Spike Relay Replacement

[Coach Seb]

Does anyone know of a legal Spike Relay replacement device?

I understand the PCM module output, but looking for a "controllable voltage" output for this season.....

[marshall]

Originally Posted by Coach Seb

Does anyone know of a legal Spike Relay replacement device?

I understand the PCM module output, but looking for a "controllable voltage" output for this season.....

This:

http://www.ctr-electronics.com/gadge...er-module.html

Plus this:

http://www.ctr-electronics.com/breakoutmodule.html

And you'll need a cable between them and you still need to connect it to the RoboRIO's outputs with .1" cables.

You could also connect it to CAN via a HERO board:

http://www.ctr-electronics.com/hro.html

[Jon Stratis]

Ask again on Saturday when the rules are posted!

Until then, this would fall under the 2016 R52:

With the exception of servos, fans, or hard drive motors permitted in R29, each actuator must be controlled by a power regulating device. The only power regulating devices for actuators permitted on the ROBOT include:
A. Motor Controllers
i. Jaguar Motor Controller (P/N: MDL-BDC, MDL-BDC24, and 217-3367)
ii. SD540 Motor Controller (P/N: SD540x1, SD540x2, SD540x4, SD540Bx1, SD540Bx2, SD540Bx4)
iii. Spark Motor Controller (P/N: REV-11-1200)
iv. Talon Motor Controller (P/N: CTRE_Talon, CTRE_Talon_SR, and am-2195)
v. Talon SRX Motor Controller (P/N: 217-8080, am-2854, 14-838288), equipped with firmware version 0.28 or newer if using via PWM. See R70 if using via CAN.
vi. Victor 884 Motor Controller (P/N: VICTOR-884-12/12)
vii. Victor 888 Motor Controller (P/N: 217-2769)
viii. Victor SP Motor Controller (P/N: 217-9090, am-2855, 14-868380)
B. Relay Modules
i. Spike H-Bridge Relay (P/N: 217-0220 and SPIKE-RELAY-H)
C. Pneumatics controllers
i. Pneumatics Control Module (P/N: am-2858, 217-4243)

Any other power regulation (like what Marshall posted) would fall under the heading of a CUSTOM CIRCUIT, and per R55,

CUSTOM CIRCUITS shall not directly alter the power pathways between the ROBOT battery, PDP, motor controllers, relays, motors and actuators (per R28), pneumatic solenoid valves, or other elements of the ROBOT control system (items explicitly mentioned in R66).

So you can use other items to power things like LED's, but not any actuators, motors, solenoids... pretty much nothing that can cause movement on the robot.


I would STRONGLY expect similar rules this year. Look for them!

[GeeTwo]

For driving motors and other actuators, the list is pretty short; the spike is the only relay module available with enough current for the PGs and automotive motors. (OK, the compressor port on the PCM could do it, but I doubt the rules will allow it.)

For driving lights or other custom circuits, (provided the rules are much like recent years) you can use just about any suitably rated mechanical or solid state relay as long as it doesn't violate another rule somewhere. Google "12V relay module" and you can find dozens of inexpensive options for custom circuits.

[Team3337_mentor]

Could the PCM be used to control this servo? I used to mentor up until 2013 when the Spike H-Bridge Relay were still available, so I'm a bit lost as to the replacements for these.

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by Team3337_mentor

Could the PCM be used to control this servo? I used to mentor up until 2013 when the Spike H-Bridge Relay were still available, so I'm a bit lost as to the replacements for these.

You'd control a servo with a PWM output, not a Spike relay.
That servo would connect to a PWM output and an analog input (for the pot sensor)

[electroken]

Originally Posted by Coach Seb

Does anyone know of a legal Spike Relay replacement device?

I understand the PCM module output, but looking for a "controllable voltage" output for this season.....

I'm not sure I understand the question, but the roboRIO MXP port provides 2 0-5V analog outputs. Analog output 0 (AO0) is on pin 2 and analog output 1 (AO1) is on pin 4. I've never tried to use them, so YMMV.

[Team3337_mentor]

Thanks Mark. That helps.