Blowing spike fuses

[FrankJ]

Which rule says you cannot use the self resetting circuit breaker in the spike? Or says you have to use a fuse rather than the 20 amp CB? I cannot find mention of that in the 2012 rule book.

The vex web site says specifically the spike is designed for the self resetting CB.

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by FrankJ

Which rule says you cannot use the self resetting circuit breaker in the spike? Or says you have to use a fuse rather than the 20 amp CB? I cannot find mention of that in the 2012 rule book.

The vex web site says specifically the spike is designed for the self resetting CB.

R58.

The control system is designed to allow wireless control of the Robots. The Driver Station software, FirstTouch I/O module, cRIO, speed controllers, relay modules, wireless bridge, and batteries shall not be tampered with, modified, or adjusted in any way (tampering includes drilling, cutting, machining, gluing, rewiring, disassembling, etc.), with the following exceptions:

Emphasis mine.

[plnyyanks]

Originally Posted by FrankJ

Which rule says you cannot use the self resetting circuit breaker in the spike? Or says you have to use a fuse rather than the 20 amp CB? I cannot find mention of that in the 2012 rule book.

The vex web site says specifically the spike is designed for the self resetting CB.

Originally Posted by R58

The control system is designed to allow wireless control of the Robots. The Driver Station software, FirstTouch I/O module, cRIO, speed controllers, relay modules, wireless bridge, and batteries shall not be tampered with, modified, or adjusted in any way (tampering includes drilling, cutting, machining, gluing, rewiring, disassembling, etc.), with the following exceptions:
<snip>
The fuse on a relay feeding the compressor may be replaced with a 20 Amp Snap-Action circuit breaker (recommended).

Since this rule only specifically says that the spike regulating the compressor may have a replaced fuse, my interpretation of the rule is that you can only replace the fuse on the compressor's spike; I feel that the manual would have been worded differently if you were allowed to replace fuses on all spikes.

But of course, it's not my interpretation that matters, it's the GDC's. Someone should ask this in Q&A and get a clear answer.

[FrankJ]

But of course, it's not my interpretation that matters, it's the GDC's. Someone should ask this in Q&A and get a clear answer.

I expect I will do that since without anything official, it will be the inspector's definition I would have to follow.

In any case you need to know why the fuse is blowing and be sure you are not masking something that needs to be fixed.

[its da PAT!!!]

Originally Posted by FrankJ

I expect I will do that since without anything official, it will be the inspector's definition I would have to follow.

In any case you need to know why the fuse is blowing and be sure you are not masking something that needs to be fixed.

What needs to be fixed has been said already. They are stalling the motor, which stalls at over 20amps. So they need which to a speed controller.