Demonstration Robot Alternative to Spike Relay

[Qbot2640]

Originally Posted by Kevin Sevcik

Define "work just as well". If you're looking for something with the same current rating, 5V inputs, and you don't want to bodge 3-4 individual SPDT relays into something like an H-bridge, then I don't think there's actually anything available that's cheaper than the Spike. There's some multi-channel relay boards, but you'd have to rig up 4 of the channels on there to turn it into a Spike equivalent.

Good point - For me I'd like it to operate without a code change...but I wouldn't mind possibly some wiring tweaks. 2013 we could run without pneumatics, because that was just used for the hang...and we won't demonstrate that, but the three motors on individual spikes would be nice to replace with a single, higher capacity relay. 2014 had only our pneumatics on spikes. We never bothered with the pneumatics breakout board...maybe now is the time (even though it's obsolete). I guess we're going to have to re-program anyway so we don't have to maintain old driver stations to run them.