Banebots with Spikes

[Mashby77]

Can I use spike to run a Banebot motor.

[EricH]

Can you show me in the rules where you can't?

The only motors with restrictions on what can be used to control them are the CIMs and the Fischer-Price motors, both of which require a Jaguar or a Victor per [R50.a]. (Well, there are a few other restrictions, but they're on servos, the compressor, and solenoids.) Other than that, just about anything that's on the approved power regulator list in [R51] is fair game for use with motors.

Now, is it advisable? Not if you want varying speeds. If you only want one speed, then yes, a Spike would be perfect in terms of control. I can't speak to how long the motor will last, however; this is mainly because I've never seen a Banebots motor used with a Spike.

[Retired Starman]

This takes a little design consideration. The Spike is fused for 20 amps. What current draw will your motor have under normal load? Will it pop the fuse at load? If so, you probably want to use a Jaguar of Victor to handle the higher current.

FIRST has a list of this year's motors and their stall currents. Hopefully you won't stall your motors since ugly things often happen when you do. Last year I saw a Banebot smoke out on the field when it stalled. The team had used too large a breaker on the motor circuit and the motor blew before the current got high enough to pop the breaker.

As you can see, the choice of motor control and protection need a little thought.

Dr. Bob

Chairman's Award is not about building the robot. Every team builds a robot.

[Kevin Sevcik]

Wheeee! Yes, it's perfectly legal to run a 273W, 86A Banebots RS-775 motor on a Spike. But you know what? R50-A says that it's NOT legal to run a 172W, 63A Fisher Price motor on a Spike. But never fear! The nearly exactly identical in size, shape, weight, and performance am-0912 motor IS perfectly legal to run on a Spike.

Yup, clearly the Fisher Price brand name is incompatible with the Spike controllers.

(I asked a roundabout Q&A on this and the GDC replied that yes, it's perfectly legal to run more powerful motors on Spikes. I've resubmitted a slightly more... colorful question to point out the nonsensical nature of this rule. We'll see what they decide.)

[cgmv123]

Originally Posted by Kevin Sevcik

(I asked a roundabout Q&A on this and the GDC replied that yes, it's perfectly legal to run more powerful motors on Spikes. I've resubmitted a slightly more... colorful question to point out the nonsensical nature of this rule. We'll see what they decide.)

Looks like they got back to you with, what else?, "There are no Rules expressly prohibiting that."

[Kevin Sevcik]

Originally Posted by cgmv123

Looks like they got back to you with, what else?, "There are no Rules expressly prohibiting that."

Oh no, no. That was the first Q&A I mentioned. I've posted a followup. You'll see it if you search for "Robot Rules"->"Motors & Actuators" -> "R50".