extra connector on breaker panel

[sciguy125]

The new breaker panel has a 3 pin connector next to the LED. It isn't labeled in the manual though. Does anyone know what it does?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by sciguy125

The new breaker panel has a 3 pin connector next to the LED. It isn't labeled in the manual though. Does anyone know what it does?

There is no documentation, but if I were to guess, (since it is close to the LED) it is likely for remote mounting a monitor, dual color, LED. This is just a guess not a statement!

[Matt Leese]

Is this the connector for reporting tripped breakers to the control system?

Matt

[ntroup]

From the "Guidelines, Tips & Good Practices" pdf on the 'Documents and Updates' section on the FIRST Site (page 21):

Final note: The PWM socket is not used on this assembly. The DB9 connection can be used to send
CB Panel status information to the RC unit via the Program port connection on the RC.

So, it looks like it is currently un-used.

-Nate

[coreyjon]

Good to know, I was wondering about that myself.

[scitobor 617]

It would be nice to monitor the breaker during matches, is there a way to do that?

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by scitobor 617

It would be nice to monitor the breaker during matches, is there a way to do that?

It's setup to read the breaker status in the default code if the breaker panel is connected to the RC program port.

if (aBreakerWasTripped)

{

  for (i=1;i<29;i++)

  {

	if (Breaker_Tripped(i))

	  User_Byte1 = i; /* Update the last breaker tripped on User_Byte1 (to demonstrate the use of a user byte) 

	  Normally, you do something else if a breaker got tripped (ex: limit a PWM output) */

  }
}

[jdiwnab]

It(the PWM port) may not be used with this set up, but could it be used? Could we control the panel or atleast see whats going on durring the match?

[dez250]

Originally Posted by jdiwnab

It(the PWM port) may not be used with this set up, but could it be used? Could we control the panel or atleast see whats going on durring the match?

This is not an offical statement from IFI but i would reccomend highly against connecting anything to that port this season. You do not know the circuitry for that pwm port and since IFI says its not for use this season what i would do is take a lil electrical tape or gaffers tape and cover over that port so by accident it is not used or damaged this year.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by jdiwnab

It(the PWM port) may not be used with this set up, but could it be used? Could we control the panel or atleast see whats going on durring the match?

All of that is done via the serial port, not the PWM port. As Mark showed, the user program knows the complete status. That data is also sent to the dashboard, so you can see it real time during a match.

There isn't any reason, that I can think of, to try to figure out what the PWM port is used for, as everything we want is already provided.

[ahecht]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

There isn't any reason, that I can think of, to try to figure out what the PWM port is used for, as everything we want is already provided.

If would be nice if the PWM port replicated the function of the LED, so that you could see if any breakers tripped on OI without having to using the serial port on the RC (since you might be using the serial port for something more important like a custom circuit).

[CJO]

You could always come up with a system to integrate the output from the breaker panal into the digital I/O, or you could use the tether port for the second serial device. Also, there is the TTL port which is ostensibly for the camera, but you can make the camera run on the I/O if you really need to.

[roboticsguy1988]

Yes you can connect it with a PWM this year. Any status can be viewed through dashboard. Go here for more info http://www.ifirobotics.com/circuit-breaker-panel.shtml, also, make note that the bottom of the page has a bit of information.