Axis Camera Issue

[Chris Hibner]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

The way the power distribution system was designed, all of the white Wago connectors are for 12 volt power (24 volts to the Solenoid Breakout was an afterthought). The camera power supply is exceptional; it was originally the only 5 volt device in the system, and it uses the special no-connector port so you can't accidentally plug it into a 12 volt supply.

The problem is you can think it's for the 12V supply and put the wires into a Wago connector (thinking that is what you're supposed to do).

I was a little disappointed in the "How to Configure Your Camera" section this year. There was a picture of the power distribution board labeled "Camera Power Feed...", which is great that there's a picture, but there were 3 power feeds in the picture (5 if you include the power sources fed via breakers). How is a rookie team to know that it's the 5V source vs the 12V source vs the breaker fed source? They're all in the picture. An arrow photo-shopped into the picture pointing to the proper power source would have been helpful (or a note clarifying that it's the source laveled "5V").

I know that the control system drawings were clearly labeled to show which power source feeds the camera, but just following the "Getting started" document I can see how someone would try to feed the camera from the wrong source.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by Chris Hibner

The problem is you can think it's for the 12V supply and put the wires into a Wago connector (thinking that is what you're supposed to do).

I guess I have too much experience to have considered that as a valid concern. The red and black Wago connections aren't intended for the small-gauge wires of the camera power cable.

I also have a deeply ingrained habit of double-checking power connections and voltage requirements before wiring things up and plugging them in.

[Chris Hibner]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

I guess I have too much experience to have considered that as a valid concern. The red and black Wago connections aren't intended for the small-gauge wires of the camera power cable.

I also have a deeply ingrained habit of double-checking power connections and voltage requirements before wiring things up and plugging them in.

You and I both have that habit, but unfortunately a lot of rookie teams without adequate mentors haven't built those habits yet. As soon as I saw that picture in the setup guide, I thought "uh oh". Especially since the closest and largest power feed in the picture was one coming off of a 30A breaker. I'm willing to bet that is why someone that posted here hooked their camera up through the breaker.

One thing I would like to see is the manuals passed out to a group of high school students that have no FIRST experience and have them try to do the entire setup. That would help catch common errors and questions, and highlight where some clarification is needed. Maybe this is already done, I don't know.