Team 172 - Electrical Done!

[Doug G]

According to the wiring diagram they sent us the returns on the 40 Amp circuits are to go to the distribution block not the ground on the other fuse panel. I guess it won't make much of a difference, but some inspectors may get a bit picky on this. Correct me if I'm wrong?

[Joel J]

Originally Posted by Doug G

According to the wiring diagram they sent us the returns on the 40 Amp circuits are to go to the distribution block not the ground on the other fuse panel. I guess it won't make much of a difference, but some inspectors may get a bit picky on this. Correct me if I'm wrong?

I was thinking the same thing, but couldn't find the specific rule in the manual. I'm using the PDB, just in case.

[yongkimleng]

wow.. season after season I see the electrical board getting cleaner and nicer

[Tom Bottiglieri]

Originally Posted by Doug G

According to the wiring diagram they sent us the returns on the 40 Amp circuits are to go to the distribution block not the ground on the other fuse panel. I guess it won't make much of a difference, but some inspectors may get a bit picky on this. Correct me if I'm wrong?

I hope thats not true. That would be a total waste, requiring teams with 4 CIM motors to use at least 3 of the ground blocks instead of just grounding on the smaller breaker panel. Maybe there's worries about the amperage of 4 Cims, 1 Mini Bike, and 2 FP going through that little metal plate?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Doug G

According to the wiring diagram they sent us the returns on the 40 Amp circuits are to go to the distribution block not the ground on the other fuse panel. I guess it won't make much of a difference, but some inspectors may get a bit picky on this. Correct me if I'm wrong?

Doug and K.,
The revised electrical diagram and the Tips and Guidelines show the high current (40amp) returns going back to the Rockwell block. This is actually a much better way to handle the high current returns as it provides the lowest series resistance path to the battery. I expect that inspectors will be looking for compliance with the documents. Sorry.
The rest of the layout looks very nice, you get a gold star.

[ChrisMcK2186]

Nice, it does look a bit jumbled though. My only concern is if you were to have a problem, you could lose valuable minutes figuring out what wires are what.


Chris

[Jeremytice]

Hey guys that looks pretty good for the space that you guys had to work with. You guys did a great job!

[K.Porter]

Thanks for all the input guys!

...As for the 40 amp grounds, thanks for pointing that out. I couldn't find a written rule requiring the return to the DIN blocks so I've held off in changing it. I'll fix it tonight though if you all think it will be a problem. (good to do the little work now rather than before a match in Manchester.)

As for being jumbled, it admittedly is.
Last night I installed shrink tubing labels to all of the crimp connectors on the fuse block end, and all of the control cables have been labeled from the start. This in addition to component-side labels and good bookkeeping is all I can really do. I only have so much space to work with and a good number of wires to fit in, so some sacrifices have to be made. So it goes.

[keericks]

Remember, you can combine multiple #10 and smaller gauge wires into a single "port" in the distribution block, allowing you to terminate 4 SIM motor grounds with a minimum of two black blocks.

Also, I've noticed your 40A circuit supply wire is not directly across the block that houses your positive supply from the 120A breaker. You may want to consider swapping the two wires that lead to your 40A Maxi and the other breaker panel to keep your highest current draws from crossing the "yellow brick jumper" as I call it.

My $.02.

Cheers.

[K.Porter]

Originally Posted by keericks

Also, I've noticed your 40A circuit supply wire is not directly across the block that houses your positive supply from the 120A breaker. You may want to consider swapping the two wires that lead to your 40A Maxi and the other breaker panel to keep your highest current draws from crossing the "yellow brick jumper" as I call it.

Ah, yes, that hadn't even crossed my mind before now. I will do that.

Thanks!

[Danny Diaz]

Originally Posted by keericks

Also, I've noticed your 40A circuit supply wire is not directly across the block that houses your positive supply from the 120A breaker. You may want to consider swapping the two wires that lead to your 40A Maxi and the other breaker panel to keep your highest current draws from crossing the "yellow brick jumper" as I call it.

Just remember that current flows through both halves of the circuit - both through the red AND the black wires - so with the knowledge that you should be routing the negative ends back to the Power Distribution Block you now cannot prevent the "jump" across the "Screw Connector Block" because you should only put at most 2 #10 wires in each block. Eh, not that it's going to be a major problem anyway.

-Danny

[Al Skierkiewicz]

K.,
<R85> Electrical devices must be wired in accordance with Section 8.3 Robot Rules, using
commercially available copper wire for all electrical connections. Aluminum (or other noncopper
material) wire is prohibited. For examples of acceptable circuit designs, please see
the 2007 Robot Power Distribution Diagram. Please see the revised diagram on the First website.
I am recommending that teams using the jumper, feed the power inputs to the center of the block so that the current divides down both sides of the jumper. This way the current is divided somewhat so that it does not all pass through the entire jumper.

[K.Porter]

I've just finished re-wiring the 40 amp Victors as per the diagram. All four of them are now routed to the terminal block (and subsequently, the wiring looks a wee bit neater too!)

Thanks for all the input, this would have been bad to miss before the competition!