Legality of older spikes

[pfreivald]

Team#2057-Vegas, you are mistaken. Whether or not something was in "old kit" has no bearing whatsoever on its legality now.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by pfreivald

Team#2057-Vegas, you are mistaken. Whether or not something was in "old kit" has no bearing whatsoever on its legality now.

It can... If an item is no longer available, it would normally be illegal <R28>. However, if that item was custom made for FIRST from a previous KOP, it would be legal <R30>. Or if it was in a previous KOP and on an old robot, it would be legal <R29>.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

There is not a distinction between the old style Spike and the newer style Spike except as described above. Likewise there is no real difference between the Red Label and Blue Label Victor 884. (There was some confusion during the transition of the labels.) However, if one reads through the manual you will find no mention of a requirement to use only Victor 884 or jaguar speed controllers this year. The rules have been relaxed for the use of any controller as long as the command is generated within the cRIO where it can be controlled by FMS.

[Jon Stratis]

Doesn't <R48> come into play here?

<R48> All electrical loads (motors, actuators, compressors) must be supplied by an approved power regulating device (speed controller, relay module, or Digital Sidecar PWM port) that is controlled by the cRIO-FRC on the ROBOT.

Power regulating devices are “approved” if they are listed in the 2011 Kit of Parts Checklist or have been approved by FIRST. To seek approval for a different device, please contact frcparts@usfirst.org with the component specifications. Any approved devices beyond those on the 2011 Kit of Parts Checklist will be published at www.usfirst.org/frc/kitofparts.

The old Spike is not an "approved" power regulating device, to the best of my knowledge... it's not in the 2011 KoP checklist, and it hasn't been listed at the site mentioned in the blue box for R48.

I would highly recommend following the blue box instructions to get this old style Spike approved as a power regulating device for this year before basing your design on it.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by eagle33199

Doesn't <R48> come into play here?

Checking...

[ratdude747]

Originally Posted by eagle33199

Doesn't <R48> come into play here?



The old Spike is not an "approved" power regulating device, to the best of my knowledge... it's not in the 2011 KoP checklist, and it hasn't been listed at the site mentioned in the blue box for R48.

I would highly recommend following the blue box instructions to get this old style Spike approved as a power regulating device for this year before basing your design on it.

it can bw swapped for newer spikes easily (thats a plywood electronics board for 'ya). We have the newer spikes, but these older ones just fit things well.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by ratdude747

it can bw swapped for newer spikes easily (thats a plywood electronics board for 'ya). We have the newer spikes, but these older ones just fit things well.

I'd suggest you ask on FIRSTs Q&A forum.

[ratdude747]

I will do that.

WAIT- I am using them for a LIGHT. team update #8 allows using spikes OR any other relay for Lights. does that mean that for my intentended use, this thread is a moot point?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

In response to TU #6, I am not so sure. Please standby.

[ratdude747]

re-reading the update, i see that it refers back to the relays allowed, being spikes.

IIRC, the only difference between the old blues and new spikes is the plastic. they seem to have the same "guts"

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by ratdude747

I will do that.

WAIT- I am using them for a LIGHT. team update #8 allows using spikes OR any other relay for Lights. does that mean that for my intentended use, this thread is a moot point?

That's not how i read the update.

<R42> Each power-regulating device (speed controller or relay module) shall control one and only one electrical load (motor, actuator, light or compressor).
Exception: Multiple low-load, pneumatic solenoid valves or lights may be connected to a single relay module. This would allow one relay module to drive multiple pneumatic actions or multiple lights. No other electrical load can be connected to a relay module used in this manner.

This rule makes no distinction between spikes and other relays - it simply allows you to control multiple lights from a single relay, instead of requiring 1 relay per light, which would be some major overkill. Since this rule doesn't specifically say you can use any relay you want, you would still run into problems with R48.


I know as an inspector this year, If i saw Spikes that didn't look like the spikes I've used on robots over the past few years, I would raise some big questions. You don't want to be put in that position, so please get a reading from the GDC or contact the frcparts e-mail to get the older spikes approved.

[ratdude747]

i emailed frcparts yesterday.

[wireties]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Likewise there is no real difference between the Red Label and Blue Label Victor 884. (There was some confusion during the transition of the labels.)

First of all Al, thanks so much for the great advice you give mentors and students on this site!

So, in your opinion, the red label 884s are OK? We have a gaggle of motors on this years bot and are looking to save $$$ by scrounging our older bots.

TIA

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Keith the answer is yes, there is no difference between label colors. See my post in the other thread for greater detail.