More than one power distribution board

[BEN35678]

Is it legal to have more than one power distribution board?

[z_beeblebrox]

R35:

The one ROBOT battery, Anderson Power Products (or APP) Connectors (p/n SB50), the one main 120-amp (120A) circuit breaker (Cooper Bussman P/N: CB185-120), and the one Power Distribution (PD) Board shall be connected as shown in Figure 4-11.

[kevin.li.rit]

So what rule would prohibit him from hooking up the 2nd PD board via a 40 AMP breaker slot?

Not that I'm suggesting it or that it'd would be useful (since you wouldn't be able to attach anything to it per r51 either).

[EricH]

Originally Posted by kevin.li.rit

So what rule would prohibit him from hooking up the 2nd PD board via a 40 AMP breaker slot?

Not that I'm suggesting it or that it'd would be useful.

If pressed, and depending on the exact setup, I could probably justify dinging him on an R53 violation (custom circuits shall not directly alter the power pathways--this is a pretty massive branch circuit that routes power Battery->Breaker->PD Main->PD Secondary->OTHER circuits). Possibly, depending what all was connected to the 2nd board, a safety issue as well.

The counter to this is the R44 blue box--you'd be doing a multi-point distribution of circuit power, and each circuit just happens to have its own breaker, which last is allowed. (BTW, Ben, if you're running out of slots, take a good look at the blue box and see if you can't figure out a legal way to take advantage of its provisions.)


On the other hand, the word "THE" is used an awful lot with respect to PD boards on the robot. "The" is a singular word...

[Al Skierkiewicz]

One and only one please per R35. The battery and wiring can only deliver so much current before parts start to fail.

[zbrozek]

Is there any chance I can volunteer to make a better power power distribution board for FRC? The provided one has less-than-deluxe connectors and is huge compared to what it accomplishes. I'm an electrical engineer and have built plenty of battery distribution hardware for the automotive industry.

The last time I tried to contact FRC about making a nice piece of hardware for the kit of parts I never got a response. Presumably there's a better contact address than the info link on the website?

[amesmich]

Originally Posted by zbrozek

The provided one has less-than-deluxe connectors and is huge compared to what it accomplishes.

I am in full agreement.

[Gdeaver]

Have there been any failures or problems that would justify the cost of a redesign? We have no problems withe PDB.

[magnets]

Next year, with the new control system we'll be getting a small power distribution board.

I agree with the connectors part, those WAGO things are awful, but I do like the current board. You get three really solid power supplies(5, 12, 24 V) that won't drop out, even at super low voltage. It's way better than the old one where you had to use a backup battery that you had to either get the charging thing for it, or remember to charge it before your matches. It was not a great solution.

[tr6scott]

http://www.fightingpi.org/Resources/...%20Panel.shtml

Fighting Pi has alpha data on the 2015 PDB if interested.

Cross the Road E is developing.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by zbrozek

The provided one has less-than-deluxe connectors...

Originally Posted by magnets

I agree with the connectors part, those WAGO things are awful...

What specifically do you think is wrong with the Wago connectors? I find them amazingly convenient, capable, and reliable.

[SoftwareBug2.0]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

What specifically do you think is wrong with the Wago connectors? I find them amazingly convenient, capable, and reliable.

It requires a specialized tool to use and the intuitive way to use that tool is likely to break something.

[geomapguy]

Originally Posted by SoftwareBug2.0

It requires a specialized tool to use and the intuitive way to use that tool is likely to break something.

You can just use a flathead screwdriver

[MrBasse]

Originally Posted by SoftwareBug2.0

It requires a specialized tool to use and the intuitive way to use that tool is likely to break something.

We have abused ours pretty well for several years and never broken one.

[geomapguy]

Originally Posted by MrBasse

We have abused ours pretty well for several years and never broken one.

Is there really a WAGO tool????