Circuit Breaker Panel

[pacoliketaco]

I believe that our team was given the wrong breaker panel. We got a much smaller panel with only 6 ports and another with either 10 or 12. The 40 amp-fuses don't fit anywhere. considering that we did not notice this until the final week, there is nothing we can do about it. i was wondering if we can use 30 amp fuses for the CIM motors? the faster i can find out this information the better. please help.

[Erin Rapacki]

If you look at the IFI power distribution diagram, the 40amp loads go through a gold-ish block that caters to four motors and a black power distribution block (I think these terms are correct.. ). My team is using 5 CIMS, not 4, so we decided to buy the 2005 breaker panel that can hold 6 40amp loads instead of just 4 (it lookes much easier to wire, too).

I recommend AGAINST hooking up any of the 40amp loads to 30amp fuses.

So, if you have 5 or more CIMS, I suggest you rush order the 2005 breaker panel from IFI. If you have 4 or fewer, take a good look at the power distribution diagram in the FIRST manual and wire accordingly.

[MikeDubreuil]

Originally Posted by Erin Rapacki

My team is using 5 CIMS, not 4, so we decided to buy the 2005 breaker panel that can hold 6 40amp loads instead of just 4 (it lookes much easier to wire, too).

Erin, what motors are you using? Because if you are using 4 CIM motors you are in violation of <R43>. Unless at least one of your "CIM motors" is a "Fisher Price CIM motor."

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Paco,
You can run the chalupas from 30 amp breakers using the small fuse blocks and the appropriate sized wire but... As Erin pointed out, you wouldn't want to make that decision on a drive motor, you need all the protection you can get.

In order to use the 40 amp breakers you must use the four position Maxi block and the distribution block for the common returns to feed speed controllers, per the robot electrical drawing and robot rules.

[Erin Rapacki]

Originally Posted by MikeDubreuil

Erin, what motors are you using? Because if you are using 4 CIM motors you are in violation of <R43>. Unless at least one of your "CIM motors" is a "Fisher Price CIM motor."

4 small CIMS for drive and 1 big Fisher Price CIM for something else. I clumped them together because they're all 40amp loads.

[Bruce C.]

Originally Posted by MikeDubreuil

Erin, what motors are you using? Because if you are using 4 CIM motors you are in violation of <R43>. Unless at least one of your "CIM motors" is a "Fisher Price CIM motor."

I hope not, because we are running 4 CIMs in our drivetrain.

<R43> Specific items allowed include:
• Additional HITEC HS-322HD Servos.
• ...
.
.
.

• Teams may utilize one or two additional small CIM motors (part #FR801-001) in addition to those provided in the kit of parts. This means that you may use up to four, and no more, small CIM motors on the robot.