[BB] So, what about the Classmate?

[EricH]

It's an interesting list of stuff that won't be in veteran teams' kits. I don't think some of it will hurt at all, like the joysticks, because there are plenty of USB joysticks out there. But the one that got me was the compressor. The control system was expected; we've been told about that for at least a year. But the compressor? I just hope that they give a link to a place that can supply them, just in case of one breaking. (Note: I don't know of a single compressor failing since they were introduced to FRC. That's a pretty good record of reliability...)

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by EricH

But the one that got me was the compressor. The control system was expected; we've been told about that for at least a year. But the compressor? I just hope that they give a link to a place that can supply them, just in case of one breaking. (Note: I don't know of a single compressor failing since they were introduced to FRC. That's a pretty good record of reliability...)

They withheld the compressor from the KOP for veterans once before.
As I recall we only whined because we had to disable an older robot to reuse it's compressor, and that's already going to be happening for most teams as the control system comes off.

I've seen compressors damaged from overtightening the emergency pressure relief valve thus cracking the case, and others succumb to general abuse, but I haven't had one wear out. We have one that started working intermittently a couple of years ago, probably due to a bad thermal switch.
I doubt obtaining replacements will be an issue (Thomas Industries 405ADC38/12).
It is $314 though, so I can see the savings for FIRST HQ ($314 x 1677 = $526,578 w/o bulk discount or donation - equivalent to the registration fees for 105 teams):
http://www.drillspot.com/products/35..._Va cuum_Pump
http://cfpwarehouse.com/shopsite_sc/...mpressors.html (pictures wrong but price is better @ $266)

Refurbish an old one for $108: http://www.mastertoolrepair.com/405adc3812-p-4070.html

P.S. Somebody in Lockport, NY sold one on eBay for $108

[TD-Linux]

Originally Posted by EricH

(Note: I don't know of a single compressor failing since they were introduced to FRC. That's a pretty good record of reliability...)

Ours did. Poor shielding and odd placement caused another robot to "eat" the front of our robot and rip the wires out of the compressor.