15-01-2015 02:12

Gregor

Re: pic: 2015 Prototype Electrical Board

What's the reason for the PowerPoles on the input side of the speed controllers when they're right at the PDP already, and why do you have terminals on the CAN wires?

15-01-2015 02:21

Amar Shah

Re: pic: 2015 Prototype Electrical Board

It makes it much easier to quickly replace motor controllers if necessary.

15-01-2015 02:46

Michael Corsetto

Re: pic: 2015 Prototype Electrical Board

Maybe, but the wago connector's are very fast as well.

And Anderson Power Poles are $$$.

Seems like an unnecessary waste of money to stick any sort of crimp on the PDP side of the new Talons and Victors (as long as you can package the speed controllers close to the PDP)

Kudos for getting a test-bed up and running quickly! Always a good idea!

-Mike

15-01-2015 08:00

tech2077

Re: pic: 2015 Prototype Electrical Board

From what I've seen with the new Talons, the high strand count wire fatigues and strands begin to break at the pinch point inside the wago connector (though to what extent will be told by the season), and with the new Talon wire not being replaceable, the crimps work well for quick replacement and long term reusability. With previous years it wouldn't have made sense to do so though due to terminals being present on the speed controllers.

15-01-2015 09:21

Ty Tremblay

Re: pic: 2015 Prototype Electrical Board

Beta teams reported that tinning the ends of the wires with solder helped with this issue.

15-01-2015 09:49

Foster

Re: pic: 2015 Prototype Electrical Board

I'll do a +1 for the Anderson's on both ends.

1) All controllers become interchangeable.
2) The Roborio and the PDU gets tucked away to keep them from being damaged. The little pig tails make it easy to swap out controllers without trying to climb into the middle of the robot. It also allow for late season "Well this has to go there so that PDU needs to move"

Or the phrase "that controller is in the way, it needs to move". It's just then an issue of making a new extension.

3) You can design/build a switch that you can quickly plug in place of the controller to test without working robot code.

4) Assembly from Transport / Play configuration. Elements can now have the controller with them or not. It's a quick plug the power pole moment to give you lots of flexibility.

The only thing I would have done is use green/white connectors on the end so that the motors didn't accidentally get plugged into the 12v supply. Or that the 12v power does not get plugged into the wrong end of the controller. (Never underestimate the ability of a rookie roboteer)

I get the cost part, since 100 connectors / covers / roll pins will set you back almost $75. On the other hand if it saves you 30 mins of bag open time it's well worth it.

Nice job! Having an electrical test bed in Week Two is a great thing to have.

15-01-2015 10:15

nighterfighter

Re: pic: 2015 Prototype Electrical Board

Correct me if I am wrong, but it was my understanding that inserting tinned wires into the WAGO connectors on the PDB was not recommended.

15-01-2015 10:57

Doug G

Re: pic: 2015 Prototype Electrical Board

Thanks Mike! This is our first of 3 electrical boards and modularity for the components is what we need now. We need our first drive chassis up and running this weekend for some testing. If all goes well they will be transferred to more refined chassis the next week, then the competition chassis and bellypan the following week. We have another untouched set of talons/electronics for the competition bot.

Cost of an anderson powerpole is ~ $1. Cost of students learning how to be competent at crimping and wiring ~ Priceless!!

15-01-2015 17:47

Amar Shah

Re: pic: 2015 Prototype Electrical Board

Where do you buy powerpoles at $75/100 pairs?

15-01-2015 18:02

timytamy

Re: pic: 2015 Prototype Electrical Board

The best I've found is http://www.powerwerx.com/anderson-po...owerpole-sets/

30A bonded goes for ~$70/100
30A unbonded goes for ~$86/100

45A goes is a bit over and 15A is a bit under.

15-01-2015 18:23

Foster

Re: pic: 2015 Prototype Electrical Board

Yep, Powerwerx is your best bet. I've been buying from them for years. Plus they have all those pretty colors.

Its well worth the investment in a good crimper.