Re: Al's Annual Inspection Thread 2015
 

We usually don't follow wires for their entire length. It's important that we can tell the gauge of the wires, however, and ensure other rules are being met (for example, R42). So make sure we can see an inch or two of the wire on either end, that wire gauge marks are visible if we need to double check them (sometimes your eyes play tricks on you, and you need to read the markings to make sure it's legal).

Re: Al's Annual Inspection Thread 2015
 

The proper connection of certain wires will be important to verify: roboRIO, VRM, PCM, and bridge power; CAN from the roboRIO to the PDP; and a couple of other things specified by the rules. Aside from that, it's not the job of a Robot Inspector to verify that you have wired your robot so that it will work the way you want it to. They'll mostly be looking for correct colors and appropriate wire gauge.

Re: Al's Annual Inspection Thread 2015
 

If I can add my .02

We're aren't necessarily looking to make sure you wire your compenents correctly to make them work, that's your job, we need to see potential hazards, chafing points, etc...

Also, when mounting the radio, the best orientation is horizontal, due to antennae "radiating" out in a "dome." If you are mounting sideways or vertical , the "dome" will be facing one way, decreasing reception.

Sorry for the non technical terms, I"m a nuts and bolts guy. Al's the antennae guy.

Re: Al's Annual Inspection Thread 2015
 

Two words: Hot Glue!
We have never had a plug pop out or any kind of intermiitent failure

Re: Al's Annual Inspection Thread 2015
 

I thought hot glue was brought up by Al as illegal when it was discussed before the 2014 season.

Re: Al's Annual Inspection Thread 2015
 

We have always mounted our radio verticaly and have never had a connection problem but we have also always mounted it up high and unobstructed away from motors and other electronics.

Also a strip of gaffers tape keeps the connecton snug.

Re: Al's Annual Inspection Thread 2015
 

It's been addressed in the 2015 robot manual:

<R55> F. Fasteners (including adhesives) may be used to attach the device to the OPERATOR CONSOLE or ROBOT or to secure cables to the device.

Re: Al's Annual Inspection Thread 2015
 

My apologies I don't read the electrical rules as in depth as I do the mechanical/game rules.

Glad to see this change but of course it comes AFTER we leave the era of using the old style motor controllers with loose PWMs (at least for most teams).

Re: Al's Annual Inspection Thread 2015
 

That's the root of my question. Do we need to verify that the roboRIO, VRM, and PCM are plugged into the correct ports on the PDP? If so, then we need to be able to follow the entire wire, not just verify that a similar looking wire is plugged into the roboRio port of the PDP.

Re: Al's Annual Inspection Thread 2015
 

Hot glue is used by some teams but I really frown on it for a variety of reasons.
1. Unless the parts are near the melting temperature, the bond fails. I see that as giving a false sense of security. Others will surely write that they have had no problems, i bet I can pull more than 50% of those connectors out without difficulty.
2. Hot glue tends to migrate places you don't want it. That make the radio unrepairable for a failed power connector.
3. It is "ugly", that's all I have to say.

Others have stated what I would in response to seeing wires. However, we train our LRIs and RIs to see potential problems so that we can help you be more competitive. So while we are looking at for compliance, we are also seeing other issues. Help us help you.

Re: Al's Annual Inspection Thread 2015
 

Since we're just tossing around anecdotal evidence here, Team 1114 has used hot glue extensively over the years it was legal with no failures. It's a practice we recommend to all of our partners and teams we work with.

Re: Al's Annual Inspection Thread 2015
 

Due to the nature of how MIMO and multipath radios work, particularly with the geometry of the field (read: end walls), the orientation (vertical vs. horizontal) of the radio doesn't seem to matter too much (especially as the radios are almost constantly moving anyway).

What is important, as Dana suggested, is that the radio is mounted clear of metal or other 5 Ghz RF-opaque objects, which on most robots, is typically higher up. It's also possible that noise introduced by being in extreme proximity to motors may be a factor, however, keeping clear of large, plate-like structures of metal would be my #1 priority.

Re: Al's Annual Inspection Thread 2015
 

We've had a hard time locally sourcing 12AWG wire with sufficient flexibility (high strand count) for our application. We've found 12/3 SJOOW cord whose conductors are perfect if we remove the outer jacket. Unfortunately the outer jacket is the only place that carries the AWG markings. The rules specify AWG but don't explicitly require marking. I know it makes the inspector's life easier, though. Is there a reasonable alternative, such as having a sample of the full un-separated cord on hand during inspection, or are AWG markings on the wire as seen on the robot effectively a requirement?

Re: Al's Annual Inspection Thread 2015
 

Bring a sample of the wire.

Re: Al's Annual Inspection Thread 2015
 

It's not as rare as you may think to come across wire with no markings on it. I see it probably every year. Just keep in mind that it's the team's responsibility to prove to the inspector that the wire is the correct gauge. There are multiple ways to do this - have the original spool of wire available with clear markings on the spool itself. Have a same of the wire with the outer sheath you describe with clear markings on the branch. Have some wire strippers with fixed-sized, unmodified stripping locations (Something like this, for example), and show the correct gauge strips the wire correctly.

Just make sure you can show that the wire is the correct gauge!