What gauge wires

[Punjabguy87]

Does anyone have any suggestions to which gauge wires should be used from the victor 884 to the motors, and the gauge of the wires from the circuit board to the sensors, fans, etc.

[Bduggan04]

There are REQUIRED guages not suggested guages. Read the manual on robot construction. It is clearly described in the Electrical section of it. Specific colors are also required.

[Adam Shapiro]

There is a listing in the manual but a generalization is as follows:

• 6 AWG - Battery -> Breaker
• 10 AWG - Motors -> Speed Controllers
• 16 AWG -> Motors + Solenoids, etc. -> Relays
• 16 AWG - Controller -> Breakers
• 24 AWG - Sensors -> Controller

There are some more requirements but this is a good generalization. Remember that you can always use a larger guage (smaller number) than required but NOT smaller.

[Punjabguy87]

thanks

[pryoplasm]

also, on certain motors such as the drill motors and the CIMs, you do not want to remove the wires off of them, instead you can make 10AWG leads to them.

for the drill motor specifically, it is very hard to try and desolder the leads off of it. and this may result in the damamge of the various plastic bits and pieces, so it is better not to even try.

[Travis Covington]

I noticed a discrepancy in rule 5.6.2 "Wire Size" and the robot power distribution diagram.

In the power distribution diagram it shows 10 AWG wire to the relays, and rule 5.6.2 states 16 AWG is the mnimum. I know in past years 16 AWG was sufficient... I do not know why they have 10 AWG listed on the power distribution diagram...

Anyone know whats up?

[Jay H 237]

You almost answered your own question. 16 gauge is a minumum but there is nothing wrong with using 10 gauge. With wire gauges the lower the number the larger the wire is and the more current it can carry. A 14 gauge wire can handle more amperage than a 16 gauge, a 12 gauge more than a 14, a 10 more than---well, you get the idea. They put 16 as a minumum because 18 or higher won't be able to safely handle the amperage the relays could possibly draw. Just also remember a motor under heavy load or bound up could draw twice as what it is rated for.

[Travis Covington]

Okay...

My question was in reference to the discrepency... I was wondering if they knew there was an error (or if it was intentional, noted it somewhere) Obviously the larger wire wouldnt hurt, but some teams may get confused and use the *heavier* unnecesary 10 AWG wire for solenoids, relays, etc.

Also, larger wires can handle more current, measured in amps.