Durability of Vision Target

[geeknerd99]

We accidentally left our vision target on for about 6 hours today, and we also accidentally hit it with a launched poof ball a few days ago. Soon enough today, we realized that the cathodes in the box weren't aligned in parallel anymore.

Well, we got it down, and we discovered that the heat from leaving it on so long combined possibly with the shock that it sustained a while back has caused some of the ahesive to... become somewhat melted. So, I was there trying to realign a bunch of hot cold cathodes that had their ends covered in molten adhesive.

Anyone else had this problem yet? And what's this situation going to be like when the competitions roll around?

[Eldarion]

Originally Posted by geeknerd99

We accidentally left our vision target on for about 6 hours today, and we also accidentally hit it with a launched poof ball a few days ago. Soon enough today, we realized that the cathodes in the box weren't aligned in parallel anymore.

Well, we got it down, and we discovered that the heat from leaving it on so long combined possibly with the shock that it sustained a while back has caused some of the ahesive to... become somewhat melted. So, I was there trying to realign a bunch of hot cold cathodes that had their ends covered in molten adhesive.

Anyone else had this problem yet? And what's this situation going to be like when the competitions roll around?

Yes, we have that problem.

We just left them all crooked; it shouldn't make a difference.

[nehalita]

We noticed when we were testing the camera and left the light on that the plastic started to melt but simply stopped it then to prevent the further meltage.
I have no idea how they're going to deal with it at the regionals... at best the color isn't effected but they'll have to change it out sometime or another.

[Donut]

Balls hitting it shouldn't be a problem. We've hit our light with at least 10 balls already.

I don't know how much the heat will effect it. Ours is built inside a cardboard box and aluminum foil.

[JulieB]

Some how ours fell of a shelf I really didn't understand how ??!?!??!
So had to buy new tubes. $80.00

[Cory]

Isn't there supposed to be a fan in the vision target box?

I assume those of you who are having heat problems aren't using such a fan?

[Michelle Celio]

We had our box on for about an hour, but then again we attached it with hot glue, but it all just like fell. It is now held to gether with Duck tape and Zip Ties

[Donut]

Ours is held on by duct tape. One side sometimes comes off, but that's because the duct tape on that side isn't long enough.

The fans do help. Ours has been running with no noticable heat problems from simply putting a small muffin fan in the side. (of course we've never let it run more than a half hour continuously).

[Eldarion]

Originally Posted by Cory

Isn't there supposed to be a fan in the vision target box?

I assume those of you who are having heat problems aren't using such a fan?

We built ours exactly according to specifications; out of aluminum with a fan. Those tubes run hot!

[KTorak]

Cold Cathode tubes really shouldn't get that hot...The one in my computer has been left on for days on end with no issues, but my PC also has much better ventalation compared to a tiny wooden box. I'm thinking more fans to move more air would solve the heat problem.

[Greg Marra]

We built ours (poorly) out of sheet aluminum with the cover held on by 4 zip ties and a small fan for ventilation. I think most of the heat can just bleed through the big holes left by us not bending the metal well, and the small fan can't hurt.

It never really melts.

[sciencenerd]

If the glue melting is causing a problem, I'm sure FIRST will figure out an alternative way to hold the tubes in place. I wouldn't sweat it too much.

[Stephen Kowski]

if you mount it well enough it shouldn't be a problem....when we get tired from working on the robot we just start pelting the green light with balls....

[underwood]

we built ours to regulation, with the aluminum box, fan, and velcroed the cathodes to it. it looks great.... looked great. there was no problem with the heat or anything, but a couple of days ago, the programmers had linked it up to an adjustable power supply and someone kicked the aps, sending the voltage from 12 to about 30. X( instant fry-ification. we now have a savaged aluminum box with two store-bought tubes and power converters lying on the base. ugh, at least its still green...