URGENT ASSISTANCE!

[jdh042397]

Weve run into a bit of a snag. I know the battery terminals are only supposed to be 12 inches, but how long can the wires going from the PDB to the Circuit Breaker be?

[Mark McLeod]

As long as you want.

People try to keep them short because of the weight of the wire, or as part of a plan to minimize power losses over long lengths of wire.

[IndySam]

There no rules that say how long or short they should be. Battery leads either. The usual thing is to keep all wires as short as possible. Copper is heavy and that weight adds up quickly.

[jdh042397]

Originally Posted by IndySam

There no rules that say how long or short they should be. Battery leads either. The usual thing is to keep all wires as short as possible. Copper is heavy and that weight adds up quickly.

Are you sure? In rule R5, it says "the ROBOT battery and its associated half of the Anderson cable quick connect/disconnect pair (including no more than 12 in. of cable per leg, the associated cable lugs, connecting bolts". Doesnt that mean the battery cables have to be 12" or less?

[cgmv123]

Originally Posted by jdh042397

Doesnt that mean the battery cables have to be 12" or less?

Technically only 12" is exempt from the weight limit, but in practice it means battery wiring has to be less than 12"

[Al Skierkiewicz]

The wires connected to the battery are limited to a maximum length of 12" to keep teams from shifting additional robot weight to the battery, which is not weighed. Granted it is small but we see many robots every year that weigh in a 120.0 lbs. (cough WildStang cough) Every little bit helps.

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by cgmv123

Technically only 12" is exempt from the weight limit, but in practice it means battery wiring has to be less than 12"

Exactly, you can make them as long as you want them but they will count against your weight.

[cgmv123]

Originally Posted by IndySam

Exactly, you can make them as long as you want them but they will count against your weight.

The issue is you have to cut them for weighing purposes.

[jdh042397]

To clarify we want to know what/if there is a maximum length from the Power Distribution Board to the Circuit Breaker.

[dellagd]

Originally Posted by jdh042397

To clarify we want to know what/if there is a maximum length from the Power Distribution Board to the Circuit Breaker.

The first reply answered that question, there is none (and he is correct )

[cgmv123]

Originally Posted by jdh042397

To clarify we want to know what/if there is a maximum length from the Power Distribution Board to the Circuit Breaker.

R35 and Figure 4-11 do not specify a minimum length for that segment of wire.

[jdh042397]

Thank you for the replies this information helps alot.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

jd,
The 6 gauge wire will drop some voltage for every inch of wire. The extent of this drop is dependent on how much current your robot draws during play. It is highly recommended to keep this as short as possible. That is inches, not feet, if possible. I had hoped that teams would take away from the 12" rule (R5) that they should keep the wires on the batteries no longer than 12".