A few questions

[May_Walter]

Hello Everybody
We have a few questions that we wood like to ask you, and we will appreciate your help at those issues.
The first one is regarding the position of the battery while we are charging or storing it. Is it allowed to place it horizontally?
The second is regarding to the crate. We wood like to change it to a multifunctional crate, which will combine the crate for shipping the robot and also a tool shed. We need to know, it is even allowed? And also, what are its measurements?
The final, are we allowed to use more then one camera?
Thank you in advance,

Team Artemis #3083, Israel.

[BrendanB]

HELLO!

An answer to some of your questions-

1. Batteries can be charged and stored horizontally. We have a charging station in which the batteries are slide under the chargers. Just note that when horizontal, the terminals will have a larger chance of getting smacked around/damaged. We store ours vertical but whatever works out for you.

2. Multifunctional crates are allowed, but don't go making your crate just yet, FIRST most likely is going to change the size of them for this upcoming year so waiting until kickoff to build your crate would be a good idea. More info on the crates can be found here- http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/...70&terms=crate

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by BrendanB

HELLO!

An answer to some of your questions-

1. Batteries can be charged and stored horizontally. We have a charging station in which the batteries are slide under the chargers. Just note that when horizontal, the terminals will have a larger chance of getting smacked around/damaged. We store ours vertical but whatever works out for you.

2. Multifunctional crates are allowed, but don't go making your crate just yet, FIRST most likely is going to change the size of them for this upcoming year so waiting until kickoff to build your crate would be a good idea. More info on the crates can be found here- http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/...70&terms=crate

Not to try to confuse you but this needs a disclaimer, Rules from previous years may not apply in the future.

In the past battery orientation has not mattered, I can't see this changing but there is the possibility of it changing.

The common theory is that Crate rules will be changing, it may be wise to hold off on actually building a crate until we know for certain. Until that time though, design away.

As for the camera, the prior statement applies here. You best bet would be to wait until the robot rules come out and then check there. If there is confusion after that feel free to use the official Q&A. However, if you happen to have two cameras at the moment and would like to learn with them in the off season no one will stop you.

[BrendanB]

Andrew, you're right, I should have included a disclaimer. Walter like Andrew said, rules change a lot from year to year. Never plan too much ahead for the upcoming season as no one (except an elite few) know what the game and rules are.



**DISCLAIMER**-statements in post two are subject to change by FIRST representatives following the kickoff date of January 9, 2010. Be advised that prior rules will not apply following said date.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by May_Walter

Hello Everybody
We have a few questions that we wood like to ask you, and we will appreciate your help at those issues.
The first one is regarding the position of the battery while we are charging or storing it. Is it allowed to place it horizontally?
The second is regarding to the crate. We wood like to change it to a multifunctional crate, which will combine the crate for shipping the robot and also a tool shed. We need to know, it is even allowed? And also, what are its measurements?
The final, are we allowed to use more then one camera?
Thank you in advance,

Team Artemis #3083, Israel.

I'll take a shot at answering these:
1> The rules over the last few years have been silent on this, therefore have been able to orientate your battery as needed. This may or may not be true after kickoff when we get new rules.
2> Many teams have used their crate as part of their pit setup. Search crate here on CD to find some of the designs. That said, Bills blog has indicated that there may/will be changes to the shipping/crate rules ... proceed here at your own risk.
3> There have not been any rules in the past about multiple cameras, although that is subject to change at kickoff, but the camera driver used last year looked at a specifia address, making it difficult to use 2 cameras.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

3> There have not been any rules in the past about multiple cameras, although that is subject to change at kickoff, but the camera driver used last year looked at a specifia address, making it difficult to use 2 cameras.

The allowed cRIO connections last year made using two Axis cameras impossible. There just wasn't anywhere to wire another one to. That might change next year, or it might not. It wasn't a technical issue, just a legal one.

The single fixed address was a technical issue, and it looks like it will change next year. The 2010 Beta LabVIEW libraries have the IP address specified as part of the camera setup. It would be interesting to see if the system can talk to multiple cameras at the same time.

[Vikesrock]

Charging and storing the batteries horizontally is fine, charging or storing upside down is the only orientation not recommended.