[ratdude747]

Originally Posted by Joe Johnson

Limiting the discussion just to Victor fans for the moment, the way I read the rules you don't have to have these fans attached to a speed controller at all, they just have to have been attached to speed controller that was in a FRC KOP in some year (i.e. they have to be Victor Fans).

The really attractive thing about this rule (IF I AM CORRECT about not having to use them for their original purpose) is that they can be used in unlimited numbers and they can be powered directly via a 20A breaker per Table 4-2 in R48. That is, you don't have to be able to turn them off when you are disabled. Turn on the main breaker and your fans go on.

The way I read this, you could make a hovercraft with hundreds of these guys if you wanted to as long as you powered them all via the 20A breaker.

Am I wrong?

Dr. Joe J.

Physics says no, since one fan (@ 12VDC) can't lift its own weight, any number together won't be able to lift their own weight, let alone the rest of the bot.

Rules wise, if you spliced it correctly and took care to avoid potential pinch points, it would *probably* be legal, although as propulsion devices, one might need to hook them to some sort of motor control (spike, victor, talon, etc.) to meet the intent of the rules (meaning the GDC would be likely to change the rules to bar such if one tried it).

(I know you were probably joking...)