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Unread 11-01-2007, 14:58
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
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Re: Off robot air compressor

Quote:
Originally Posted by T. Hoffman View Post
So, Al, I imagine it would be a bit awkward to connect and disconnect the compressor lead wires to and from the Spike Relay on the robot every time a team wants to charge up their system. If a team mounted a suitable 2-way quick disconnect connector (like the red Anderson connectors only not nearly as beefy) somewhere convenient near the periphery of the robot and ran red and black pigtail leads back from the connector to the Spike, would that be a legal setup? Just curious. 48 hasn't used pneumatics since 2003, and I haven't had the opportunity to observe how teams with offboard pumps legally charge up their systems.

If the quick connector were legal, along with the air line from the pump, which would plug into the manual dump valve mounted to the accumulator, you'd have one power and one air connection. Plug in, open the valve, turn the robot on, charge up to full pressure, close the valve, power down the robot, remove the pump, and you're done. Correct?
T,
The Anderson people make connectors for #10 wire that are small and the shells snap together to form as many contacts as you want and come in a vareity of colors. They are also available through the usual sources, Terminal Supply and Powerex. We have used them for years to make our robot modular. As to the rest of your post, YES. Tether, connect pump electrical and hose, open the exhaust valve, power the robot, wait until the pump is shut off under RC control, close the exhaust valve, shut down the robot and disconnect the electrical and hose from the outboard compressor. Check the pressure guage to make sure you are at no more than 125 PSI and go win a match.
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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.