2013 running 2 - VI air compressors legal?

[Tristan Lall]

Originally Posted by 1075guy

Whether this time I use compressor A and next time I use compressor B doesn't particularly matter, otherwise, what happens when one breaks during a competition?

Originally Posted by Kevin Kolodziej

Can you have the newer, smaller compressor, on your robot (used during matches to keep your air supply topped off) but use the older, larger compressor offboard to fill your tanks between matches?

The issue of spares is what really drives my disdain for this rule.

If I can switch compressors and batteries because spare parts are allowed, then apart from annoying everyone unnecessarily, all this rule accomplishes is to mandate that the cRIO controls and robot's power distribution system be used. That is unnecessary from a practical point of view, because there are plenty of simple mechanical devices (fuses, pressure switches, regulators, etc.) that can control the system without human or computer intervention—and the pneumatic ones are required anyway! Mandate a proper fuse/breaker on the compressor, and that failure mode is mitigated, without resorting to full robot control.

This rule should not exist in its current form, but it does—and with great regret, will be enforced vigourously.

Originally Posted by Kevin Kolodziej

I've been near a robot that had a brass fitting burst because it was connected to the compressor which got so hot the brass softened and couldn't handle the pressure.

Are you sure that was the failure mode?