pic: XBot 2007 electronics panel

[Fred Sayre]

loading photo ...

[jcatt]

Very Nice. Looks good. I like the way you are saving weight by cuting out the center of the speed controlers. May i ask what type of material your using to mount everything to.

[Fred Sayre]

Originally Posted by jcatt

Very Nice. Looks good. I like the way you are saving weight by cuting out the center of the speed controlers. May i ask what type of material your using to mount everything to.

It is ABS 1/4" plastic. We might still take some weight out of it, if we have time to take the electronics off and cut it before the panel is needed on the robot.

[mtaman02]

I like the neatness of the wiring. No access wiring to get caught up in the moving parts of your robot or someone elses. Plus the amount of weight your saving by cutting the excess wiring.

[Fred Sayre]

Originally Posted by mtaman02

I like the neatness of the wiring. No access wiring to get caught up in the moving parts of your robot or someone elses. Plus the amount of weight your saving by cutting the excess wiring.

Every year that I been on a team the wiring was dealt with as a last priority, causing many unexpected failures that were very difficult to diagnose and fix. We finally decided that we would do it right this year

I will post a picture when the board is more finalized.

Thanks!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I like the short runs of #6 and the central location of the blocks and Main breaker. The output of the main breaker must feed the distribution blocks before the fuse panels per the wiring diagram and Tips and Guidelines and

<R57> The 12V battery, the main 120-amp circuit breaker, the power distribution block, and circuit breaker distribution panels must be connected as shown in the 2007 Power Distribution Diagram.

[Fred Sayre]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

I like the short runs of #6 and the central location of the blocks and Main breaker. The output of the main breaker must feed the distribution blocks before the fuse panels per the wiring diagram and Tips and Guidelines and

<R57> The 12V battery, the main 120-amp circuit breaker, the power distribution block, and circuit breaker distribution panels must be connected as shown in the 2007 Power Distribution Diagram.

Thanks, and yes - we were already discussing whether that was acceptable or not. Thanks for pointing out the specific rule though!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Anytime!
Glad you were able to catch it early.

[GMKlenklen]

what fasteners are required for mounting the electrical hardware to a flat panel? Is it provided in the KOP?

[Joel J]

How much does your electronic panel weigh, with all the victors, and etc?

[Fred Sayre]

Originally Posted by GMKlenklen

what fasteners are required for mounting the electrical hardware to a flat panel? Is it provided in the KOP?

We are just using standard #8-32, #10-32, and 1/4"-20 bolts for mounting, and zip ties for the speed controllers. It is stuff not generally supplied. (I know there are zip ties in the KOP, but I am not sure about any other appropriate hardware).

Originally Posted by Joel J.

How much does your electronic panel weigh, with all the victors, and etc?

We will weigh it tonight...

[dtengineering]

Looks nice... I've found that #8 nylon machine screws and nuts save some weight over steel screws and also provide one less conductive surface to short out to.

See you in Portland.

Jason

[Japper]

Originally Posted by fsayre

It is ABS 1/4" plastic. We might still take some weight out of it, if we have time to take the electronics off and cut it before the panel is needed on the robot.

I like it... it is clean and looks nice!

Can we use any material for the electronics mounting board?

Also, is it necessary to add any dampers to limit any vibration or is this not an issue?

I am also considering using the 1/4" ABS plastic as well but wanted to make sure that there isn't any rules against using it.

thanks!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Japper,
Nothing in the electronics is so fragile that it can't take a hit from another robot. There are things you do want to make sure are secure. The battery musst be mounted in such a way that it won't fly out in a crash with another robot. The PWM cables have a tendency to pull out if you don't tie them into position. We usually just loop the cable out of the device and tie wrap it to the mounting board next to the device. This goes for both ends, RC and Victor, Spike or servo. The power cables, if left to flop around, will loosen at the screw terminals of the Victors so tie those down as well. Time will tell if the terminal blocks will stand up to the vibration of matches. I am recommending that teams check the tightness of each one in the pit between matches.

[Japper]

Thanks Al-

Is there a rule of thumb regarding how much of the robot should be covered in Lexan to protect parts and besides the electronics panel, which areas should have this type of protection?