Fans from last year

[shorterboarder]

Our teams was wondering if we could use the fans (any size) that were provided in last years kits. We need to know this because our motors are heating up. Thanx

[steven114]

You have to use the fans included in this year's kit, if you choose to use fans. In general, if you motors are too hot fans won't help - you should clear the air vents or reduce the load on your motor instead.

[lukevanoort]

Originally Posted by steven114

You have to use the fans included in this year's kit, if you choose to use fans. In general, if you motors are too hot fans won't help - you should clear the air vents or reduce the load on your motor instead.

Where did you read this rule? Teams use many non kit fans, such as lighted computer fans.

[steven114]

<R25> Motors, pumps, and, robot controllers from previous robots may not be used in addition to those provided
in the 2006 kit of parts.

I didn't see an exception for fans, although I may be wrong...

[dlavery]

Originally Posted by lukevanoort

Where did you read this rule? Teams use many non kit fans, such as lighted computer fans.

Can you cite a rule that permits non-kit fans?

Fans have motors. Teams are limited to using only motors provided in the KOP and two additional CIM motors. Therefore, no non-KOP fans are allowed.

-dave

[mechanicalbrain]

Originally Posted by dlavery

Can you cite a rule that permits non-kit fans?

Fans have motors. Teams are limited to using only motors provided in the KOP and two additional CIM motors. Therefore, no non-KOP fans are allowed.

-dave

However... that being said, What you can do is remove the motor from one of the Papst fans and put it into a new fan housing. It's a bit tricky but if you have a need for a specific housing it's doable.

[Conor Ryan]

Originally Posted by mechanicalbrain

However... that being said, What you can do is remove the motor from one of the Papst fans and put it into a new fan housing. It's a bit tricky but if you have a need for a specific housing it's doable.

innovative.....but not slick enough I'm afraid

Originally Posted by Section 5

<R36> So that every robot’s maximum power level is the same, the motors in the kit may not be modified in any
way, except as follows:
• The mounting brackets and/or output shaft/interface of the motors may be modified to facilitate the
physical connection of the motor to the robot and actuated part.
• The gearboxes for the Fisher-Price, and Globe motors are not considered “integral” and may be separated
from the motors. FIRST will not provide replacements for parts that fail due to modification.
• The electrical input leads on the motors may be trimmed to length as necessary.

I do believe taking the housing off the papst fans would not be legal according to R36

[mechanicalbrain]

Originally Posted by Conor Ryan

I do believe taking the housing off the papst fans would not be legal according to R36

The fan housing parts are not considered mounting brackets? It is what you use to mount the fan. Also under all that plastic or metal is a motor if thats left unmodified is it really breaking the rule? I guess this would be for Q&A...

[dlavery]

Originally Posted by mechanicalbrain

However... that being said, What you can do is remove the motor from one of the Papst fans and put it into a new fan housing. It's a bit tricky but if you have a need for a specific housing it's doable.

I stand corrected (partially - if and only if the motor can be removed from the fan housing without altering the motor itself [see above post] I have not yet looked closely enough at the kit fans to verify if this is possible, so I will give the benefit of the doubt for the moment) (I also give partial points to Jason Morrella, who pointed out that if you take the motor out of the non-KOP fan, and just stick the blades and shell on the robot, then it would be legal - after all, no one ever said that the fan actually had to do anything. Leave it to the English teacher to come up with that answer... ).

Anyway, to revise my point, if you want to use a non-kit fan (with a motor in it so it actually works, and without replacing the fan motor with one from the 2006 KOP) you may run afoul of the rules.

-dave