LEDs on our FRC Competiton robot

[nHoude]

Originally Posted by weaversam8

If your LEDs are 12 Volts, I would recommend powering them off of the new voltage control module. It has a place for 12V 500mA, which was plenty to power our LED light ring for our camera. Also, could you link where you are getting the LEDs? Our team is investigating underglow.

P.S. Whatever you do, make sure that any decorations on your robot cannot be seen as a vision target by other robots, or designed to distract other drivers. Those things are against the rules.

Just a few things to clarify then.
1. It is a Voltage REGULATOR Module (VRM) ;P

2. Although the VRM uses a 12V port, the PCM also has 12V or 24V solenoid outputs. Normally, yes you would use the VCM, but I personally like the ability to control the LEDs through the PCM. The VRM has a constant output, but the output on the PCM is controllable. With some code, you can have LEDs that can turn on/off. The LEDs would be plugged into the solenoid ports, and you would be able to toggle the LEDs with modified solenoid code.
Obviously with the camera LED ring, use the VRM. If you wanted a LED underglow that could be turned off and on use the PCM.
{PLEASE NOTE: This is not necessary. If you want the LEDs on all the time, you should use the VRM. If you are worried about breaking the LEDs use the VRM. If you are not sure, use the VRM. I only brought this up as a simple workaround if you wanted some simple control of the LEDs, especially in the preseason.}

3. I think you misunderstood me when i mentioned giving feedback to the drivers. We do not have this massive spotlight LED ring that blinds or distracts anyone. We were simply able to change the color of the LEDs in our pickup to match the angle the shooter was at. It was no further a distraction than just normal LEDs, and allowed our drivers to quickly realize if they had pressed the wrong button and were at the wrong angle, as well as basically having the robot give the OK that it had stopped moving and we could fire the shot.

4. As for what LEDs we used, I do not remember specifics. What I can tell you is that there are many many options out there. Every team is different, and one team's plans may not work with other teams. My advice to you is to make sure you know the length, brightness, color (or color changing), and go through to find one with good reviews for a reasonable price.

[weaversam8]

Originally Posted by nHoude

1. It is a Voltage REGULATOR Module (VRM) ;P

Oops, my bad.

Originally Posted by nHoude

2. Although the VRM uses a 12V port, the PCM also has 12V or 24V solenoid outputs. Normally, yes you would use the VCM, but I personally like the ability to control the LEDs through the PCM. The VRM has a constant output, but the output on the PCM is controllable. With some code, you can have LEDs that can turn on/off. The LEDs would be plugged into the solenoid ports, and you would be able to toggle the LEDs with modified solenoid code.
Obviously with the camera LED ring, use the VRM. If you wanted a LED underglow that could be turned off and on use the PCM.
{PLEASE NOTE: This is not necessary. If you want the LEDs on all the time, you should use the VRM. If you are worried about breaking the LEDs use the VRM. If you are not sure, use the VRM. I only brought this up as a simple workaround if you wanted some simple control of the LEDs, especially in the preseason.}

Yes, I agree with you. The PCM can toggle, I was just sharing what our team did for our LED ring.

Originally Posted by nHoude

3. I think you misunderstood me when i mentioned giving feedback to the drivers. We do not have this massive spotlight LED ring that blinds or distracts anyone. We were simply able to change the color of the LEDs in our pickup to match the angle the shooter was at. It was no further a distraction than just normal LEDs, and allowed our drivers to quickly realize if they had pressed the wrong button and were at the wrong angle, as well as basically having the robot give the OK that it had stopped moving and we could fire the shot.

Oh no, I didn't think that your team did anything to distract the drivers, I understood what you were saying the whole time (a great idea BTW, I ordered 2 meters of addressable LED strands for that purpose,) I was merely stating that to remind anyone who might be reading this thread.

Originally Posted by nHoude

4. As for what LEDs we used, I do not remember specifics. What I can tell you is that there are many many options out there. Every team is different, and one team's plans may not work with other teams. My advice to you is to make sure you know the length, brightness, color (or color changing), and go through to find one with good reviews for a reasonable price.

Cool, thanks. I just ordered some that I was happy with.

[nHoude]

Originally Posted by weaversam8

Cool, thanks. I just ordered some that I was happy with.

Great! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!