Originally Posted by Batterink (Post 1452010)

We have none clippard white tanks. They were legal last year. Are all white tanks now disallowed?, or still just the clippard white tanks?

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz (Post 1452073)

The correct operation is to vent at 125 psi or above. This part has a repeatability of +/- at least 2 psi. A good indication is a wet finger on top of the valve. Venting will cause some bubbles.

Originally Posted by Batterink (Post 1452046)

We had it connected via can. (I was told by the electrical person that it was correctly and securely connected) Hopefully it was just a bad connections or wire. However, is it possible that the pdp can is broken, but the pdp is still functional?

Originally Posted by Caleb Sykes (Post 1452086)

Calibrating the relief valve in this way means that the pressure on the stored side could exceed 125psi if the pressure switch were to fail. Should it concern us that many pneumatic components like the kit tubing are only rated for 125psi?

My understanding of the relief valve was that it would provide a safeguard if the pressure switch were to fail. Calibrating it as you described means that it is not protecting the components rated for 125psi.

Originally Posted by Bryce Paputa (Post 1452152)

I know that we need to ask q&a, but do all parts of our robot have be connected to each other after we place it on the field and at the start of the match?

Originally Posted by Bryce Paputa (Post 1452152)

I know that we need to ask q&a, but do all parts of our robot have be connected to each other after we place it on the field and at the start of the match?

Originally Posted by Batterink (Post 1452046)

...is it possible that the pdp can is broken, but the pdp is still functional?

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson (Post 1452269)

Yes, if you define "functional" to mean that it distributes power to the branch circuits. The color of the two LEDs on the PDP will help tell you if it is functioning the rest of the way. Blinking red means no CAN communication. Blinking yellow means disabled. Off means it's probably broken.

Originally Posted by scca229 (Post 1452395)

Off-Topic but leads into the above:

What I want to know is how in the heck do I clear a blinking orange from a previous brown-out? I can find that it is a "sticky" condition but no clear instructions/how-to on how to clear it. I've seen something that says go into the CAN page for the PDP can continuously refresh it and it magically clears...no dice when I tried it.

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz (Post 1443882)

I checked on this when that compressor became an option a few years ago. The manufacturer requires it as it supplies a cooling path for the hot air. On that compressor only, as it is required by the manufacturer, the hose is considered part of the compressor and must be attached. As a note, I have only seen one in inspection.

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz (Post 1451990)

WoW! I go on vacation for a few days to Duluth and the thread goes wild. So first to a few answers,
Jon, We don't have as much storage as we used to and do have stuff that goes most of the way back. We're resourceful and nostalgic. (OK so I am)
Shorting out the pressure switch is the prescribed method for checking the over pressure valve as described by FIRST staff and that method has been used since the manufacturer stopped supplying the valve pre-calibrated. A good team member or inspector will check that the valve vents above 125 psi after calibration and tightening of the lock ring. It is not calibrated if it vents below 125 psi.
Shorting out the pressure switch, attaching another compressor or bypassing the robot control system to charge the pneumatic system in queue or on the field has never been legal. Do not listen to the team that tells you it is. There are considerable penalties in the rules (game, robot and tournament).

Now on to a few items that were issues during week one.
Latest, greatest firmware.
The most recent version of the Inspection Checklist has a great list of the all the firmware required for this week of competition. If and when that changes, the Checklist will be updated. Go to the appropriate website now and download the firmware versions for the PDP, PCM, RoboRio, Jag and Talon, and driver station. Bring those with you so you can load them prior to inspection. The version numbers are displayed on the Dashboard diagnostic tab.

Software Versions – Software/firmware for devices is at or above listed versions (As of March 2, 2015)
Driver Station &ndash; 08021500 or newer <R80> (Note the version number is a date in the format of, DD/MM/YY00)
roboRIO &ndash; v23 and 2.1.0f3 <R45>
Talon SRX &ndash; v.28 for PWM, v1.01 for CAN <R41, R59>
Jaguars &ndash; v109 <R59>
PCM &ndash; v1.62 <R60>
PDP &ndash; v1.37 <R61>

Team Numbers,
Must be 3.5 inches high or greater, 1/2" stroke or greater and must be black on white background with 1" (white) border all the way around. Nearly half of all robots at Duluth needed number adjustments.

We saw some teams show up with old, white pneumatic storage tanks. While the manufacturer was giving free exchange for tanks last year, that is no longer taking place. You will be required to replace any old tanks prior to competing.

Originally Posted by Sperkowsky (Post 1452548)

I was checking our robot for final problems and noticed the white background extends only 3/4 of an inch at some points. If I velcro a peice of a larger foam sheet behind it will it count as part of the 1 inch.

Originally Posted by EricH (Post 1452576)

Most likely, I would say so. The key is that the numbers need 1" of white space around them, and there are no specific requirements that the 1" all be on the same plane as the numbers.



Just so Al doesn't have to:

If you are making modifications, make SURE to get reinspected! (Except as allowed by T10 A-F). No matter how minor the modification, if it isn't an allowed exception, re-inspect. And if a ref asks you if you got reinspected after a modification--be honest, it makes life easier on everybody.

Originally Posted by Sperkowsky (Post 1452599)

I plan on bringing the foam precut with the rest of the modification stuff. It would be a matter of about 2 minutes to put on so I'd do it before we got inspected.