pic: Team 830's electronic box
 

Re: pic: Team 830's electronic box
 

whats the custom circuitry for?

Re: pic: Team 830's electronic box
 

They are a simple circuit that takes an off the shelf encoder pulse output and converts it to a voltage.

This "plug and play" electronics box allows us to remove the entire electronics package by unplugging a few connectors and pulling it out of our bot. We then can plug it into our diagnostic board which has a similiar set up of motors and sensors as out robot so we can debug our programming away from the chaos of the pit area. It also allows us to keep the delicate electronics away from any machining we are doing to the chassis between rounds.

The picture shown is actually our prototype electronics box. Here is the final one (yes...that is last years controller...it's just a place holder):

Re: pic: Team 830's electronic box
 

wow that looks so nice that I totally hate you! :c) We managed to get all our electonics on a single panel that we can slide out of our extrusion-alum-kit frame, but we still have to disconnect all the motors and sensors from the victors and spikes and the RC first. You have completly outdone us.

what did you use for power connectors to the motors?

Re: pic: Team 830's electronic box
 

Anderson Power Products, the same company that makes the red connectors for the batteries, makes nice 40 amp connectors.

Thanks for the compliments.

Re: pic: Team 830's electronic box
 

Excellent job. Wow. That definitely is a quintessential "plug and play" robot control system.

Re: pic: Team 830's electronic box
 

I like the fact you moved all the controller ports to one central location. Making up those short cables was a good idea.

Re: pic: Team 830's electronic box
 

*picks up jaw from floor* And I thought we had a good electronics package. Wow. I love the modular idea....Are all of you conenctions soldered or crimped?

-Bill

Re: pic: Team 830's electronic box
 

Some of the connectors required solder, some crimp...so about 50/50...

Thanks for the compliments.

Re: pic: Team 830's electronic box
 

Simply...WOW!!!
Would ove to see it up close.

Re: pic: Team 830's electronic box
 

Very nice clean design. Great idea. My only concern would be, in which orientation is it mounted? If the RC is facing down, you may run into problems at competitions. The field control people like to be able to see that you have radio communication. Other than that, great job. This should make your life in the pits a little less hectic

Re: pic: Team 830's electronic box
 

Are you guys (Wildstang) going to be at the Great Lakes Regional? If so, we'll see you there.

The control box actually mounts in a vertical orientation with all the connections at the top.

Re: pic: Team 830's electronic box
 

Yes, we'll be there, as well as the Midwest Regional and the Championship. See you there!

Re: pic: Team 830's electronic box
 

Sounds good. Can't wait to take a look at it

Re: pic: Team 830's electronic box
 

it's...sniffle...beautiful...