar pd board. battery can be vertical. we have a 45 degree roof so at the tallest side our board has 10 inches of height

thanks so much!!

Re: eelectrical board minimum size
 

Allow me to make a suggestion:

Make a paper cutout of the base of every component. Move them around on the board to try to fit them all. It's like a puzzle. If you can't find room for everything, then figure out where else on the robot some items can go (like the router or some of the Jags).

Re: eelectrical board minimum size
 

thanks thats really helpful im trying that now. that doesnt take the height into account though. do you think its realistic?

Re: eelectrical board minimum size
 

Remember that electrons don't pay much attention to physical orientation. So you can mount your components sideways or even upside down if needed. But make sure the lights on your radio (bridge) are visible from 3 ft away and that your robot signal light is clearly visible. Your field crew will thank you.

ChrisH

Re: eelectrical board minimum size
 

You also don't need to put all of the components on a single board. Sometimes it makes more sense to distribute the speed controllers, or put compressor relay near compressor, etc.

Re: eelectrical board minimum size
 

Also note that even though you can put those pieces of paper right next to each other, the wires need room to go in and out too, bigger wires need more room. Also make sure someone can replace wires because that may be necessary during competition.

Re: eelectrical board minimum size
 

wow thanks everything here was really useful. I think ill do 2 shelves with the battery on the bottom and everything else on top

Re: eelectrical board minimum size
 

Make sure you make the battery and the main breaker easily accessible.

Re: eelectrical board minimum size
 

Definetly be sure of these. You'll be frequently removing and replacing batteries between matches to have your robot perform at it's peak, and you need to have easy access to the off switch in case something goes wrong.

Re: eelectrical board minimum size
 

Also make sure that you mount the battery securely on a strong surface; last year we had it being secured by particle board, not a good idea unless you want to drag your battery.:ahh:

Re: eelectrical board minimum size
 

Remember that you'll be replacing the battery after every match, so make sure you can do that without great effort. After all, you'll be the one doing it :rolleyes:

Re: eelectrical board minimum size
 

Yeah, don't rely on your electronics board to support your battery unless you use some thick plywood (1/2'') or something. Our battery broke through our 1/4'' plastic board at the finals at our district competition. Had to brace it with a water bottle, rope, and some carefully placed zip ties. :D It's also nice to have identical components oriented in the same manner (like the power input on jags all facing the power distribution board, etc.) The less spaghetti,
the easier it is to find problems. :)

Re: eelectrical board minimum size
 

Jess,
You can bend the terminals at right angles to allow wiring to rise straight up from the sides of your speed controllers. This might help getting you r electronics to fit. However, controllers do not need to be grouped together. They can just as easily be placed near the motors they are controlling. The wiring distance is the same. In the case of motors with supplied wires, i.e. the CIMs, place the speed controllers close enough to the motors that you can attache the CIM wires directly to the speed controller. This gives you less connections to add resistance of fail.