Backup Battery life and the CMUCam

[PhilBot]

Originally Posted by ebarker

NO !!
The nicad battery pack has to be the same pack in the kit, or another of the same part number. Building a larger pack increases the amount of stored energy and is disallowed.

I also questioned this interpretation, since the rules specify the voltage and material, but not the capacity. NiMH are out (bummer) but not a 7.2V C cell NiCD pack (as Mark pointed out)

Originally Posted by ebarker

We built a circuit last year that was similiar that provided a 6 volt bus that was regulated down for the 12v bus. We ran the servos and cameras off the 6 volt bus.

I also wondered about this... R63 would seem to indicate that a 6V regulator is an acceptable "Custom Circuit" as long as it it not connected to an output device. To me, this would make the CMUCam OK, but not a Servo. Hmmm..

My reasonning... Since a Servo contains a motor, and is covered by various motor limitations rules, and R63 says that a custom circuit cannot power a motor directly.... so........ wouldn't it be excluded?

Phil.