Quote:
Originally Posted by Oblarg
We're using a flex-head ratcheting wrench, i.e. just an ordinary ratcheting wrench except there's a pivot between the head and the handle. In order to lower the robot, we simply undo the velcro strap holding the wrench handle in a constrained position (i.e. between two bolts) and pivot it out of the way. The wrench rotates with the winch as it unspools.
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We tried this today. We climbed with 130lbs attached to our climber's production frame using production motors & gearing. Rope touch to Touchpad was about 4 seconds, so it wasn't a 'crash' into the top - but we did intentionally stall the motors at the top for a second or two. The ratchet wrench was held in place by one 1/4-20 bolt - the threaded end, no less. While under load we popped it loose with a large flathead screwdriver very easily. During further tests and refinement, we added a string to pop it out at the end of the tests. It also worked very well. We climbed about 30 times, and it worked every time. We'll put a 3/8" steel stud around that bolt in the future.