Maxi 40 Amp Fuse Panel

[mtrawls]

Our team did not receive the Maxi 40 Amp Fuse panel in our KOP -- we mistakenly got 2 of the low amp fuse panels. We contacted FIRST, but haven't yet received a response, and, as it is somewhat important to move forward, have purchased one elsewhere. (It is brass and very heavy .) Anyway, each fuse accept a different input power source, and we have to, therefore, split the power coming from the 6 AWG wire from the fuse breaker into 4 to power it. I just wanted to make sure all this is legal, i.e., using a different fuse panel than that provided in the kit (granted that none was provided in ours). I didn't see anything immediately applicable from a glance at the electronics/wiring section. Thank you.

[Matthew_H]

Originally Posted by mtrawls

Our team did not receive the Maxi 40 Amp Fuse panel in our KOP -- we mistakenly got 2 of the low amp fuse panels. We contacted FIRST, but haven't yet received a response, and, as it is somewhat important to move forward, have purchased one elsewhere. (It is brass and very heavy .) Anyway, each fuse accept a different input power source, and we have to, therefore, split the power coming from the 6 AWG wire from the fuse breaker into 4 to power it. I just wanted to make sure all this is legal, i.e., using a different fuse panel than that provided in the kit (granted that none was provided in ours). I didn't see anything immediately applicable from a glance at the electronics/wiring section. Thank you.

I believe that that would not be leagal. We are still waiting for our replacment Maxi 40amp Fuse Panel. I am hoping it will be in tommorrow since FIRST said all Critical parts should be delivered to us by the 2/4/04. Has any other team recieved thier replacement.

[Jeremy_Mc]

Originally Posted by mtrawls

Our team did not receive the Maxi 40 Amp Fuse panel in our KOP -- we mistakenly got 2 of the low amp fuse panels. We contacted FIRST, but haven't yet received a response, and, as it is somewhat important to move forward, have purchased one elsewhere. (It is brass and very heavy .) Anyway, each fuse accept a different input power source, and we have to, therefore, split the power coming from the 6 AWG wire from the fuse breaker into 4 to power it. I just wanted to make sure all this is legal, i.e., using a different fuse panel than that provided in the kit (granted that none was provided in ours). I didn't see anything immediately applicable from a glance at the electronics/wiring section. Thank you.

I don't know if they would consider that something that's providing power to the robot other than something they've designated.

It's time for a FIRST Q&A post I guess!

[Joe Johnson]

If you really want to get the fuse holders you can buy them. They are not cheap, but they are not outrageous either($10 each).


SoundDomain.com sells them. Below is a link to the page to buy them.

http://www.sounddomain.com/sku/STISFB1MAX

Hope this helps.

Joe J.

[JRHaddock]

You need to check the power distribution diagram again. The wiring to the 40 Amp breaker panel is #10. The #6 wire from the main disconnect branches down to #10 at the power distribution block.

[mtrawls]

Originally Posted by JRHaddock

You need to check the power distribution diagram again. The wiring to the 40 Amp breaker panel is #10. The #6 wire from the main disconnect branches down to #10 at the power distribution block.

Yes, my mistake. I was typing too fast and thinking about other things ...

Originally Posted by Joe Johnson

If you really want to get the fuse holders you can buy them. They are not cheap, but they are not outrageous either($10 each).

Yes, we *did* buy them. We got a one with 4 connections that looks similar to the one you posted. The question I have is only about the legality of using this, since it is not the same as that provided in the kit (though it pretty much is).

[Greg McCoy]

I believe that you were supposed to get two Buss ATC fuse panels in your kit.

Are you absolutely sure that you didn't get one, because I was thinking that it's kind of in a wierd place, like with stuff that you wouldn't expect, and it looks kinda funny too...

Originally Posted by Greg McCoy

I believe that you were supposed to get two Buss ATC fuse panels in your kit.

