[quote=
3. Create a super capacitor based circuit to provide isolated power to whatever you connect to it:
Advantages:
A1. No effort to design additional power circuits required.
B1. Potentially complete isolation from the battery used to power the robot motors.
C1. You can provide power to whatever works within those limits increasing the target market.
D1. If a new version of a computing device ships you don't care as long as it needs the same power.
E1. Super capacitors do not contain as many nasty or volitile chemicals.
F1. Bleeding edge market opportunity.
Disadvantages:
A2. Don't know if FIRST is willing to approve something like this.
B2. Approval is a process that commits the maker to certain requirements.
C2. The cost of the super capacitors mean this will likely cost at least $15 but more likely closer to $25.
D2. Super capacitors generally will provide less run time then a battery for the same volume.
E2. Cannot be expanded with a mere pass transistor - besides it stores power not merely regulates the power.
F2. Bleeding edge markets might leave the seller bleeding.
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I think a capacitor bank is the best idea. It is easy to wire up as well. As far as the previously mention of legality goes, I'm pretty sure it is legal. I remember team 118 used some capacitors in one of their circuits on their 2012 robot. I forget what it's purpose was. It doesn't appear to me to be illegal, so I would recommend it.
As referred in C2, what do you mean by super capacitors? Why would these super capacitors cost $25? That is a lot of money for a capacitor. In Houston I can grab a handful of these guys (picture) for $5-10. That should be enough to stabilize the power input.
Like you said there are some drawbacks to having a capacitor bank, but the issues don't strike me as major ones.
