Is it okay to have the electronics accessible for inspection by removing a functional mechanism which then hides the electronics when the mechanism is bolted in for gameplay?
I’m not sure that disassembling your robot would meet the definition of “accessible”. Your LRI may have a different opinion.
Bear in mind that some lights need to be visible, and others are helpful for diagnostics and thus visibility is advised.
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If it is designed to be accessible, such as a hinged system with some sort of locking mechanism would be acceptable, however, if it takes more than a minute to access the electronics it wouldn’t be a good idea. And as mentioned already, all diagnostics LEDs should be visible.
I will add that if you do have to make it open, you shouldn’t have to unplug anything because that can make troubleshooting extremely difficult.
Before you decide that you have to do something like this, wee if you can rearrange anything, although you really are coming down the wire, so you’ll have to act fast. What are the electronic components that are inaccessible?
What if we put, say, Talon SRXes on the underside of the robot? Would that count against visibility of diagnostic LEDs?
I would not put electronics on the underside, they would be at risk of damage. And the wires to fray and short to the frame. The electronics should be protected yet visible. If you posted some photos of your robot im sure we could help you lay it out, sometimes you just have to think creatively, stacking things with standoffs, and mounting devices by them selves in odd spots is very common.
Also keep in mind that there are many electronics configurations that are perfectly legal, but not a good idea.
Your FTA will want to see the LEDs on the roboRIO and radio, as well as the wiring for both when your robot is on the field. If you don’t connect and those things are not accessible your FTA will likely end up bypassing you. They simply can’t hold up the match for a few minutes while you remove your mechanism to plug in your ethernet cable.