Legality of older spikes

[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.