**FIRST EMAIL**/Fisher-Price Motor Information

[Jizvonius]

In terms of using the FP's to servo an arm mechanism, there is a definite issue with using the motor itself to hold the arm in a position(stalling the motor and allowing heat build up). Some systems, however, use other mechanisms(worm gear, ratchet,...some crazy new idea) to limit the back-driving or at least the torque reqired by the motor to prevent it. This limits the heat generation in the motor as it requires less current to hold position. If you are careful you can come relatively close to balancing the heat transfer out of the motor with the heat generation.

Long story short, FP's can power arm mechanisms very well but considerations must be made for the properties of the motor.

Regarding the FIRST email, the voltage limit will increase the chances of your FP's living for obvious heat generation reasons. Some teams run at 12V safely, many don't. If you are unsure and the FP's are integral parts of your robot's design, better to be safe then sorry.

BTW how about temp sensors on motors that control limiting voltage? (if you really want to squeeze all the power you can get with a smaller safety margin) You would need a reference temp for when you are close to burning out the motor but just at thought. Kinda like a smart heat sink/fan for your processor)