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Unread 14-04-2014, 07:58
Unsung FIRST Hero
Al Skierkiewicz Al Skierkiewicz is offline
Broadcast Eng/Chief Robot Inspector
AKA: Big Al WFFA 2005
FRC #0111 (WildStang)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Rookie Year: 1996
Location: Wheeling, IL
Posts: 10,798
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Re: Team 2853 presents...their Book of Electrical

As Joe pointed out R64 allows the modification for a 20 amp circuit breaker for the use with compressor only. This is an exception rule so it won't be found with a standard search.
R64
The Driver Station software, cRIO, Power Distribution Board, Digital Sidecars, Analog Breakouts, Solenoid Breakouts,RSL, 120A breaker, motor controllers, relay modules, Wireless Bridge, 12VDC-5VDC converter, and batteries shall not be tampered with, modified, or adjusted in any way(tampering includes drilling, cutting, machining, gluing, rewiring,disassembling, etc.), with the following exceptions:
E. If powering the compressor, the fuse on a Spike H-Bridge Relay may be replaced with a 20A Snap-Action circuit breaker.

This is following a recommendation by VEX (dating back to 2002 or earlier) that for a KOP compressor only, the start current was high enough to blow the fuse but not damage the relay contacts. All other motors that have a stall current in excess of 20 amps will damage the contacts and internals of the Spike and obviously void the warranty. Breakers may not be used in place of the fuse on other FRC motors to prevent catastrophic failures.

I think it is also appropriate to point to the following highlighted rule. I receive at least one or more queries on this subject a week during build.

R35
The one ROBOT battery, Anderson Power Products (or APP) Connectors (p/n SB50), the one main 120-amp (120A)circuit breaker (Cooper Bussman P/N: CB185-120), and the one Power Distribution (PD) Board shall be connected as shown in Figure 4-11.
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Good Luck All. Learn something new, everyday!
Al
WB9UVJ
www.wildstang.org
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Storming the Tower since 1996.