2898 electrical board

[apalrd]

You cannot use the LED fans, they are not provided in the KOP or with the Victors.

They use motors, and the only motors allowed are those in the KOP and those included with the Jaguars and Victors as fans (and those are only allowed to cool the Jaguars and Victors, nothing else). Also, from what i've seen, the ability to rapidly pull out a physical electronics board gives no advantage, since the physical board adds weight over just attaching electrical components to the frame, or at least weighs more then perforated aluminum, and the quick disconnects won't help if a Victor dies.

It still looks good, just no LED fans.

If a Victor caught fire, then you probably got metal shavings in it. They almost never ever die, except for metal shavings.

[mikelowry]

I like the way you mounted the cRIO above the PD board

[FlyingHedgeHog]

Originally Posted by apalrd

You cannot use the LED fans, they are not provided in the KOP or with the Victors.

They use motors, and the only motors allowed are those in the KOP and those included with the Jaguars and Victors as fans (and those are only allowed to cool the Jaguars and Victors, nothing else). Also, from what i've seen, the ability to rapidly pull out a physical electronics board gives no advantage, since the physical board adds weight over just attaching electrical components to the frame, or at least weighs more then perforated aluminum, and the quick disconnects won't help if a Victor dies.

It still looks good, just no LED fans.

If a Victor caught fire, then you probably got metal shavings in it. They almost never ever die, except for metal shavings.

Oh, I know the cause of it catching fire. Everyone just freaked out and wanted to get it off asap. The quick disconnects are because we want to be able to cannibalize parts from the boards. We don't want to have to buy new electronics every year, and doing any other kind of connection takes too long if we want to get a previous year's robot working again.
As far as the fans go, the inspectors didn't have an issue with it last year when we did the same thing. Thanks for the input, I'll make sure we have back-ups with us just in case the inspectors don't like them.

[apalrd]

Originally Posted by FlyingHedgeHog

The quick disconnects are because we want to be able to cannibalize parts from the boards...

I was talking about the big quick disconnects on the bottom of the board, not the ones on the individual Victors. Fork terminals don't take that much time to screw/unscrew.

[Alan Anderson]

How easy is it for you to remove or replace a circuit breaker? I'd be concerned about how inaccessible they are under there.

[FlyingHedgeHog]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

How easy is it for you to remove or replace a circuit breaker? I'd be concerned about how inaccessible they are under there.

The breaker is on the left-hand side of the board if the battery is on the far side, and you're looking at the board head on. It's not hard to get to. And that whole top layer comes off in like 10 seconds if we need at the PD.

[vhcook]

I obviously don't know what superstructure this is going to be in, but you'll need to be careful about Robot signal light visibility from outside the robot <R59>.

I've always been in favor of easy electronics removability so that you can transfer it easily back and forth between a prototype and the production chassis. It would certainly be handy if you're planning to retain your electronics package as part of your withholding allowance.

[FlyingHedgeHog]

Originally Posted by vhcook

I obviously don't know what superstructure this is going to be in, but you'll need to be careful about Robot signal light visibility from outside the robot <R59>.

I've always been in favor of easy electronics removability so that you can transfer it easily back and forth between a prototype and the production chassis. It would certainly be handy if you're planning to retain your electronics package as part of your withholding allowance.

Oh, we're mounting the light somewhere else. But even if it was mounted there it would probably be okay because it has a roll cage with poly carbonate shield to prevent balls from going in. Nothing besides the roll cage is mounted higher on the robot.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

There is no rule that prevents cooling fans from being used on the robot and as pointed out, have been allowed for many years. However, only the supplied fans for the Victors can be wired to the power input of the Victors.
<R60>
E. The supplied fans attached to the Victor speed controllers may be powered from the Victor power input terminals.

Any other fans have to be wired to a circuit breaker on the PD. Please remember that only one wire can be inserted in each Wago so that means you have to come up with some other distro for multiple fans. Also, if you use a quick connect 1/4" terminal on the Victor input you can eliminate the Power Poles which introduces another potential failure in the electrical system. The push on terminals give you the same abilities but with two less terminations (and the added resistance) per Victor.

[rsisk]

Is the fact that the PD is under the cRio a violation of R44-H?

<R44>-H
The Power Distribution Board and all circuit breakers must be easily visible for inspection at each FRC event

[FlyingHedgeHog]

Originally Posted by rsisk

Is the fact that the PD is under the cRio a violation of R44-H?

The top piece comes off so you can get at in like 10 seconds or so.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

It could be but it is hard to tell from the pictures. It appears that an inspector should be able to see the breakers. Off note, wiring in the high current side of the PD can only be fed with 40 amp breakers so it is easy to tell that #12 or larger wire is connected to the PD at those terminals. The 20 and 30 amp breakers would be a little harder and may require you to raise the hood to see inside. Be prepared.

[Torboticsmember]

Team 2080 did something similar to your electrical system last year. You may want to watch out for being able to us your wago tool on the PD board, and with the breakers. I know you've said that it only takes 10 seconds to take off the top plate, but you may also want to worry about being able to get to the section of the robot where the electronics are and still taking it off, and then also what you will do with the top plate after you take it off, it may seem like nothing but if during competition you need to get to the PD board for some reason you won't want that top plate getting in your way.
I do hope this design works for you though (means your validating my design), and good luck in competition