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Unread 13-11-2015, 20:17
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GeeTwo GeeTwo is offline
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AKA: Gus Michel II
FRC #3946 (Tiger Robotics)
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Re: Pneumatics off board recharge packs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery View Post
My guess would be, since it's not controlled by the robot (once again, <R69>), and thus not limited by the pressure switch, they fill those tanks beyond 120psi. They probably use that final pressure regulator to ensure a 120psi fill into their on-board storage.
If it's not going to be used for competition, why not just get an A/C compressor that will charge much faster? Here is a 150 psi 6 gallon A/C compressor for under $130, much less than the components used for the the module shown. As I figure it, 6 gal of 150 psi air expands to about 7-1/4 gal of 120 psi air, so you can charge five quarts of on-board tank (that's eight of the largest plastic tanks currently on the AndyMark site) to 120 psi from a full charge of the on-board tank, no more electricity needed.

Addendum: After working with the air cannon for several years, I've come to realize that an FRC battery is a very inefficient way of getting compressed air (especially in terms of time, but also of electricity). Unless you have rules that specify that the air must come from a compressor powered by the robot's battery, there are several much better ways! On top of that, the regulator to get from 120 psi to 60 psi is inherently no more than 50% efficient when the tanks are full. Pneumatics are an elegant solution when you want to project a defined force, so I would be willing to put up with inefficiencies. Other than that, I'd try to find a way to use a motor more directly.
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Last edited by GeeTwo : 13-11-2015 at 20:34.