Re: 12V Power Supply Feeds My Robot
 

Why would you guys need a power supply of any kind to run the robot in the pits? I can see the use if you guys don't have many batteries available - then a power supply unit could be handy. But in my humble opinion, purchasing another battery might be a better use of resources.

The batteries available should provide sufficient power for both testing and field operations. Last year, team 30 had established an interesting rotation cycle on batteries, to determine which ones were charged and which ones weren't ready. This year, with freedom to use old batteries, we had far more power available. =)

By the way, these batteries seem to hold charge for tremendously long periods of time. I have a battery in my garage from FIRST which has not been charged since the 1999 season. It is still holding a lot of energy, enough to run a toaster for up to five minutes. Repeatedly.

Re: 12V Power Supply Feeds My Robot
 

There was a team that had a powered cart at GLR and another at Midwest. I have to admit, though, I am not a fan of powered devices in the pit or on the way to the playing field. There are justs too many bodies to have a powered device getting out of control in tight spaces. Although, dragging a cart up the ramps at last year's nationals was tough on the crew.

Re: 12V Power Supply Feeds My Robot
 

Yeah, I agree, safety would be a major concern. I'd have a kill switch and the mechanics of the cart would only allow it to go approximately 2fps. A safe enough speed for when you are walking down a crowded pit row.
The idea behind the powered cart comes from having to push our current cart over the plastic speed bump style cable covers. I don't want a lot of speed, but a huge amount of torque.