[OCCRA]: Fuse Block Alternative and the Control Box

[RoboMo786]

Dear OCCRA

Rule RB2 states "The control box has been pre-wired for your convenience. Again for 2015, the VEX “Cortex” controller will be used. The electrical control system must still be enclosed inside a single, clear plastic control box. Teams need to neatly lay out all of the electrical components and arrange key components so that their indicator lights are clearly visible to both inspectors and refs.)
You may not alter or remove the Cortex, fuse block, relays, speed controllers or fuses/circuit-breakers from the safety container(s)."

Does this prohibit the use of equivalent electrical components not supplied in the KoP? Specifically, Victor SP motor controllers (217-9090) and the Blue Sea Systems ST Blade Fuse Block (5026)?

[Mr. Mac]

The control box components must be the ones OCCRA has supplied and continues to stock. The Victor SP is legal this year (in fact, it's described on pg. 20 of the "How-To" Manual and it's the only one OCCRA will be stocking this year) but was accidently left off the parts list in the V4 version of the rules, but it WILL be added when the Rules V5 is released next week. The Blue Seas fuse block you mentioned is not on the parts list for this year, so it may NOT be used. While it may not offer any competitive advantage, that's a call that the Game & Kit Committee has to make--they can possibly add it to the parts list for next year, but they will first have to consider weight differences, performance, cost, etc. before they make that ruling. Since many teams have already built their boxes for 2015, we always wait until AFTER the season before making kit additions.