Rotating Lights in the stands?
 

While waiting for some parts to be center drilled on the lathe, i came up with an idea. Is there any regulation against having flashing lights in the stands? I was thinking of using the old rotating lights mounted to a board and turn it on every time our team goes on the field. Good idea? Bad idea? Of course they'd be wired through the breaker panel, and then have a battery with the standard disconnect and circut breaker switch to turn it on/off.

Re: Rotating Lights in the stands?
 

Depends of the people around you would be comfortable with flashing lights going off in front of them or across the field from them.

Re: Rotating Lights in the stands?
 

Yeah, I would be pretty annoyed if there was a light in front of me. (especially because I thought I would never have to see a rotating light ever again in FIRST ;)).

And - its against the rules to have devices of any nature that provide any form of communication to the drivers/advisor/human player. As in - you couldn't turn it on and off whenever the robot was, for example, going out of bounds.

Re: Rotating Lights in the stands?
 

Remember section 10, yes, that evil section 10 of the rulebook. It bans noisemaker and stuff like that in the stands, so electric lights probably arnt allowed. If they are, you're certainly pushing the boudaries of the rules.

Re: Rotating Lights in the stands?
 

I think it would be okay. Actually I think it would be great.

Last year, team 34 had these awesome light up leds that formed a multi-color rocket, rocket city robotics. I would love to see a team do something like this for team spirit this year. You would need to be respectful but I can hardly see anyone getting annoyed for a light when your robot is entering the field.

I think it would be fun and show great spirit from the team. I don't see any problems barring whiny, complaining, annoyed people. The atmosphere at a FIRST competition doesn't need these people. These competition are about fun and engineering and I hope no one would try and ruin it by taking a great idea like this and seeing it as disgraceful and annoying.

Do it, but make sure you take both your blue and red light cover so you don't get on the wrong team. And don't sit infront of a webcast camera. Because those people can't choose just to set somewhere else and they will be angry.
Bring back the light.