Lights On Compact Rio?
 

Are there lights on the Crio that have to be visible from a certain distance. Last year you had to be able to see certain lights on th RC.

Re: Lights On Compact Rio?
 

I'm going to "teach you to fish" by giving you the standard "please read the rules" comment. Read Section 8 Robot Rules (link below) and get your own answer. It should be obvious.

http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles...%20Rev%20E.pdf

Sorry for being harsh but all teams really need to be familiar with the game and robot rules. The robot inspectors will be very appreciative of teams that go through the rules and inspection checklist to ensure compliance BEFORE shipping your robot.

You'll need to re-read Section 8 every year since changes do occur.

Russ

Re: Lights On Compact Rio?
 

In addition to reading the rules, a quick search of this forum will often turn up answers faster than waiting for a new response. I was able to find this thread, which is relevant to your interests:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=72392

Re: Lights On Compact Rio?
 

My team mates did and said they didn't see anything about it. So, I thought I'd just double check. :)

Re: Lights On Compact Rio?
 

Sorry, I didn't really think about searching for it.

Re: Lights On Compact Rio?
 

excel,
You will find that you will need to see the LEDs on Crio as much as the inspection team and the field controls people. It will be neccessary for these people to see the LEDs in the event of a problem to help you diagnose the problem and a variety of other functions. See p14&15 of the linked document that Russ has provided. If any of the volunteers has a hard time seeing any indicator on your robot, it will make it difficult or near impossible to help you troubleshoot and you may be asked to move it. All indicators are there for your convenience so put them where they can be seen.
The robot signal light has a specification in R58...
<R58>
ROBOTS shall use the diagnostic Robot Signal Light provided in the Kit Of Parts. It must be mounted on the ROBOT such that it is easily visible while standing three feet in front of the ROBOT in the STARTING CONFIGURATION. The Robot Signal Light must be connected to the “RSL” supply terminals on the Digital Sidecar, which provides power and control for the light. The team has no direct control over the light and no programming is required.

Russ also provided this document in a different thread. It is an explanation of the RSL codes...
http://decibel.ni.com/content/docs/DOC-3120

Re: Lights On Compact Rio?
 

Ok, Thanks for that info.

Re: Lights On Compact Rio?
 

I'd like to reiterate Al's comments - just because the rules don't require that the cRIO LEDs be clearly visible, it is BY FAR in your best interest to make sure that they're visible.

I like to think that there are RULES (for safety and fairness) and there are RECOMMENDATIONS (for better performance). Visibility of blinky lights is strongly RECOMMENDED. RSL visibility, on the other hand, is a rule since it can impact field personnel safety if not clearly visible.

Russ

Re: Lights On Compact Rio?
 

On the other hand, if someone asks you to rearrange your robot simply because they want to be able to see cRIO lights in addition to the easily visible cRIO light, don't feel shy about refusing to do something not required by the rules. Especially if it's not actually causing you or anyone else a problem.

Re: Lights On Compact Rio?
 

Let me get this straight. There is NOT a rule that says the lights on the compact rio must be visible. There is however a LED light that must be mounted so that it is clearly visible from the front of the robot. Correct?

Re: Lights On Compact Rio?
 

Yes - the Panel Signal Device from the KoP (look it up on the checklist, it's also referred to as the RSL or Robot Signal Light) must be connected to either DSC's RSL port.

Russ

Re: Lights On Compact Rio?
 

Ok, thanks. I saw that in the rules, but it doesn't say anything about the visibility of LED lights on the crio, correct?

Re: Lights On Compact Rio?
 

There is no specific rule about being able to see the Crio LEDs from outside the robot, yet. However, no one would hide them. They are there for your convenience. If you have to plug into the Crio for programming and the LEDs are right next to the connectors, I don't see how you could mount the Crio so that the LEDs weren't visible.

Re: Lights On Compact Rio?
 

Thanks for the reply. The crio is accessible, but there is a part over it that makes it not visible, but the part is easily removable for access to the crio.