Re: Main Power Terminal Blocks?
 

Ah yes, thank you.

And that's what I thought. Poo, now I get to redesign the electronics box.

Re: Main Power Terminal Blocks?
 

The newly revised Tips and Guidelines is now available on the First website. As I was reviewing it, I found that the Guide shows what my belief for correct wiring of the negative lead blocks and 40 amp returns should be. Please review for your own electrical system design.

Looking for some wiring advice
 

I am wiring up our power panel with the RC controller, spikes, and victors and have a few questions:

1. What guage wire is recommended to tie the heavy duty fuse block to the victors? These have 40 A fuses so I am guessing (10 or 12 awg?)

2. What about the fan motors on the victors? I am assuming these are12v- where do most people connect the fans to for power, (fuse panel for always on or something else)?

3. I am using 14 AWG between the fuse block and the spikes, is this the correct guage to use for this?

4. I got one small bag of quick connect push on terminal with our kit but these don't seem to be enough. Is ther ea problem with using any push on lug or do they have to be from the same mfg. that provided the ones in the kit?

5. Does anyone have a recommendation of which RC module output should control which spike or victor based upn the default code?

Thanks in advance.

Re: Main Power Terminal Blocks?
 

I looked briefly at the blocks, and the center jumpers. I noticed that the center jumpers look a little bit like a fuse...although I found no mention in the AB documentation of current limits of the jumpers in my brief reading.

But I do like the power blocks, they make me feel better about offering some protection in case the small wires from the 120 amp breaker to the individual fuse panels accidently shorted. I noticed that the wiring on last years robot offered no protection for certain types of wiring problems, and I think the new distribution block could make it safer.

(I'm an ME, not an EE, so maybe someone could tell me if I'm on the right track?)

Re: Looking for some wiring advice
 

In the manual, Section 8 the Robot, Rules 87-98 will give you all the electrial specifics you are seeking.

In the default code from IFI, PWM01 is mapped to Joystick Port 1 X axis and PWM02 is mapped to Joystick Port 2 X axis. Typically they connect to the drive motor victors, but it's completely up tp you as to how you'ed like it to work

Re: Looking for some wiring advice
 

Here are my recommendations...
#10 for all motor wiring other than perhaps the Globe.
Attach the fan wires to the power input to the Victor. This way you will know if the Victor is receiving power.
Follow the wiring restrictions for wiring the Spike by what size breaker you are using.
Purchase additional push on connectors from Digikey. We use the non-insulated type since we solder all connections following crimping and then cover with heatshrink tubing.
If you take a close look at the default code, you will see that the Victor PWM outputs are mapped to certain joystick input, use the ones that are for the joystick port(s) you will use in your design, either single or dual joystick. The spike outputs are your choice except if you use the compressor which again you will have to investigate the default docs for info.

Re: Main Power Terminal Blocks?
 

Al--Do you have a recommendation for where to connect the return (black) wire from each of any additional high power Victors (driving CIMs)? The power distribution diagram does not seem to suggest where they would go.

Re: Main Power Terminal Blocks?
 

Thank you Al- that is great advice!

Re: Main Power Terminal Blocks?
 

Al-

We discovered that the blocks will take a #6 wire as well the other night. However if memory is correct a #6 wire will handle roughly 125amps. We did some research though and according to the Maxi block website the blocks are only rated for 85amps, meaning you should use only #8 wire. This is something that either a Q&A needs to be asked (Do we need to go through the Maxi block?) or teams will have to find out the hard way at their first regional (meaning the inspectors need to know).

-Mark

Re: Main Power Terminal Blocks?
 

Jim,
See my post above, the Tips and Guidelines has been revised on the First website. Use the DIN blocks to return the 40 amp branches to the negative lead.

40 AMP returns revisited
 

Al

I think the question WRT to the 40 AMP returns is that the diagram (in the power distribution diagram) shows only 3 40A returns. What if you are using 4 or more CIMs (4 2.5" and one 3")? Can the grounds be combined so that two motors share a ground terminal block or do we need to get more black blocks?

In the Guidelines 'corrected' diagram, they show only 2 40A returns, which makes it more confusing.


Deb

Re: Main Power Terminal Blocks?
 

My thinking is, I may be able to provide all service without the need for the ATC 12 or 6 breaker panels, so I need to ask, since I am uncertain.

Since we will need a 2nd Maxi-Block(total 2) because we need one more 40 AMP service(total 5) Can I use those 3 currently unused circuts on the 2nd MAXI-Block for lower amp services, for example the 20amp service for the RC, a 30amp service for a different motor on a victor, ect???

Would I also need more "Black" DIN blocks as well to now tie all those to ground?

Thanks!
Michael

Re: Main Power Terminal Blocks?
 

The DIN rail when fully assembled makes the whole block negative and the other side positive. So in effect you may connect wires to both sides for positive and or negative (see attached picture). Hope that helps

Re: Main Power Terminal Blocks?
 

So why is it in the rules that we must use these blocks?

if you look @ team 2200's wiring, i am now going to have to change it. Just so that i can run 2 power wires from the 120 amp breakers to the 2 Breaker Panels.

Do i have to use one for the negative side even tho i am just going from the battery to the one breaker panel?

- Bochek

Re: Main Power Terminal Blocks?
 

Does Anyone have the 1 – 199-DR1 din rail on hand so they could give me the slot dimensions? particularly how far apart they are