Breaker Panel not in this years kit?

[Rickertsen2]

Originally Posted by Andrew Blair

All, right. Both my threads on FIRST Q&A were killed before I got any answer (This was before the password activation, so I guess it makes sense), so can someone with a password please post a question concerning this matter on Q&A?

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!

[KTorak]

I really really dislike the older style distribution stuff that we got this year, I thought that last years distribution panel was really nice...everything was one nice, neat, central location that didnt compromise valuable space for mounting victors and other electronic devices.

[ChuckDickerson]

For what it's worth the bottom of the main IFI webpage says " Breaker Panel can be used in place of Kit Parts in the 2006 FIRST Competition". I am going to assume that this is true and if we HAVE to use the stuff that came in the kit as well then we will just screw it down somewhere and not use it.

[Shu Song]

Don't think we ever HAVE to use a certain part, unless it's something essential like an RC. We are ordering another breaker panel from last year and using it, because I hate to move back to parts that are heavier, more clunky, makes more of a mess.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Shu Song

Don't think we ever HAVE to use a certain part, unless it's something essential like an RC.

You must follow the robot rules until they are modified or replaced by a Team Update. I expect this to be modified, just be patient.

[BlazinFire47]

well i found a better use for the distro-block for our team. i used it in the build for the green cathode light box for our practice field. ill post a picture of it in the gallery for everyone to c.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Blaze,
Please remember that if you use the Maxi block fuse blocks then you must use the power distribution block for power returns.

[BlazinFire47]

yes that is true but not forgotten. im using the automotive style distro-block. im one of the team members that does the wiring on the robot. i'm teaching others to wire properly becasue this is my last year on the team as a student.mnay may not notice but i posted a picture of the cathode light box that i built and they will be able to see how it was done. one side was for positive terminals which i added a 20 amp fuse for safety messures(i could go lower, it only draws around 1 amp of wattage to power all 8 cathode lights and 2 fans) and the other side is negative while the center is left unused.. it looks nice and the automotive distro-block made things much easier.

[emusteve]

For my part, I'm not overly disappointed. It took up more space than we wanted to use, and I can already figure out which breaker tripped. Now if they want to add current sensing capability to the thing, THAT would be usefull!

Steve

[Excelsior]

I would really like to use a distro block like last years. It was nice and compact, but very well functional. I'll keep an eye out for any clarification.

[Andrew Blair]

Okay, it turns out they revived one of my threads ( I wonder how they turn them on and off?) and I got a definitive yes. The rule in question is being modified.


http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread...ighlight=panel

[Michael Hill]

I don't know if you guys have checked, but in Team Update #2, they address this and allow us to use last year's power scheme.

4. Update to Rule 54 – the change allows the robot DC Power to be configured using the Fuse distribution panels supplied in the 2006, or to use the IFI Distribution panel from last year’s kit.

The EX18-12 Battery, the Main 120 Amp Circuit Breaker, and the Circuit Breaker distribution panels must be connected as shown in the 2006 ( or optionally) as in the 2005 diagrams shown below. The EX18-12 Battery must use the Anderson Connector. …. ….