FP 9003 vs 9012 (was Attention Robot Inspectors:)

[Tristan Lall]

Some more information, for those who are interested:

The Mabuchi F-P motors (all illegal for 2007) are identifiable by the back end, because they lack the four ventilation holes on back end of the Johnsons (viz. Johnsons from the inside); the Mabuchi F-Ps look pretty much like the little Mabuchi motors, from the back, with distinctive curved slits. (Actually, according to Mabuchi's site, there's a new design for the RS-550 motor; compare the RS-545 to the new RS-550. The old-style RS-550s issued to FIRST teams should look like the RS-545 when viewed from the back.) Other differences between Mabuchis and Johnsons include the stick-on model label on a Mabuchi, vs. the painted numbers on a Johnson, or the "M" vs. "JE" logos. Inspectors can easily check for this, and catch obvious violations.

The Johnson 9012 looks the same as the 9003, and the same as the higher-powered Johnson F-Ps from 2002 and 2004. That unfortunately makes them indistinguishable at a glance, apart from the model number. (The pinion was different on the 2002 motor, but since the pinions are replaceable, it doesn't matter.) The 9003 lacks the internal thermal protection of the 9012, but is otherwise largely equivalent (though still illegal). The other motors are rated upwards of 200 W (mechanical power), and represent a competitive advantage over the approximately 170 W of the 9012, if substituted in violation of the rules.