[asid61]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

Without getting into the big long analysis of how to (prevent) trip the main breaker, I wanted to address this from an inspection perspective. For at least the past few years, FIRST has provided a Motor Performance Data Sheet which contains information on most of the motors we're allowed to use, and probably all of the motors we're allowed that you would want providing locomotive power in your drive train.

Why should we measure output power when we can measure max motor power instead? Sum up the max power for each motor on the drive train and you're done. That leaves us with a practical upper limit on speed and power output in a drive train without getting into all of the specifics you mention. Further, with appropriate limits we can pass most teams without question quickly and easily. "4 CIMs on the drive train (like 75%+ of all teams)? You're good to go!" "4 CIMs, 2 mini-CIMs, and 2 775s? We'll have to do the math on that one..." And the best part... it doesn't require any special skills or knowledge from the inspectors in determining if it's legal - just some basic addition.

I agree. If motors were ever limited, I would want to do it by maximum power.