Switching from Toughbox to SuperShifter

[DjScribbles]

We want to be able to be fast while not losing our ability to win a pushing match.

If we get shifters, we will likely put the second set of CIMs on if we can spare the weight (or if we change gears in the toughbox). We are currently geared low (not sure how low, but we don't get pushed at all, and are pretty slow)

The general consensus seems to be gear up and add a CIM as an easy solution. However, I'm still interested in switching to shifters if it's possible to do on our robot (during an event), I'm looking for observations from someone who has made the switch; do the parts have the same attachment points/dimensions, are there any gotchas that we could run into, etc?

[Shane 2429]

In my personal opinion cut the weight out from somewhere else and put those extra motors into your gearboxes they are extremely helpful in a 1v1 or even 1v2 pushmatch and in cases like this year when the center of the field turns into a rugby scrum.

[protoserge]

I'd recommend "running what you've got". If you can get an extra CIM in there now, do it. Swapping gear boxes is not a trivial matter and may cause you to miss most of your practice matches (which you'd need to debug your new setup).

If you are confident enough in your ability to swap out the gear ratios, that may be beneficial as well. There are many teams running single speed gearboxes out there and are having a very successful season.

What are the strenths of your robot? What are the specs (dimensions and weight). Do you have a photo to help demonstrate the steps required for swapping the transmission out?

[midway78224]

Ive been running super shifters for a few yrs now. Our setup has always been to gear up the high gear where you run a 6:1 gear ratio. Then we run a 15:22 tooth sprocket from gearbox to wheel. We use the 6 inch first wheel. This give us about a 13.5 ft/sec in high and 4 ft in low. We have enough speed to do our gameplan and more then enough power to be in a pushing match. When we tested our low gear we pushed 325 lbs. If you have any more questions you can pm me and ill love to answer them.

[BJT]

The output shafts come out a bit toward the corners on a SS. They come out the middle of the toughbox. Could cause some headaches swapping them. The ball shifters output is centered like a toughbox

[pmangels17]

If your TB's are chain driven, the regular shifter is probably a better option. The super shifter is geared for direct drive, or 1:1 chain.

[IndySam]

Like others I really really really (that's three reallys on the really scale suggest against changing this late in the game. Find a way to get those two other motors on there, you will be surprised at the difference.

AM has many ratios available for the toughboxes so you can also gear a little faster and still have good pushing power with those extra motors. At the same time you can reduce weight by using AM's aluminum gears and trading the box housings for the spacers also offered at AM.

[Chris is me]

By no means are shifters mandatory this year. If you want a competitive drive that can push alright and still drive quickly, 4 CIMs is mandatory before you even start talking about shifters.

I would go with that, and try shifters in the off season. You don't want to take such a huge risk with such an essential part of your robot without experience, or at least a CAD model

What is your current gear ratio, wheel size, and wheel material? I'd be happy to suggest an alternate drive ratio to give your team a starting point.