[JamesCH95]

Originally Posted by DarkRune

Hi guys,
Our compressor isn't running when we enable to robot, below is everything I've noticed:

Light on the Spike stays orange when we enable the robot
Light on the sidecar turns on when we enable
PWM cable has been switched out many times, still doesn't work
20 amp breaker in spike and pd board, neither breaker trips when we enable
Compressor works when bypassing the spike
We've been running the same compressor code since St. Louis, it worked at a previous off season, so we are very certain it is not a code problem

We have an off season event this friday, so any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Dylan

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

Did you have the fuse (yellow automotive style fuse) in the spike replaced with a 20A snap-action circuit breaker (the ones that go in the Power Distribution Board)?

FIRST legal compressors generally will pull more than 20A briefly on startup, before settling down to a lower draw (which then gradually increases as you approach 120 PSI). As a result, if you leave the 20A fuse in there, it'll be fine and work initially... until the fuse eventually blows. The snap-action breakers have different operating characteristics, which allow them to work perfectly fine in this application.

Please note, Per R64, part E (2014 rulebook), the spike running the compressor is the only one that is allowed to use a snap-action breaker. All other ones must use the yellow fuse.

With the new control system, this is looking like it'll be easier as the compressor will be powered from the PCM instead of a spike.

I'm going to go ahead and say yes.