RJ-45 connectors, DB25 connectors and the like: legal or no?

[Andrew Wyatt]

Are RJ-45 connectors, cat5 cable, DB25 25 pin connectors and db9 9 pin connectors legal for use on the robot?

[Joe Johnson]

My understanding is that any electrical connectors were legal last year.

But... ...looking at the additional hardware list all I see are:

"Andersen Power Products Powerpole
Modular Connectors
-- Any amount/size"

and

"Insulated Crimp-on Connectors -- Spade, Butt, Ring & Bullet, Any amount/size"


It is possible that this was in an update, I don't recall.

Anybody esle have a better recollection?

Joe J.

[Lloyd Burns]

The 25 pin D-connectors _are_ used on the Robot Controller analog and digital inputs. The 9 pin D-connectors are used for tether, radio, and programming connections to the RC.

For most other connections, the rules usually call for insulated Crimp Quick Disconnects or crimped Ring Terminals. You may also use the connectors that came in the kit, for example the connectors on wiring harnesses (Fischer Price, and seat motors, and some sensors) for connecting to their item.

When I asked, I was told that you could use (what I interpret to be) any adequate terminal block, which terminals would allow for QD's or Rings. For sensors with wire leads, a pair of QD's is all you need to connect to a cable, and best practice is to use no other connector until you solder the cable to the RC input D-connector.

The rule I have running through my thoughts like a ticker-tape says that the only things to be used to conduct electricity came with the kit, and were supplied for that purpose. Not much room for RJ's.

[Matt Reiland]

Same question along the lines, the kit came with I think solder connections for the 25 pin, is it OK to buy a molded 25pin cable and cut it then use the wires instead of soldering? I think the kit came with 15 pin cables for this reason to go to the operator interface?

[Jay Lundy]

Yes, I've seen some teams do that.

Just cut any standard serial or parallel port cable, then it looks a lot neater than if you soldered one yourself.

[Andrew Wyatt]

Our team used the db25 and 15 connectors with the crimp on pins to good effect, they're easier to work with, you can remove pins and move them over if you screw up and you don't have to worry about accidently connecting two pins together with solder.

[Justin Stiltner]

well my understanding of it is kinda like this.
on the robot itself only what came in the kit, or its equilivant when it comes to stuff like ring terminals, spade connectors, ect.
on the operator side of the control system you can use anything you want except for the stuff spacifically listed in the manual (lighted switches, ect...)

But yes I agree that after a wire exits the crimp on the sensor it shouldent be broken untill it ends in the solder cup, or the fuse panel. We did this for the 2 years we compeated and NEVER had a wireing problem.

Oh and the wire nuts (the connectors you just screw onto 2 or more wires twisted together) should never be used for competition, those are designed for building wireing where the wires will never move, not a dynamic system like our robots.
thats kinda a pet peve of myne