[dtengineering]

In regards to FP motors specifically, there is nothing in the rules preventing you from running them off a lower current circuit breaker, or putting a fuse in line with the motor to ensure that it will never exceed a particular current. Yes, that also means that it will never exceed a particular torque.

However given that FIRST is largely about learning, and that part of learning is making mistakes, it would be extremely unfortunate to have a team show up for a regional with a major component running on a part made of unobtanium and have it blow on Thursday or Friday. Yes, there would be learning taking place, but at the cost of the overall experience for both the team with the busted part, their partners and their opponents.

Fortunately, while we have broken many components at competitions... up to and including the RC, we have never found that we could not get the part replaced or repaired in time to have a good experience at the competition... even if it meant that for a match or two we were partially unable to compete at our full capacity. (An appropriate consequence for a poor decision is a big part of learning!) We have also been able to help other teams get up and running/repaired in time to have a good weekend as well. So I guess my conclusion would be that just because spares aren't available for sale doesn't mean that spares aren't available. In fact there is a pretty good chance we'll have two spare FP's in our pit, as well as some advice on how to not smoke them, should a team in Portland or Seattle need one.

Jason