Fuse Box Mounting

[Pat C.]

I am on the electronics team at Carmel High school, and we have an itching question. Are we allowed to directly mount the fuse box to aluminum or does the aluminum have to be insulated? A quick reply would be appreciated so tha we don't have to completely change all the wiring of our bot. Thanks.

Pat.

[rust710]

I think as long and no current gets to the aluminum you can mount it directly. That is what our team did.

[Jferrante]

you can legally mount it directly to the metal, however your better off putting a thin piece of wood or lexan inbetween, just incase a wire comes loose.

[illumanat'i]

you can basically do whatever you want with wiring and electronincs, the only thing i've seen specified as needing insulation is the light... there is a rule that the robot frame can't be grounded, so better safe then sorry i'd say

[Josh Hambright]

just get out a handy dandy continuity tester and check to make sure its not grounding to the robot chasis and you should be alright if its not.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Pat,
This requires a little more than a simple explanation. If you are talking about the 12 way breaker panel, there are mounting holes built in that are protected (insulated) from the block and no special material is needed. (I think #8 hardware works here or ty-wraps)
If you are talking about the new 40 amp block, it also can be mounted right on the frame but you must be careful. There is a tab sticking out the back that was designed to fit into a slot you can use that for one attachment point. Then on the opposite end of the block there is a protected (shoulder) hole for a mounting bolt. Do not use the attachment point for the electrical tie in for mounting purposes. I am recommending that teams be very careful when using this new block, (use an insulator under the electrical bolt to insure it does not contact the frame) and to mount it in a protected area where another robot won't accidentally contact the block during comp.