[dtengineering]

I certainly don't expect the students to know all the rules. Especially the "little picky ones" like how to build a bumper, or ones that get modified on the Q&A forum.

The general rules, and specific rules related to areas that a student is working on, yeah... they need to know. The general rules are covered pretty well through discussion during strategy and design sessions in the first week of build. I can direct students to specific sections of the rule book or Q&A when they need to know that section. The pneumatics and electrical sections tend to be the longest, but really aren't all that demanding when read "on their own".

I remember as a rookie how much time it took trying to wrap my head around all the rules... and what they meant... but it does get easier over the years. (Quick... what wire gauge, colours, and breaker size did you need for hooking up a CIM?) Since students have this terrible habit of graduating (usually just when they are getting really, really useful) and moving on, it is pretty difficult for them to keep up with all the rules. I'd rather having them working and thinking than fixating too much on rules.

Jason

P.S. Those who know the rules, know that there is not a "quick" answer to the above question. The only requirement specifically for a CIM is that you need to use a Victor speed controller, rather than a Spike.... technically you could use a 20A breaker and 18ga wire... although it would be wise to use a 40amp breaker and something a bit heavier than the minimum 12ga required in the rules. And something a lot of tech inspectors (usually rookie techs)don't realize... the wires only need to be red/black (or that other approved colour combo that I always forget) up to the Victors... after that they can (and, I suggest, should) be whatever you want them to be.