Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Aidan F. Browne
Al --
Please read the whole rule. The intent is that the connector provided in the kit is the connector that must be used. This is not an error.
"<R20> The 12v battery must be wired directly to a quick connect / disconnect connector (provided in the kit)"
|
Aidan,
I must disagree. The wording is not very clear but implying that the word "a" is meant to identify one half of a connector is a stretch. The phrase in parenthesis implies a suitable connector is included other wise it would read without parents. Although the wording of this rule has changed from last year, it's implication for veteran teams is that equivalent or better substitutes are allowable. I know that I read in the Q&A recently, a similar question was answered that FIRST recommended using the supplied connector and if a team used something different they risked incompatability with other teams should the need to share batteries arise. That question appears to have been removed from the Q&A as I was not able to find it this afternoon. Realistically, today's answer seems oddly worded in that the question seemed related to the connectors popping apart not replacing a kit part with something better.
I agree and it has been my stated opinion that the Anderson Power Products connectors work fine for most teams. There are teams that draw excessive amounts of current during match play that would result in heating, and fire using the 50 amp connector. A rule of thumb is any team that uses most or all of the motors including both drills combined with both Chips and/or both FP's will draw more current than the supplied connector can handle. You and I both know that the stall current on any one of these motors is over 100 amps.