[archiver]

Posted by Joe Ross at 1/31/2001 3:13 AM EST


Engineer on team #330, Beach Bot, from Hope Chapel Academy and NASA/JPL , J&F Machine, and Raytheon.


In Reply to: how much is too much on the DRILL MOTORS?
Posted by Anton Abaya on 1/30/2001 11:16 PM EST:



: other than say getting an amp meter, checking the heat of the motors, etc..etc... what's a good way to debug a drive train on high gear and see if there are any kinks in running it that high....?

: and when we do run it that high, what exactly should i be watching other than the motors? the gearboxes with the planetary gears? the shafts? the chains? wheels? wires? speed controlers? wHAT? i'd rather break it now on high gear than later....but any recommendations in safely trying it?

the first thing you should do is fully weight the robot. If you don't plan to mess with the goals than make sure your base ways at least 130 lbs. If you plan on pulling or pushing goals, then add 70-80lbs per goal.

If your robot can handle its fully loaded weight at that gear ratio then you should start violent (real-life) manuvers. try running at full speed and then making a very sharp turn and holding that turn. reverse directions quickly etc.

Things to look for: the gearboxes should stay in one piece, along with the rest of your robot. you should not be tripping the 30 amp circuit breakers between the battery and the speed controllers. make sure you use common sense, if something seems like it may be a little weak in practice, it WILL fail in competition.

To answer your question below, the motors can get very hot. You should only be worried if you see the magic smoke or start to smell burnt something or other. The motors can take a very suprising amount of heat.

Good luck!