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Unread 14-09-2014, 20:35
Aren Siekmeier's Avatar
Aren Siekmeier Aren Siekmeier is offline
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FRC #2175 (The Fighting Calculators)
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Re: 2015 Beta Testing - The Components are Here.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark McLeod View Post
You should know better about asking for the rules before kickoff...
So multiples may or may not be allowed. Beta teams aren't on the GDC, we're just trying to break things.
But hopefully the rulemakers are reading these threads and listening to their beta testers. I was just asking if there's been any discussion of power alternatives for the radio/VRM/PCM.

Quote:
Personally, my team won't get additional PCM/VRM to test until December at the earliest, but we will test them when we are able.
We're doing our power extreme tests now, but haven't put max loads on the VRM/PCM yet.

No published power draw specs on the VRM/PCM components yet, but the math looks good and there doesn't appear to be any great risk of being constrained by the 20a PDP fuse, even if some strange game rule wiring scheme allows split wiring.
  • numbers
So,
240w = (45w+135w)baseline + a second VRM (45w) + a second PCM (9w) leaving breathing room.

I would recommend that 16 gauge wire be used if you start doubling up components for any non-FRC usage.
Thanks for the numbers, that does make me more comfortable. It may be better to talk about current than power, since the power will depend on both current draw and Vbat (and power to start the compressor will depend on a lot of things including those, etc.). The fuse is sensitive to current only, and presumably the protection features in the PCM and the VRM are as well.

Not sure what stage you're at in the test right now, but I think many people would be interested in data regarding compressor current draw vs. time and pressure, if you can fit it in. EDIT: I should clarify: since this will depend a lot on the exact compressor model, maybe compare it to the current draw when running off a spike using pre-2015 control logic (hard starts), so we can see how the PCM manages the current draw.

Last edited by Aren Siekmeier : 14-09-2014 at 20:37.
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