Possible 40amp loads
 

Yesterday I recieved a the new wiring diagrams of the new controller system, to my surprise there are 8 40 amp breaker slots. As Newton once said Nature does nothing in vain, and neather do FIRST organizers. So the question comes down to will we use all of these 40 amp loads this year, and for what, or in the future, and then for what?

Re: Possible 40amp loads
 

4 CIM and 2 FP motors gets you to 6 very quickly.

I don't have any idea if we will be getting more motors this year or next, but it makes sense for them to have designed a board that has the possibility of allowing more high current circuits in the future, rather than have to turn around and re-design it in a year or two.

Re: Possible 40amp loads
 

If the Mini-bike motors are ever brought back, there is another 2 40A gone.

Re: Possible 40amp loads
 

I was just about to say that!

It would be really easy for the GDC KOP engineers to sneak another motor or two in that use 40 Amp breakers, provided they could get their hands on one. Think of it as future growth space.

Re: Possible 40amp loads
 

It is more then likely true that they (FIRST org. people) gave us the multiple breakers for good use int eh future, the NI people at Atlanta mentioned that the controller shouldn't have to be replace for several years.
Most likely other items will be, the d-block has a 120 amp breaker between it and the battery, so most likely there won't be a ton of 40 amp drain this year. But in the future, i think we will get bigger batteries.

Re: Possible 40amp loads
 

Please remember that the 120 amp circuit breaker can withstand a 600% over load for several seconds without tripping. Although the battery is capable of 600 amps for a short period of time, it is wise to design for well below that current. The excess capacity is used during the stalled motor condition which takes place anytime the motor is not moving but power is applied. (i.e. starting)
Also keep in mind that the breaker protects the wire not the load. A 40 amp breaker is needed to protect #10 or #12 wire (or larger). A larger capacity battery in the same physical size would be nice but I would not expect a huge increase. Maybe move from 18 AH to a 19 or 20 AH.