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Unread 10-06-2007, 19:11
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: What does it take to brick an RCX (no pun intended)?

Bill,
General failures have more to do with batteries then with anything else. Make sure that all the battery compartments are clean, i.e. no leaked batteries, all contact points are clean, and no foreign matter anywhere (like cookie crumbs). Then check that all the contacts press against the batteries tightly. You should not be able to turn the RCX over and have any batteries fall out. You might have to use a small screwdriver to pry some life back into the contacts. When in doubt make sure that the firmware is properly loaded or load it again. One of the students might have dropped the RCX pushing one of the batteries out of alignment for long enough to corrupt the firmware. IR illuminators in use on security cameras can play havoc with downloads so watch for cameras in your class room. If you have checked all of the above and you still have a problem, look for dings in the case (rounded corners, cracked LCD, etc.) indicating a drop. There may be no coming back from a cracked circuit board. As you know, the motors don't survive a drop either. If you can't easily back crive a motor, it is likely to have been dropped which either bends the shaft or deforms the motor case.
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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.

Last edited by Al Skierkiewicz : 10-06-2007 at 20:08.
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