Window Motors Overheat And Cut

[Kevin Leonard]

Originally Posted by sasha831

Hello,

We have 2 window wiper motors controlling an up/down arm.
However, once in a while the motor's overheat and cut out for a bit(No more then 30 sec, haven't measures exactly). This is detrimental to our robot's performance. Is there any way, mechanically, electrically or in software that this can be fixed. Keep in mind that we only have one day to alter this, when we get our robot at the regional.

Sasha

In general I would use a stronger motor for controlling an arm. Window motors aren't the most reliable equipment.

[Duncan Macdonald]

Quick fixes that don't involve replacement:
Find a way to cool the motors. (add fans or get a can of compressed gas for in between matches)
Make sure your arm is neutrally balanced to reduce the load on the motors. There was a theory that jaguars didn't work well with window motors, not sure if this is true.
If you are controlling the arm with any sort of feedback make sure the motors aren't continuously running to maintain position. (Add a large deadband)

As others have said, this is what window motors do when under load. Replace them if you can.