Pneumatic Restrictions & Improvments

[JB987]

Thanks for finding relevant Q and A we used to guide our decision to have a back up system on hand Jon. Couldn't find it on Q and A forum... finally saw it on PDF And thanks for reminding others of the importance of flowing T8 and 10. Our back up system was mounted with primary compressor so both were inspected at same time. Still hate the vagaries of language when it comes to rules and interpretation and amazed at how many interpretations people can make from the same statement...

[nicholsjj]

I guess the only question I would have in regards to the on and off-board compressors is that is it really out of the realm of resources for most teams to accomplish in a safe manner that would give them any other advantage besides having a cooler on board compressor. Let's say that we could change the rules to teams using an on and off-board air compressor in their pneumatic system as long as both compressors are the exact same cost components and they follows all other pneumatic rules. All the teams would have to add to their system is andymark part am-2186 ($4) to where their current pressure switch is along with am-2257 ($3.50) in order to have a way of plumbing safely to their current system from an off-board compressor. The team could also have to wire their robot to have the ability to transfer their spike's power output from the on board compressor to the off board one as well. The last item a team would need would be the extra compressor, and let's assume that since the team doesn't have the extra resources to already go out and purchase something other than the now First Choice Viair then that will be the one they have to purchase at ($69). I will assume that the team will have extra pneumatic tubing available to plug into the close off valve. So to keep a system that doesn't burn a person's hand when they are transporting the robot on and off the field a team would need less money than what is needed for one double solenoid and the ability to mount a spike where it can power both compressors. Now is their anything I'm missing here that could become a more dangerous pneumatic that before or too much of a competitive advantage that a small team couldn't over come resource or knowledge wise. I just really don't like hot compressors and with short turn around times for teams I think allowing an extra off board compressor to help that situation would be beneficial in fixing that problem.

Note I really respect the decisions by very great people that go into making the rules and I just would like to see if this can get looked at a bit more.