So basically I just need someone to look at this doc and see if we have everything or if we need anything else?
I would get a torque wrench for the Grasshopper nuts, its going to be more reliable than “it feels tight”
Aside from that, you need a crimper of some strength to crimp the SB120 connectors, we like hydraulic ones. Personally believe SB120 is a bit overkill, but it does provide an upgrade path.
I would also make sure you have some good and large wire cutters that can slice all the 6 gauge in one go. These can also help strip the wire. We have some from Tekton that work.
I’ll go back and add links later.
Why are you buying SB120s if you’re using 6 awg wire?
You’ll also need more contacts. 2 per battery, 2 per charger, 2 per robot
I’d check out Battery Upgrade 2.0.pdf - Google Drive for a purchase list (you need the lugs and heatshrink as well), but I’d swap the sb120s for sb50s
I didnt really look into those connectors tbh, whats wrong with it?
I added a suggestion for these zip tie mounts, an idea we borrowed from another team. You need bent battery lead crimps to use them though.
these sound awesome! any chance you could link me to the bent battery leads? I was trying to find some but I couldn’t.
I actually don’t remember where we bought them. That’s a bit of an issue - we’ll need more next year!
A quick google found some here: SBF610 - 90 Degree Short Barrel Compression Lug - 6 AWG - #10 Stud | Ferrules Direct
Ferrules Direct is a great company for battery lugs
We use these ones, but it’s for 4awg not 6
SB50 is currently the standard in FRC for battery connectors. It’s perfect for 6awg, but you can squeeze in 4awg if you’re careful.
SB120 are larger and more expensive, and a lot less common in FRC. They can be worth it if you are using 2-4 gauge wire, but for 6awg it’s just overkill.
Ahhhh okay, thankyou!
Why are you buying a VRM for your radio, when the new radio can be directly powered from the PDH?
Can it? I didn’t see that option on the docs, maybe I’m not understanding it correctly.
The new Vivid Hosting radio can take unregulated 12V from the PDH/PDP.
Where does it say that in the docs? Im looking but I must be blind or something.
https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/getting-started/usage/wiring-your-radio
Important part circled:
Also shows it in the recommended setup picture:
And the First Blog also mentions it:
I am confused tho with the wiring from the ethernet cable, do you have to splice it and connect those to the PDH?
you CAN (see what I did there? ) do that…or use a POE injector cable like this one from REV.
A few other companies like Adafruit make them too, but usually folks have an order going to REV anyways so it makes sense just to get theirs.
Like others have mentioned and the picture shows: for redundant power you can use this POE injection - in addition to dedicated separate wires to the radios weidmuller 12V connectors.
You do not have to splice the wires. The diagram above it to give the radio PoE AND normal power, so you need to inject (splice) power into the ethernet connection. This is only to dual power the radio, which is not needed to run reliably.
The radio is totally fine only getting power through the regular power connection. You can run the two power wires to the radio, and leave the ethernet as just signal between the roborio and radio.
Here is a simplified diagram:
Is it a problem that these are only rated for 65A?