pic: XBot 2007 electronics panel

[Japper]

Originally Posted by fsayre

It is ABS 1/4" plastic. We might still take some weight out of it, if we have time to take the electronics off and cut it before the panel is needed on the robot.

I like it... it is clean and looks nice!

Can we use any material for the electronics mounting board?

Also, is it necessary to add any dampers to limit any vibration or is this not an issue?

I am also considering using the 1/4" ABS plastic as well but wanted to make sure that there isn't any rules against using it.

thanks!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Japper,
Nothing in the electronics is so fragile that it can't take a hit from another robot. There are things you do want to make sure are secure. The battery musst be mounted in such a way that it won't fly out in a crash with another robot. The PWM cables have a tendency to pull out if you don't tie them into position. We usually just loop the cable out of the device and tie wrap it to the mounting board next to the device. This goes for both ends, RC and Victor, Spike or servo. The power cables, if left to flop around, will loosen at the screw terminals of the Victors so tie those down as well. Time will tell if the terminal blocks will stand up to the vibration of matches. I am recommending that teams check the tightness of each one in the pit between matches.

[Japper]

Thanks Al-

Is there a rule of thumb regarding how much of the robot should be covered in Lexan to protect parts and besides the electronics panel, which areas should have this type of protection?

[Rich Ross]

Is there any chance at seeing an updated version of this panel? I know you said it was going off to be weighed, so im guessing it is completed by now. It appears very efficient and neat, and I hope that it meets your requirements well.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

There is no robot rule for lexan coverings. It is up to the individual teams as to how much they want or can use with regards to weight since all nonfunctional decoration is included in the weight. We generally enclose most of the robot with either thin Lexan or punched aluminum. The Lexan is a good base for our stick on Wildstang decor and team numbers and is attached with Velcro to allow us access for repairs. The punched aluminum is riveted to the robot frame and is used to mount electronic and pnuematic parts. It is easy to mount these objects with ty wraps or hardware as needed.

[NeedMoreEngines]

What did you with the victor fan wires? do they go the speed controller power contact? we've always just sent them right to the circuit panel thing. is there an easier (shorter, really) way to do it?
if there is can you let us know?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Mike,
I recommend teams wire the fans in parallel with the power input to the Victors. this is allowed under the rules and it is an easy indication that the Victor is getting power. You can shorten the wires leading to the fan and this will neaten up the wiring.

[GMKlenklen]

yah, but fans have a tendency to die and short out... I wire all mine to a seperate 20amp circuit breaker... if only i could get like a 5 amp or something.

[Fred Sayre]

Originally Posted by Rich Ross

Is there any chance at seeing an updated version of this panel? I know you said it was going off to be weighed, so im guessing it is completed by now. It appears very efficient and neat, and I hope that it meets your requirements well.

The board came out to be about 7lbs with everything except the four remaining victors. The kids were half way through finishing the wiring up for those on tuesday and should finish tonight. If they do, I will post another picture.

Originally Posted by NeedMoreEngines

What did you with the victor fan wires? do they go the speed controller power contact? we've always just sent them right to the circuit panel thing. is there an easier (shorter, really) way to do it?
if there is can you let us know?

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Mike,
I recommend teams wire the fans in parallel with the power input to the Victors. this is allowed under the rules and it is an easy indication that the Victor is getting power. You can shorten the wires leading to the fan and this will neaten up the wiring.

This is what we did. We shortened the fan wires, and rotated the fans so that the wires go directly down to the power inputs to the victors. It is way easier and makes things much cleaner.

Originally Posted by GMKlenklen

yah, but fans have a tendency to die and short out... I wire all mine to a seperate 20amp circuit breaker... if only i could get like a 5 amp or something.

I have never had this happen to any fan on any machine I have ran in the past four years. Was there any specific circumstances that caused these failures?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by GMKlenklen

yah, but fans have a tendency to die and short out...

There is no reason for the fans to die dependent on where they are wired. You do need to watch polarity and you must not wire them to the Victor outputs, power input only please.

[GMKlenklen]

well now I feel sorta cheesy...
but anyways, If these fans are anything like computer fans, they can randomly die.

[Molten]

I noticed you were not using any relays. You might want to consider this based on your overall design. The setup does look nice and organized.

[RedHeadRobotics]

The layout of the components is really neat. But I would worry that the wires the the VIC motors would be too small and would melt if the current was too strong.

[Fred Sayre]

Originally Posted by Temper Metal

I noticed you were not using any relays. You might want to consider this based on your overall design. The setup does look nice and organized.

Believe me, we have considered at great length the use of relays. Mostly because that generally means for us that we would be using pneumatics. We might end up with a relay added for a motor if we can't utilize a servo for a mechanism to raise our lifts.

Originally Posted by RedHeadRobotics

The layout of the components is really neat. But I would worry that the wires the the VIC motors would be too small and would melt if the current was too strong.

The wires on the victors are the standard gauge as prescribed by the first rules. We have used it every year without problem.


Also check the pictures section... I will be uploading some updated stuff shortly.

[seanl]

did u guys use 10 gauge wire for the vics?