1771's Jaguars
 

They're so cute :D

Re: 1771's Jaguars
 

Pic link is broken for me :/

Re: 1771's Jaguars
 

So did you guys buy the black jags?
what is gthe difference between the black ones and the gray ones?

Re: 1771's Jaguars
 

I believe you have to have one of the black jaguars to use CAN.

-RC

Re: 1771's Jaguars
 

We bought the black jaguars for 2 reasons.
1 You have to have a black jag to start the can bus.
2 we needed to buy 4 more jaguars this year and decided that for only 7 more dollars apiece we could have 4 jaguars that worked better, looked cooler, and could run a can bus.

If we break any of our gray jags this year we will be replacing them with black ones.

Here is the link in case you cant see the picture

http://picasaweb.google.com/nghs1771...11624392842818

Re: 1771's Jaguars
 

ahhhh....there's that pesky picture. When you use the img tags, you need to make sure your image link ends with .jpg, or else we might not be able to see it.

Re: 1771's Jaguars
 

I see. Thanks for the advice

Re: 1771's Jaguars
 

Interesting little connectors on the wires, what are those? They seem like they would be very helpful in keeping the control panel all nice and neat.

-Tanner

Re: 1771's Jaguars
 

They look like the power connectors commonly used on RC cars. Might also look into the smaller sizes of Anderson Powerpole connectors, they don't have the exposed contacts.

Re: 1771's Jaguars
 

I would not recommend using a connector such as that on both the input and output side of a Jaguar, or any speed controller. You add resistance and another point of failure. Run all wiring directly from the PD board to the Jaguar, then from the Jaguar directly to the motor. If the motor has built in leads, crimp on a quick connect there and only there. The only exception is if a large portion of your robot must be removable, then having mass quick-connects or a terminal block there would help. It isn't that hard to screw in a fork terminal, so having those connectors provides no advantage. If you plan on re-using the Jaguars from year to year, you can always unscrew the fork terminals and pull it out, it's not that hard.

It isn't clear to me if the Black jaguars are actually a better product, but after the problems last year my team is only buying Victors. We will use the Jaguars that come in the kit, but no more. All Jaguars can handle CAN, so having more than 1 Serial-CAN Black Jaguar isn't helpful. The do look nicer, but when they're buried in the chassis, do looks really count?

Re: 1771's Jaguars
 

The connectors in the picture are 'Deans Connectors'. They're used in RC cars. We used them all through last year and had no problems with them. Dean's Connectors are about 1/3 the size of the power pole connectors and have a higher current rating. IRC the Dean's Connectors were rated to 80A, whereas the power poles are rated to 30A.

Re: 1771's Jaguars
 

Those are Deans Ultra Plug Connectors http://www.wsdeans.com/

They offer a lower resistance and in turn are capable of handling higher current than most quick disconnects of their size, which is why many people in the competitive RC Model market use them. I've used them on 395 machines in the past without any problems.

Super clean setup, quick interchangeability if something needs to get replaced, higher current capability across the connector. Nice job!

*Sorry about the delayed post got distracted by a work call and Jon Jack beat me to the punch and did it better.

Re: 1771's Jaguars
 

I don't know for sure why the black jaguars are better, but our programming mentor said that they are. Something about handling 24 volts instead of 12.
Also, we have never had a jaguar fail.

We have had experience with powerpoles melting. We switched to the Deans connectors because a) we got them donated, b) they rely on solder instead of crimping, c) they handle higher current and offer lower resistance, and d) they are easier to work with

Re: 1771's Jaguars
 

I know Deans connectors are popular in the RC hobby, but I'm not a fan of them. Here's my reasons:

1 - As far as I know, they are not recognized as an industrial connector outside of the hobby market
2 - The require both a male and a female side
3 - The male side has exposed contacts, that can easily be shorted
4 - The attachment points for the wires provide no mechanical connection other than soldering, and are very close together. There is no housing, and thus, heat shrink, which can easily be punctured from a sharp solder blob, is all that's keeping you from a short.
5 - They cannot be combined into a larger connector block
6 - As far as I know, there is no positive locking mechanism. It is a friction fit.

As for current ratings, I speculate the Anderson PowerPole contacts can handle a lot more current than they are rated for.

I'm very interested to know what you did to melt a powerpole. On dozens I've installed, I have never had this happen, and never heard of it before.

Re: 1771's Jaguars
 

There are also Power Pole's rated for 45 amps, and larger Power Poles connectors for 50, 175, and 350 amps. We use some for our robot batteries. (the 50 amp kind, actually) We have also used simple quick-connects in many places and screw-terminal blocks when a large number of connections are necessary, without any problems. There are power poles to handle more then 30 amps.