fans on victors

[bsbllpss]

I have a question. To some it may seem stupid. Our we absolutely recquired by rule to use a fan on every victor? Even if there's more than adequate ventilation near the victor?

[nuggetsyl]

I think you will burn it out if you do not use it. They make is a ton of heat when running your bot a lot.

[billbo911]

Originally Posted by bsbllpss

I have a question. To some it may seem stupid. Our we absolutely recquired by rule to use a fan on every victor? Even if there's more than adequate ventilation near the victor?

Honestly, I don't know if there is a rule requiring it, though there may be. IMHO, if you want to make more than one lap, you will use them.

[bsbllpss]

Originally Posted by billbo911

Honestly, I don't know if there is a rule requiring it, though there may be. IMHO, if you want to make more than one lap, you will use them.

I've run the 'bot alot without the fans on the victors, though there is quite alot of mini-duct fans around and near the victors just none on top of them. I've also seen quite a few people saying that they've done fine running w/o them.

[beemgruem]

I would just wire it in case, actually I did just in case

This link shows how to wire it also..

http://www.ifirobotics.com/docs/ifi-...al-9-25-06.pdf

I hope it would be helpful..

[popo308]

You will not pass inspection without a fan on every victor they are required buy FIRST....

For testing though they are not needed we run them under load all the time with no fan and have had no problems!

[Ian Curtis]

Originally Posted by popo308

You will not pass inspection without a fan on every victor they are required buy FIRST....

For testing though they are not needed we run them under load all the time with no fan and have had no problems!

Section 8 "The Robot"

If that was a rule, it would be contained within the text of that document. It is not.

Futhermore this Q&A specifically states it is allowed, just NOT a very good idea.

However, in my opinion it is a bad idea to remove them for two reasons. The obvious one is cooling, the other is that they are another line of defense against the magic smoke. Actually, it probably doesn't even work that well at protecting from falling aluminum, but it makes me feel secure.

[popo308]

Originally Posted by iCurtis

Section 8 "The Robot"

If that was a rule, it would be contained within the text of that document. It is not.

Futhermore this Q&A specifically states it is allowed, just NOT a very good idea.

However, in my opinion it is a bad idea to remove them for two reasons. The obvious one is cooling, the other is that they are another line of defense against the magic smoke. Actually, it probably doesn't even work that well at protecting from falling aluminum, but it makes me feel secure.

Sorry i guess i should of read the rule a little closer in previous years i believe we were told to put a fan on victors with no fans.... (could of been a diff team) but i was almost positive they required them...

Yet again rules change year to year

[Drwurm]

As one of our electronics mentors put it, if the Victor needs a fan, something is wrong. They will run cool without the fan. But yes, it is a bit safer.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Drwurm

As one of our electronics mentors put it, if the Victor needs a fan, something is wrong.

Not exactly true. The Victor should have a large heat sink, but doesn't, and instead the heat is managed by a fan. WQithout the heat sink (and without a fan) the Victor must be severely derated.

Don

[Andy A.]

I've run victors with out fans in many of my non FIRST related uses. They don't get nearly as hot in typical use as you might believe.

In the past an inspector noticed that one of the fans on a victor wasn't running on a 95 'bot, and required that it be replaced before passing us. It seems this year that it is not a requirement. I would bring this Q&A with you if you do plan on removing any of the fans. Some inspectors may view it as modifying supplied electronics.

So, if it were my call, I would remove the fans on low current motors and leave them on drive motors and such. Over the course of a two minute match something like a seat motor just won't be able to overheat a Victor. A small CIM motor, however, might.

-Andy A.

[Drwurm]

The main thing here, is that it doesn't take much to outfit the Victor with a fan. Just run the fan wires down to the victor screws and you're done. They don't use much power, and they'll keep your 115 dollar controllers a bit cooler.

[Mr. Freeman]

Originally Posted by Andy A.

In the past an inspector noticed that one of the fans on a victor wasn't running on a 95 'bot, and required that it be replaced before passing us. It seems this year that it is not a requirement. I would bring this Q&A with you if you do plan on removing any of the fans. Some inspectors may view it as modifying supplied electronics.

Wasn't that a different model though? I remember hearing something about switching to the 884 in 2005, but that was my rookie year so I'm not sure what was used before that.

Anyway, my opinion is that you should keep the fans on. If one overheats, it's about $115 for a new one. I'd rather find some other way to dump 8 hundredths of a pound than potentially placing $115, a won match, and the time it takes to replace the victor in jeopardy.
Perhaps we need a conversion chart. One fan = X many speed holes = Y many links of chain = Z many inches of wire, etc.