Re: Power of Victor Brake
 

Hmm. Well, I guess we'll just have to set her to coast and see how she does...

Re: Power of Victor Brake
 

A rule prohibiting what exactly? Costing onto the ramp or switching between coast and brake with a custom circuit?

Re: Power of Victor Brake
 

<R70>Digital outputs of the Robot Controller may be connected directly to brake/coast headers on the speed
controllers to permits programmable control of this speed controller function. The brake/coast header on the
speed controller may NOT be connected to any other circuit or input.

Re: Power of Victor Brake
 

Wait a sec, that allows controlling the brake/coast as long as you use digital outputs. You just cant use a custom circuit. So, this is awesome, we can do it this way.
All you need to do is map a switch to two digital outputs to control whether you brake or coast. Cool....

Re: Power of Victor Brake
 

Oh my. I must be tired. I could have sworn I read "may not" Thanks for catching my goof. Looks like I get my brakes afterall. :)

Re: Power of Victor Brake
 

First off it's brake. It will not keep your robot on a slope when disabled unless you also have an anti backdrive mechanism on the drivetrain. The field is generally allowed a few seconds to "come to rest". If your robot moves during that time and eventually touches the floor, you will not be counted as being on the ramp. (based on previous years decisions) This year, you are allowed to switch between brake and coast using digital outputs from the RC. See IFI documentation in the FAQ at http://www.ifirobotics.com/forum/vie...cd49fc ba7ec5
You can also switch with a microswitch and a servo if you feel more comfortable with that.
As to using the brake on a drive train, I highly recommend against that. In most cases, the speed of a moving robot will generally tip the robot when the brake cuts in. The faster the robot is moving the more braking takes place. (see my previous discussion) Using brake on a turret this year might be a good place to use the brake function. It will not lock such a device in place but it will limit it's reaction to a ball shooter.

Re: Power of Victor Brake
 

I don't think <R70> permits that scheme this year. I would have to count a switch as a "circuit or input".

Re: Power of Victor Brake
 

Alan,
<R70> Digital outputs of the Robot Controller may be connected directly to brake/coast headers on the speed controllers to permits programmable control of this speed controller function. The brake/coast header on the speed controller may NOT be connected to any other circuit or input.

You may be right, but I read that as the brake may not be connected to custom circuits either as an input or output and it may not be connected to a Spike.