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Unread 02-05-2006, 18:53
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Billfred Billfred is offline
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Re: IFI Control System (OI/RC) - The Future???

Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Rotolo
I assume a bunch of RJ-45 (8-pole CAT-5 style) connectors is what you mean, as a replacement for the PWM connections? They're quite a bit more expensive than those .025" square headers, and unsure how we'd use an 8 pole connector to replace some 3-pin connections (8/3=non-integer).
That is what I meant. You'd only use three of the pins off the wire (unless IFI starts using some built-in feedback like some folks keep raving about). The cables themselves are cheap--compare $20 for a four-pack of PWM cables from IFI with $10 for 10 at Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16812105302). (As a bonus, the students using them for sensors can whack them in half and get two for one.)

Granted, they cost more to IFI, but I'd imagine that switching to the RJ-45 connectors would cut down on repair calls because a PWM cable got yanked the wrong way and bent/tore off the pins. (Every time I disconnect those things, I cringe a little bit in fear.) If you keep the service calls down, it makes the teams happy (their RC stays problem-free) and probably makes IFI happy (as it frees up manpower, even if the teams are footing the bill for their services).

At least that's my take on it.
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William "Billfred" Leverette - Gamecock/Jessica Boucher victim/Marketing & Sales Specialist at AndyMark

2004-2006: FRC 1293 (D5 Robotics) - Student, Mentor, Coach
2007-2009: FRC 1618 (Capital Robotics) - Mentor, Coach
2009-2013: FRC 2815 (Los Pollos Locos) - Mentor, Coach - Palmetto '09, Peachtree '11, Palmetto '11, Palmetto '12
2010: FRC 1398 (Keenan Robo-Raiders) - Mentor - Palmetto '10
2014-2016: FRC 4901 (Garnet Squadron) - Co-Founder and Head Bot Coach - Orlando '14, SCRIW '16
2017-: FRC 5402 (Iron Kings) - Mentor

93 events (more than will fit in a ChiefDelphi signature), 13 seasons, over 60,000 miles, and still on a mission from Bob.

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