Boiler interaction videos or comments?

[Leav]

Hi,

I feel like we are missing vital information to properly choose our strategy: how much fuel can the boiler hold?

There is already a thread about this here, but besides speculation there is very little info and the Field CAD file does not include the boiler innards.

Would appreciate feedback from teams who had a field at their kickoff venue! video, photos, or anecdotal comments welcome!

1. How many balls fit if you place them gently, one by one, while the motor in the boiler is off?
2. How many balls fit if you dump a tote of balls into the chute? This is really an answer that doesn't have to be accurate but a rough estimate would do well!
3. (Both questions relevant to the top and lower boiler openings)

Teams who had a field at kickoff have a sizeable advantage in determining their strategy.

The fact the the Boiler videos (First and second do not have the finished boiler (different back, different inner gear) makes it that much more difficult.

-Leav

[MikLast]

photo courtesy of Team 509

[Ogehsim]

All of 2877's boiler pics from NH:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ligerbots/32171115275/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ligerbots/31362060303/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ligerbots/31797416020/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ligerbots/31797414360/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ligerbots/31362060553/

[Leav]

Thanks Mikal & Ogehsim for posting! adding the two photos Mark McLeod posted:

https://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/a...0&d=1483887857

https://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/a...5&d=1483846138

[Abrakadabra]

Note that the boiler in NH did not have the top plate that surrounds the lexan ring and prevents balls from getting stuck in the sides. Such a plate is clearly visible at about 0:35 in the Boiler field tour video. It would be nice to have clarification from FIRST on what the real configuration will be.

[Leav]

FIRST has release some more photos, on the FRC facebook page.

[mman1506]

Just a comment but the BAG+VP they are using in the kickoff field photos for the bin loading elevator looks to be different from the motor in the loading lanes video which looks like an AM planetary (notice the belt pulley ratio also). I bring this up as I am surprised to see the use of vex parts on the field as traditionally the fields custom game specific components often feature AM parts (lots of churro notably). The field was also not functioning at the kickoff.

Purely speculation but considering the point value of the fuel they expect that teams will be able be to score very rapidly. The change of motor might suggest that they have been having issues with overflowing during their testing and have been trying to increase the output of the "serializer" mechanism to compensate for this. In 2013 we occasionally saw a similar issue with overflow towards the end of the season and I wouldn't be surprised if overflow was a common occurrence at a high level this year especially since they mentioned it in the field tour videos.