Neat & Organised Electric Wiring

[NoodleKnight]

For the time I've been on my team, we never really had neat and organized wires. During 2004 we attempted to nicely sort out the wires, but later we ripped all the organized wires while hastily trying to repair our drivetrain....
but anyways, I remember seeing 968's robot with their very neat wiring: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/pi...gle&picid=6476

[Steve W]

Layout is very important, Here is a link to how we laid out out Victors, wiring block etc

http://www.swarren.ca/Build2004photo.../IMG_0820.html

I didn't have a pic of our final wiring but what we did was channel all of our wires. The direct route is not always the neatest. Take your time, plan ahead and pretend that it is art. If you do, not only will it be neat but easier to follow. If you would like to come visit us let me know.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

If you haven't done so check out the picture Steve links to above. In addition to starting out very neat, all of the power devices are fairly close together. This keep wire runs short (more power to the motors) and has less weight than spreading them all over. (Steve, I may like to use your photo as demo example. Would that be OK?)
Venkatesh, I think you mean #10, that is the minimum wire size for most of the motors and power to speed controllers. #10 Zip cord, colored red and black, is available in spools from Newark. It is fairly flexible, easily routed through mechanical stuff and quick to terminate. Follow Venkatesh's advice for soldering all crimped connectors. I know it sounds like suspenders and a belt but you can't play if you don't work.
Color coding is easy with 3m EIA colored tape, available from Digikey. This comes in rolls of ten colors, I think 3-5 yards of each. We wrap each wire from power distro to speed controller, from speed controller to motor, PWM cable, circuit breaker and CB location. position on RC and spike or victor. With one glance you can see which PWM cable on which RC output feeds which speed control or spike which in turn feeds which motor and know which circuit breaker to pull to disable the circuit or which one to put back when you have removed them for troubleshooting.

[sanddrag]

Use finely stranded wire so you can get nice contours and bends. In particular, I've always thought that the 6 gauge wire provided in the kit is absolutely aweful because it is not finely stranded at all and is very stiff. Spend the money to get some nicer wire (less resistance too)

Also, those sticky backed zip tie "mounts" will come in handy for securing wires.

Last, wire wrap of some sort often (available at auto parts store or maybe hardware store) does a nice job of tidying up things and works great in a situation like a flexible joint of an arm. The stuff is black plastic tube with a slit down one side.

Even though this isnt a neatness issue, this is very important too, make sure you use the correct sized wire for each particu

From the 2004 game FIRST Checklist (Check new rules for updates to this, obviously)

Originally Posted by Rule 5.2.6-R21
5.2.7.1-R44

#6 wire from battery (+ and -) to Anderson Disconnect and to
main circuit breaker, junction blocks and circuit breaker
panels

Originally Posted by Rule 5.2.7.1-R45

#10 wire minimum from breaker panel to speed controllers
for CIM, Drill, van door, Globe, and F-P motors.

Originally Posted by Rule 5.2.7.1-R47
5.2.7.1-R49

#16 wire minimum to Robot Controller power, solenoid
valves, window motors, relay modules, compressor, large
muffin fan.

Originally Posted by Rule 5.2.7.1-R48

#24 wire minimum from switches, PWM cables, sensors,
potentiometers, small muffin fans, custom circuits, and
LED’s.

[Steve W]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

If you haven't done so check out the picture Steve links to above. In addition to starting out very neat, all of the power devices are fairly close together. This keep wire runs short (more power to the motors) and has less weight than spreading them all over. (Steve, I may like to use your photo as demo example. Would that be OK?)

Yes, I am glad we can be of help. If I can get a pic of our wiring I will post it here.