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Unread 02-02-2004, 07:43
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: 10,798
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Re: smoking drill motors?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cory
Are you sure Al? I know we desoldered the 16 gauge wires and replaced them with 10 gauge ones. I know a lot of other teams did as well. I find it hard to believe that inspectors would have overlooked this, as it is quite obvious.

Cory
Cory et al.,
As others have already posted, FIRST has come out with a rule against replacing the wires on drill motors. Now don't get too excited about this rule, it is the same as last year. The wires, although smaller guage are very short, so the resistance is negligible and the wire has 200 C insulation, so there is no worry about melting or fire. There were significant quality control issues last year with the way the wires were soldered at the factory. You need to check that the solder job is done correctly. If you need to make repairs, I suggest you remove the brush assy. by gently lifting the retaing tang and slipping the brush assy. out of the motor. A magnifier might help here as the tang is very tiny. An additional suggestion if you must make a repair is to clean the original solder from the contact, pass the wire through the hole and crimp it back against itself. This make a firm mechanical connection prior to soldering. Heat the connection and flow in enough solder to make a good connection on both sides of the contact. Let cool and reassemble into the motor being careful to align the brush assy. in the slots and gently push until the retaining tang locks into place. If you choose to solder #10 wire to the end of the #16 then be sure to heatsink the #16 so that the heat will not unsolder the wire from the brush assy or cause heat damage to the plastic brush retainer.
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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.