Will this circuit work?

[The Lucas]

Does any one know if 3-way light switches are legal for Minibot use? They seem common (ubiquitous) to me. Could be a good Q&A.

If 3-way switches are legal and you still want the minibot to hold at the top of the pole, there is a way (think about speed controller "Brake Mode").

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Brian,
Light switches were defined by the Q&A
"For the purposes of the 2011 competition, a common household light switch is any electrical switch that would normally be mounted in a wall outlet box with household wiring, typically available at a home supply center (e.g. Lowes or Home Depot).

Minor modifications of the switch (e.g. removing the mounting tabs) are permitted, as long as the basic structural integrity and overall safety of the switch are not compromised. "

Three way and four way switches would fit this description.

[liam.larkin]

tagayoff.

Grainger-they sell all types and flavors that can handle much more then your required 14 amp. Where is that number coming from btw? Our motors are not approaching anywhere near that much current.

[tagayoff]

I saw in one post the stall current of one motor was 7 amps. Since both on start would be stalled . The switch would have to handle that much if it was to survive long I think. Of course how many times does it have to climb the pole. Then again if you make it to the finals that could be a bummer if it failed that last time.

[staplemonx]

Thanks agian for the knowledge folks

Here is our updated plan. Lets see if we understood the feedback correctly.

[Mike Betts]

Originally Posted by staplemonx

Thanks agian for the knowledge folks

Here is our updated plan. Lets see if we understood the feedback correctly.

If the devices you are using are in compliance with <R92>, you should be all set. That being said, I'm not sure that they are...

[liam.larkin]

That looks good to me.

Switch one is normally open

Switch two is normally closed

I think that will work well. Motors in Parallel??? I mean sure why not harder to physically wire but sure...for this application series will be work just fine

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by liam.larkin

I think that will work well. Motors in Parallel??? I mean sure why not harder to physically wire but sure...for this application series will be work just fine

That's not correct at all. Motors in series would get approximately half the voltage and spin half as fast. In a Minibot race you really don't want to do that (for the way up at least).

[liam.larkin]

Yes the voltage drop across them would be cut in half.....Yes right DUH.....Sometimes I loss my head

[PAR_WIG1350]

Originally Posted by Mike Betts

If the devices you are using are in compliance with <R92>, you should be all set. That being said, I'm not sure that they are...

If the "shunt fields" are just coils that they manufacture out of the allowed wire, then they should be fine, if they are anything more than that, they might have trouble. That being said, the "shunt fields" aren't really necessary, the minibot should do just fine if it is simply turned off. if this makes it fall too slow, I suggest a loop of lexan for a bumper.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

JJ,
If switch number one is normally opened until you contact the tower and switch number two is normally closed until you reach the top, then this configuration should work. What remains is how to get the minibot down.
For those lurking here, the motors don't contain shunt field coils since these are permanent magnet motors. This is just a drawing.