alert led light.

[Luiz12]

On our robot we have a spring that engages to shoot a ball, now ocassionally we tend to forget that our robot is engaged to shoot. I simply wanted to add some kind of light probably led, with a microswitch attached to it. When the spring engages it would press on the switch turning on the light but would all this be legal.

[EricH]

It would be a custom circuit. I don't remember any rules saying it wouldn't be legal; granted I don't know the exact setup you're thinking of. Note that it would count towards the 30-lb withholding allowance. You'll need to pay attention to the custom circuit rules.

You could also use the microswitch to trigger a display on the driver's station to do something. Remember, you want to be able to see the LED from the other end of the field--that's harder than it sounds.

[GaryVoshol]

Is this alert meant to be shown during the match? See Eric's post.

Do you want an alert light on at other times such as to remind yourself to disable the shooter when removing the robot from the field? I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to do that. All power must go through your control system that is disabled when the match ends.

It sounds like a noble safety goal, but that's not the way to accomplish it.

[RufflesRidge]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

Do you want an alert light on at other times such as to remind yourself to disable the shooter when removing the robot from the field? I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to do that. All power must go through your control system that is disabled when the match ends.

It sounds like a noble safety goal, but that's not the way to accomplish it.

I disagree. An LED/microswitch can easily and legally be wired to the DIO on the Digital Sidecar which is not disabled when the robot is disabled. Only the relay and PWM ports are disabled.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Ruffle,
Gary is referring to the power off condition when the robot is taken from the field. For safety robots should be transported with the power off and pneumatic actuators and springs in their lowest energy state.

[Luiz12]

Well the power will be drawn from the 12v ac/dc converter. The gound will be wired the switch . Basically the light will only turn on when we engage to shoot every other time it will be off.

[Cal578]

Originally Posted by Luiz12

Well the power will be drawn from the 12v ac/dc converter.

What "AC/DC converter"? There usually is no AC available on the robot (unless you count PWM, which in this context I don't think is intended).

Getting to the safety issue, does your robot have a way to safely release the spring at the end of a match?

[nitneylion452]

Al,

The LED warning light would still be effective as a reminder as those transporting the robot approach it. When they see the light, they know they need to disengage the spring and can then safely transport the robot off the field with the power off.