Are you absolutely sure that you didn't get one, because I was thinking that it's kind of in a wierd place, like with stuff that you wouldn't expect, and it looks kinda funny too...

As Greg said, it was in a wierd place. We found ours in the cardboard box that came with our kit that included a bunch of documentation, CDs for various things and the Microsoft stuff.

[Joe Johnson]

Originally Posted by mtrawls

...Yes, we *did* buy them. We got a one with 4 connections that looks similar to the one you posted. The question I have is only about the legality of using this, since it is not the same as that provided in the kit (though it pretty much is)....

What is different? I think the only difference between the models of these fuse holders is the plating on the metal inside. Some are Platinum, some are gold, and some are some other metal I don't recall. To be honest, I don't know which ones are in the kit. But you should be able to order the right ones.

As to legality of using them, I suppose that techically they should be the EXACT same models, but since FIRST seems to have allowed a TOTALLY different fuse holder from Terminal Supply in a recent update, I can't seem to get my undies all in a bunch about the plating on the terminals of the fuse holder.

I say use them.

Joe J.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

First has posted the part number and functional equivalents. Yes they are solid brass and yes they are VERY HEAVY. As pointed out above, the #6 to #10 transition block needs to be wired between the main circuit breaker and the Maxi fuse block. Refer to the elctrical blueprint. Be sure to get the #10 wires connected to this block, in a good electrical contact. High resistance here means heat and a loss of power delivered to the motors.

[mtrawls]

Originally Posted by Joe Johnson

What is different?
...
I say use them.

Well, the only real difference is that on the 40 A fuse panel they provide (as it is on the low amp panel they gave us), there was a single place to put the power from the circuit breaker, and all the fuses used that single source. On this model, all the fuses have individual slots for incoming power and output. Now I'm just a poor, simple programmer, not too bright in terms of electronics, and didn't really know if splitting the wire to go into each block would be considered bad. I figured it would be alright ... but double checking never hurts.

Thanks for your input, all.

As Greg said, it was in a wierd place. We found ours in the cardboard box that came with our kit that included a bunch of documentation, CDs for various things and the Microsoft stuff.

Well, I've torn both boxes and our construction room upside down many a time, and still haven't located it. As I said, though, they included *2* of the low amp fuse panels (the 40 A fuses won't fit in it), so I figure they just put 2 of the same in by mistake and thought they had given us both types.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by mtrawls

On this model, all the fuses have individual slots for incoming power and output.

As I said, though, they included *2* of the low amp fuse panels (the 40 A fuses won't fit in it), so I figure they just put 2 of the same in by mistake and thought they had given us both types.

Our version (received last Friday) is four individual circuits.
The KOP list does give you 2 of the low amp panels.

[Joe Johnson]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Our version (received last Friday) is four individual circuits.

Ditto

[Matthew_H]

The übergeeks recieved thier Maxi Fuse Panel replacement today. Hopefully everyone else did also.

[Joe Johnson]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

First has posted the part number and functional equivalents. Yes they are solid brass and yes they are VERY HEAVY. As pointed out above, the #6 to #10 transition block needs to be wired between the main circuit breaker and the Maxi fuse block. ....

Are you sure that the part number they gave is the "functional equivalent" of the parts in the kit? I seriously doubt it. I am on their mailing list and I often go to there local branch to buy stuff. I have never seen anything like the Stinger Maxi Fuse holder in their building. I think they are probably refering to a Maxi Fuse holder they sell made by Littlefuse or Bussman. -- Littlefuse I think it looks like this:

The Littlefuse part number is:maxi 152 913 and a PDF spec sheet is here:

http://www.littlefuse.com/PDFs/Products/mfilf.pdf

From Update #4:
Terminal Supply Co, Troy, MI, has some that are equivalent to ours, but a different brand. Their part number is JEF-531-D, Maxi Fuse Block

Now I am curious, I will stop by on my way up to work on the robot tonight.

Stay tuned.

Joe J.