For some reason, we have 4 packs of cold cathodes, with 2 bulbs and a transformer each. We have 2 white diffusion panels for the targets though, and the parts inventory says that we should have 8 target packs.
So, given the kit on the inventory, we should have enough to make two targets. Did we miss out on a pack of 4 packs?
Thankfully, we still have our target from last year.
The KOP list says 8. We got 4 packs, each with 2 lights. If that is the case then there is only enough for 2 lights. That should be enough for testing though. Maybe they will allow you to buy more at the same time as we can buy more tubes.
The kit came with 8 tubes, 4 per light in the hope that teams will be able to test the robots ability to choose between light A and light B during autonomous mode and score.
They are referring to the number of tubes in the KOP. The should be enough to build 1 FIRST style target light.
You can order more from here. HDPE (the filter) can be ordered from mcmaster
The 8 in the KOP checklist refers to the number of cathodes. That is, 8 cold cathodes, and 4 transformers.
The other part that you need to make a target is the diffusion plate, of which there are 2 in the kit. In section 10.1.1 of the manual it says
If you think about it, there is no angle at which you can see more than 2 of the lights at a time. Therefore i don’t think FIRST thinks we need more than those yet. I believe they will be avalible for purchase through FIRST eventually, and they can be bought elsewhere.
That’s kinda weird. Are they halving the brightness of the lights this year then? Our light from last year has all 8 tubes in it.
Maybe that’s why we were having trouble aiming last year…
The specs last year called for a target with 8 tubes. It seems like they reduced the number of cathodes in a target, at least for unofficial use.
i beg to differ… i believe that each target uses 8 tubes (4 transformers) per team target. you can see the design here that is one of the team drawings. also in the KOP section of the manual it says under kit evolution on pg2 “Two target light kits enabling teams to practice working with dual light targets” and since the team drawing has 8 tubes and thats what some teams got…we should get more so we can build 2 targets.
just my $0.02
/forest
I just got off the phone with a FIRST rep about some missing parts. She said 8 tubes and 4 transformers were enough to build 2 lights. She also said the lights had 4 tubes each. This is obviously in direct contradiction to the field drawings posted by FIRST, so I’m hoping for some rapid clarification on this issue since replacement part ordering ends pretty darn soon.
Just got word from FIRST. There are 8 cathode bulbs per light, as per the drawings. So you should have recieved 2 white boxes, each containing 4 packs of bulbs and 4 transformers. I think they’re being sent out to teams already.
Are you saying that we are being mailed additional bulbs?
I’m saying I was told they were mailing extra bulbs to teams. It’s probably still smart to call and check to be certain.
the team update says there is a revision to the KOP checklist addressing the issue. i guess they just listed the wrong amount. if you are really in need of a second target, use the one from last year. it is the same to my knowledge.
Actually, the team update states:
You got it. It looks as though no way to “see” 2 targets at once.
Yes, you absolutely CAN see two lights at once. You just cannot see MORE than two lights at once.
-dave
Well… you CAN see 2 lights plain as day at once, and if I recall correctly the other 2 (actually all of them) have the vent holes for heat in them in the back… so… I guess maybe if you calibrate it to the highest sensitivity, you have a chance of seeing light through the back of the targets and that hole pattern right?
Tha again maybe not and this is just a wicked stretch of the abilities of the cameras.
Actually, you can easily get into a situation where 2 lights will visible at the same time. However, the odds are slim that you will only be able to see one (Depending on initial robot placement).
To assemble the light box, you should use 4 cathodes in pairs of 2 and 2 transformers. Thus the 8 cathodes that shipped in the KOP could be used to build 2 targets through that configuration. Someone above me complained about that halving the brightness, but I don’t think that that should be a problem. One of these cathodes is pretty darn bright.
The “official” assembly uses a whoping 8 cathodes! I don’t see why they would need that much. I designed my cam code only using 2.
See this link: http://www2.usfirst.org/2007comp/Drawings/2007_Field_Rack/2007_FRC_VISION_TARGET_R1.pdf
But APPARENTLY, some nincompoop at FIRST only gave us 1 box of 8 and were supposed to give us 2. So as of right now you can build only 1 regulation light box and wait for the new 8 tubes to come in the mail.
Each team should have received two of the target light boxes (16 bulbs, 8 transformers),
but only one was shipped with each kit. We are in the process of shipping the additional
target light kit to each team. FIRST apologizes for the error.