Pre-charging pneumatic air tank

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I posted this elsewhere but here goes...

From the Robot Rules Preamble
"In addition, another intent of these rules is to have all energy sources and active actuation systems on the
ROBOT (e.g. batteries, compressors, motors, servos, cylinders, and their controllers) drawn from a
well-defined set of options. This is to ensure that all Teams have access to the same actuation resources,
and to ensure that the Inspectors are able to accurately assess the legality of a given part."

Many of the same statements are said of the 12 volt battery. i.e.How bad can it get, it's only 12 volts? 12 volts won't kill you! A small battery can't possibly be an issue, it's not like a car battery?!?! The truth is what you don't know can hurt you in both of these cases. Above all we want to provide information that is both useful and safe for our students. Run the numbers for yourself. What force will a 2" cylinder produce at 60 psi, at 90, at 120 at 150?

[Jaxom]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Many of the same statements are said of the 12 volt battery. i.e.How bad can it get, it's only 12 volts? 12 volts won't kill you! A small battery can't possibly be an issue, it's not like a car battery?!?! The truth is what you don't know can hurt you in both of these cases.

I didn't get a chance to tell Al this at CIR, but it's worth adding to this thread. Al told his inspectors about the possibility of the FRC batteries having enough current to weld a tool to the terminals. I didn't doubt him in the slightest -- I suspect Al's personally seen about 95% of the problems that have happened to a FRC robot -- so I filed that info away for future use. One of the teams I inspected had several batteries that needed to have insulation added to the terminals. I told them about the possibility of the weld & they said "we know; we've done that."

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Jaxom

One of the teams I inspected had several batteries that needed to have insulation added to the terminals. I told them about the possibility of the weld & they said "we know; we've done that."

And yet they still didn't insulate their terminals.

[Jaxom]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

And yet they still didn't insulate their terminals.

Actually, they weren't that bad. They only had one where the insulation had slipped a little, and one where they hadn't put on the insulation yet. I was probably a bit quick with my "Al told me about a weld" speech; they knew they needed to insulate and had it in the plan. But it was a good thing; now I have a personal 2nd-hand weld reference to use in the future, instead of a 3rd hand from you.

[Bill_B]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

And yet they still didn't insulate their terminals.

I nearly had the opportunity to demonstrate how the Anderson battery connector could be sequentially and safely disassembled to allow the installation of these heat shrink insulators for the terminals. Unbolting the battery terminal would not be required and this pair of shrinkers can cover the usual terminal lugs and bolts even if they are wrapped in electrical tape. Other urgent matters came up to interfere with the educational session. Perhaps I will get a tripod and make a video after CMP sometime. Use of this thick insulator will reduce the "welding" risk substantially.