Use of Flashlight as Aiming Aid

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by Hadi379

Can you wire a flashlight to a spike, and then wire the spike directly to the 5V output on the PD board? Is that legal?

As a custom circuit I can't think of any rules that would prevent it. However, it probably wouldn't work. A Spike is designed to run on 12 volts, and definitely will work down to 9, but I don't think its relay coils will function with only 5 volts powering it.

When experimenting with flashlights at the beginning of the season, we successfully used a small 5 volt relay, switching it using a Digital Output.

[Aidan S.]

An interesting case of light-based aim assistance came from team 188 last year. They had three class I lasers in a line above their shooter, with the outer two pointed inwards ever so slightly. They ran their shooter wheel at a constant speed, and would project the lasers into the center of the backboard. When the three beams would overlap, they would be at the perfect distance to take their shot (middle of the key). This proved to be a very consistent and easy to use system for their drive team.

[Hadi379]

Thanks Alan. Would it be legal to go from 12V from the PD board to a spike, then from the spike to a 12v-5v converter, and then to the LED flashlight?

Is it legal to have more than one 12v-5v converter on your robot?

OR

Can I wire the robot radio to the dedicated 5v output on the PD board, and use the 12v-5v converter for the scenario above?

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by Hadi379

Can I wire the robot radio to the dedicated 5v output on the PD board?

Don't ever, ever do this!

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by Hadi379

Thanks Alan. Would it be legal to go from 12V from the PD board to a spike, then from the spike to a 12v-5v converter, and then to the LED flashlight?

I can't think of any rules this would violate. That's exactly what the TechnoKats robot has on it right now. Except that the "12v-5v" converter we're using isn't the CPR-360 that came in the Kit of Parts; it's a car charger for a cell phone that was purchased for a dollar at Goodwill.

Is it legal to have more than one 12v-5v converter on your robot?

I can't think of any rules that require you to use exactly one of them.

OR

Can I wire the robot radio to the dedicated 5v output on the PD board, and use the 12v-5v converter for the scenario above?

You can do that, but it would be illegal, and it would be a bad idea anyway. The 5v camera output isn't protected against brownouts.

[Hadi379]

Thanks Alan and Mark, much appreciated.

[purduephotog]

Hi folks-

One of our student told me about this thread . I helped deploy team 3015 aspheric lenses Cree xre current regulated led aim point.

I'll provide a parts list and assembly directions to "do it right" from a led technology perspective .

And in regards to the rules causing obstruction ... it says "used"- if the intent is not there, mens rea, then there is no foul, IMHO.

[Coach Norm]

Originally Posted by purduephotog

Hi folks-

One of our student told me about this thread . I helped deploy team 3015 aspheric lenses Cree xre current regulated led aim point.

I'll provide a parts list and assembly directions to "do it right" from a led technology perspective .

And in regards to the rules causing obstruction ... it says "used"- if the intent is not there, mens rea, then there is no foul, IMHO.

Can you please share the parts list and instructions to do it right? Do you have any images that are produced using your method?

Thanks in advance.

[sconybeare]

To help clear up any concern over whether it's legal to have a really bright light, I'd like to make it clear that team 694 had a motorcycle headlight on the robot, and was so bright that the ref called us on it and made us take it off. We appealed to the FTA, and it went up to the GDC, who ruled that it was legal. So you can probably safely get up to the brightness of a motorcycle headlight without running into trouble with the rules.

[purduephotog]

Originally Posted by Coach Norm

Can you please share the parts list and instructions to do it right? Do you have any images that are produced using your method?

Thanks in advance.

Again, I am tardy. This is a note I put together for Rob, one of those super mentors. It has links to parts.

I did receive in my new parts but have not had time to do anything other than bake them...

http://dx.com/p/12834 50mm aspheric element

http://dx.com/p/15234 JST cables for power/hookup

http://dx.com/p/cree-xr-e-q5-emitter...8lm-at-1a-2394 Cree XR-E emitter on star; 228L at 1A; better choices now available.

http://dx.com/p/3-6v-9v-800ma-regula...ds-4-pack-3256 Constant current regulators 4 pack (pretty robust items)

Blue RTV silicone http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-80022.../dp/B0002UEOKK (Bought it at an auto parts store)

Heat sink- can be anything, really- aluminum and some heat sink paste http://www.newark.com/wakefield-solu...eon/dp/23T0742

I am not totally certain about the heatsink- it is one of the wakefield units, I just can't remember the standard dimensions. It fit inside the schedule 40 pipe after filing.

Everything else was just soldered together., JST connectors were used on the regulator. Regulator was potted with RTV silicone and wrapped in Kapton tape. Entire unit could get too hot, eventually, and I swear it isn't as bright as we started.

Personally ordered some XM-L on star CREE diodes to put on there and a 3A buck regulator to make it brighter- about 4x- but I don't think the parts will come in time.

A good little hack-it-together flashlight.

Sorry for the delay in responding, am TDY in Arkansas.

[purduephotog]

Originally Posted by Coach Norm

Can you please share the parts list and instructions to do it right? Do you have any images that are produced using your method?

Thanks in advance.

Again, I am tardy. This is a note I put together for Rob, one of those super mentors. It has links to parts.

I did receive in my new parts but have not had time to do anything other than bake them...

http://dx.com/p/12834 50mm aspheric element

http://dx.com/p/15234 JST cables for power/hookup

http://dx.com/p/cree-xr-e-q5-emitter...8lm-at-1a-2394 Cree XR-E emitter on star; 228L at 1A; better choices now available.

http://dx.com/p/3-6v-9v-800ma-regula...ds-4-pack-3256 Constant current regulators 4 pack (pretty robust items)

Blue RTV silicone http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-80022.../dp/B0002UEOKK (Bought it at an auto parts store)

Heat sink- can be anything, really- aluminum and some heat sink paste http://www.newark.com/wakefield-solu...eon/dp/23T0742

I am not totally certain about the heatsink- it is one of the wakefield units, I just can't remember the standard dimensions. It fit inside the schedule 40 pipe after filing.

Everything else was just soldered together., JST connectors were used on the regulator. Regulator was potted with RTV silicone and wrapped in Kapton tape. Entire unit could get too hot, eventually, and I swear it isn't as bright as we started.

Personally ordered some XM-L on star CREE diodes to put on there and a 3A buck regulator to make it brighter- about 4x- but I don't think the parts will come in time.

A good little hack-it-together flashlight.

Sorry for the delay in responding, am TDY in Arkansas.

[purduephotog]

There is a 78mm tumbler aspheric I am waiting for. The 66mm is much improved over the 50, but...dang... its big. Currently trying to get a 3d reprap or makerbot to knock out a holder instead of the PVC.

Oh, yes, you want to paint the inside of the tube the flattest black you can. You do not want spill - that blinds.