[FTC]: FTC: Electrical Tips

[paul lathrop]

Teams,

We are wrapping up our robot for the 2015 season and want to make sure that we are being as proactive as possible when it comes to avoiding static and cable management.

Currently, we are planning on attaching the controllers to either 3d printed or plexiglass walls with nuts and bolts.

As far as cable management, we have used cable ties and iGus wire wraps but are looking for more of a spiral cabling that condenses down as the arm lowers.

Can anyone provide guidance, suppliers, and tips to eliminate as much static potential as possible?

Thanks,

Paul

[Greg Needel]

Years ago for FRC we bought some coiled pnumatic tubing like this http://www.freelin-wade.com/coiled-tubing-hoses.html cut the fittings off and ran our wires through it. Not only did it act as a protector for wires but was very useful for an elevator for wire management ( the main reason we tried it). The big negative is the lack of serviceability if something goes wrong inside the tube but it might just do the trick for you.

Also you will need to check FTC legality. While I think it would be legal, it is never bad to do a Q&A on it.

[FRC Team CC]

We actually had the wires go through the holes on the TETRIX bars. If you are attaching the controllers on plexiglass plates, you can use zipties to keep all of the wires together.

Hope that helped.

Thanks,
Charging Champions

charging.champions@gmail.com
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[Al Skierkiewicz]

FTC teams need to remember that the Samantha module is a high priority on electrical wiring. It should be the first thing in line following the power switch. While this is not a rule yet, (it should be) this is one of the main reasons teams disconnect on a regular basis. The trend is to wire the Samantha at the last motor controller. Doing this essentially guarantees a Samantha module brownout. The FTC Robot Wiring Guide (p.18 and has a few examples of Anderson power distribution devices. I highly recommend the use of one of these. Although I am partial to the West Mountain Radio products any of them work well. Use one of the outputs to feed the Samantha module.
Checkout other options at
http://www.powerwerx.com/powerpole-power-distribution/
You can obtain these at other outlets if you search
In addition to that, while also not a rule, make it your team's wiring rule to use #16 for all power wiring. From the power switch to all motor and servo controllers. This will insure that you get the power needed to satisfy your motion calculations. Smaller wire will obviously drop more voltage and that will reduce the amount of power available for your motors.

[Andrew Rudolph]

As always Al is way right about the samantha module. I also like using the Wago Lever nuts, but the anderson connectors are best but require a bit more work.

Another thing I see that lots of teams overlook is giving some support to the usb connector on the bottom of the samantha, its just soldered on to the pcb, so just putting a bolt and nut or two under the connector so its not cantilevered can extend the life of your samantha. This is especially key if you have a first gen samantha as they failed quite often this way.

Here in Florida we dont see much static issues because of our very high humidity, but in the newest wiring guide they recommend using a USB surge protector to help with this.

Its worth reading the newer guide much of what we have talked about in this thread is in there:
http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default...ring_Guide.pdf