Quote:
Originally Posted by pilleya
In long distance power transmission, a transformer is used to increase voltage to crazy high amounts. This reduces the power-loss and means that a less thick wire is required.
Obviously no custom circuitry can generate voltages greater than 24 volts, but is there anything stopping a transformer being used to increase the voltage at the motor controller, to compensate for the voltage lost during transmission. As long as it decreased down to 12 volts at the motor, it would still be being fed by 12 volts thus one motor controller
"R44 CUSTOM CIRCUITS shall not directly alter the power pathways between the ROBOT battery, PDP, motor controllers, relays,
motors, or other elements of the ROBOT control system (items explicitly mentioned in R55). "
Does increasing voltage alter the power pathways?
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by 2015 Game Manual
R30 Any active electrical item not explicitly listed in R18 or R55 is considered a CUSTOM CIRCUIT. CUSTOM CIRCUITS may not produce voltages exceeding 24V.
|
R18 is the list of motors, so that assemblies including motors do not fall under the CUSTOM CIRCUIT rules. Motor controllers are required to be connected directly to the PDP. I am 99+% certain that the GDC would consider a switching power supply which steps up from ~9V to ~12V would constitute "directly altering the power pathway". (OBTW, a transformer cannot be used to step up DC voltage; that's why Tesla's AC power distribution system eventually won out over Edison's DC system.) Consider the exceptions named in the second sentence of R44:
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by 2015 Game Manual
R44, cont: Custom high impedance voltage monitoring or low impedance current monitoring circuitry connected to the ROBOT’S electrical system is acceptable, if the effect on the ROBOT outputs is inconsequential.
|
Stepping up the voltage is definitely consequential.