Quote:
Originally Posted by CMBrandon
We are currently in talks with FIRST to get some of our items in the Kit Of Parts. So... what would you like to see from Cooler Master in the KOP? We make all kinds of fun stuff so if there is something you think would be beneficial to have during the build season let me know!
http://www.coolermaster.com/ |
The biggest thing would be 12V fans. FIRST's rules on fans have historically been pretty restrictive (see
R29), and take nothing away from ebmpapst but their products are both expensive, small, and hard to find. I appreciate that no fan is going to make much difference on a CIM motor during the match, but if I can install them legally on the robot I can have them working in the pits while the programmers do their thing. From my time racing R/C cars, I know that kind of downtime with a fan blowing on a small-can motor does make a difference.
The most common FRC motors, if this helps you size your fans:
http://www.andymark.com/Motor-p/am-0255.htm (99.99999% of robots use CIMs)
http://www.andymark.com/Gearmotor-p/am-2971.htm (very close in size to the 775pro below)
http://www.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/mo.../217-3371.html (same mounting interface and diameter as the CIMs, just shorter)
http://www.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/mo...onics/bagmotor (been popular for small manipulators, but kinda took a backseat to the 775pro this year)
http://www.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/mo...tronics/775pro (probably the biggest heat-giver-offer other than CIMs, popular for the power)
Noise levels are irrelevant to this application--the crowd and music will be louder. Basic black fans are totally plenty for me, but if you donate fans to the kit you'll make a lot of people happy (and surely sell some product too) by asking FIRST to legalize the LED versions as well.
Hope this helps!
Edit: I should add that a good 12V bench top power supply has been great for our team this year. Doesn't have to power the whole robot, just supply enough to run some small motors and the robot electronics. I'll have to ask my programming lead what his was rated for.