From the 2006 controller docs (the 2007 kit still uses the 2006 controller):
Quote:
The +12V and GND connectors on the Robot Controller are intended to accept power from a +12V
battery. The current draw for the Robot Controller is typically between 0.75A to 1.5A. The maximum
voltage allowable is +15.0V. Exceeding the +15.0V limit may damage internal voltage regulators and
will void the warranty. The minimum required voltage to maintain radio link is +7.0V.
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On the controller board website:
Quote:
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The total combined current supplied from all 16 Analog and 18 Digital +5V Power header pins is 1 Amp. The 1 Amp max can come from a single +5V Power pin.
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So basically the controller board probably won't be able to power any drive or arm motor without some external power.
The backup battery (or at least last year's, I'm not sure if the new one is different other than being yellow) was 700mAh I believe, which would power the controller anywhere from less than half an hour to less than an hour, assuming "typical" power usage. With such little power, I doubt it would be useful for powering motors even if you were allowed to. (You're only allowed to use it as a backup battery, and as far as I know there's no way to channel off power from it when the main battery is connected and charged.)