Putting a Vex spike onto a jag

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Camren,
Spikes can only handle 20 amps of current. While that is enough for some of the motors, it will be destroyed by the current demands of others.
I moved the thread into electrical where more people are likely to see and be able to answer your questions.

[Camren]

oh ok thanks also I read that spikes can be used as motor controller but it dosnt say if they're variable

[PAR_WIG1350]

Originally Posted by Camren

oh ok thanks also I read that spikes can be used as motor controller but it dosnt say if they're variable

Spikes can act as non-variable, reversible, H-bridge motor controllers. When used as such, no additional components are needed. Jaguars also contain H-bridges, but they are MOSFET H-bridges which means that they can be used for variable speed motor control. As such, if a jaguar is used, a spike would be redundant. Also, spikes are relatively low current devices (compared to jaguars) and aren't really ideal replacements. I would definitely try to figure out what is happening before doing anything else.