How does this robot have addressable LEDs still running when disabled?

[FrankJ]

Originally Posted by NathanCJohnson

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We don't have any spikes but might get one if it really isn't good to power LEDs through the PCM. The inspector didn't say anything about it though.

Realize the inspectors have varying backgrounds. Some are more versed on electronics than others. The main function of the inspectors is to make sure your robot is relatively safe and meets the rules.

Is it legal just to use an NPN transistor to drive the LED strip? drive the transistor from the DIO on the roborio. power form a fused output on PDB.

That would be a custom circuit. As long as it meets the rules for custom circuits, it is legal.

[Mschmeh144]

Team 144 uses pololu strips and a arduino uno ( sunfounder uno to be exact), the arduino will continue adressing the strips even if there is no input from the roboRio. The arduino will default to the last used command or color I believe once the robot is disabled. Our robot does this too, but it doesn't do the "rainbow" unless the elevator is at the top when it's disabled, otherwise it just locks in at the solid color it was at ( our lights color code to the height of our elevator, and change accordingly )

Edit: I'm currently working on a project like this, but for the older 2014 bot.