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Unread 13-09-2010, 13:25
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JesseK JesseK is offline
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Re: [FTC]: FTC weight and number of drive motors

Fast drive trains have tended to be big let-downs in FTC from my experience and witnessing. Standard 1:1 with 3" wheels typically does the job, or if you want a little faster then 1:1 with 4" wheels may do it better. FTC is more about control than flying around the field; strategy can more than make up for lack of relative speed.

The weight differences between 2 motors and 4 motors is nominal; simply split the wiring at the controller for 2 motors per side instead of 1 motor per side.

The difference in power of 2 motors vs 4 motors comes into play during pushing matches, of which there are many. It also comes into play for motor longevity; 4 motors tend to last longer than 2 simply because there are more motors to spread the load. As for raw pushing power, there is a noticeable difference, yet only if your bot maintains traction over the other bot. Push traction is a derived characteristic of wheel tread, center of gravity, and the height/direction of the contact point between your bot and another bot.

As for battery life, it's been my experience that continuously-run or overloaded manipulators have more effect on the battery than a drive train does. Your design may not have any continuously-run components though (conveyor, intake roller, etc). Additionally, the difference in current draw between 2 drive train motors vs. 4 drive train motors is nominal.
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Last edited by JesseK : 13-09-2010 at 13:32. Reason: Battery Life
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