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Unread 04-01-2017, 08:33
Unsung FIRST Hero
Al Skierkiewicz Al Skierkiewicz is offline
Broadcast Eng/Chief Robot Inspector
AKA: Big Al WFFA 2005
FRC #0111 (WildStang)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Rookie Year: 1996
Location: Wheeling, IL
Posts: 10,763
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Re: Wiring LEDs into the control system/motor controllers

Walker,
Robot rules do not allow LEDs to be attached at the output of the speed controllers, sorry. There are other issues that actually make this impractical. The output polarity of the controller changes with direction which would require either two LEDs (one for each polarity) or a bridge rectifier (difficult to do correctly) to allow the LED to respond to either direction. The LEDs will not be visible during normal competition and as others have said, the brightness of the LED will vary depending on the output PWM duty cycle. However, if you are intent on knowing the output of each controller, robot rules have allowed for low impedance current monitoring for many years. Many of the controllers actually provide this info on the CAN buss when you use it. That feedback can be used to control LED drivers through software and legal hardware.
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Good Luck All. Learn something new, everyday!
Al
WB9UVJ
www.wildstang.org
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Storming the Tower since 1996.
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