My team is confused on how long our batteries’ cables can be. R103 in the manual says
"For the purposes of determining compliance with the weight limitations, the following items are excluded:
B. ROBOT battery and its associated half of the Anderson cable quick connect/disconnect pair (including no more than 12 in. (~30 cm) of cable per leg, the associated cable lugs, connecting bolts, and insulation)"
We are confused on the interpretation of this statement and are wondering if any inspectors could provide some insight. Thanks in advance!
There’s a limit on how long the two leads attached to the battery can be (12", as shown in your quoted rule). No limit to how long the leads mounted to the robot from the anderson connector to the PDH, but for performance reasons you’ll want to have the shortest possible run
Not an inspector, but I think I have a good understanding of this rule— the battery can have up to 12” of wire on each terminal, ending in the SB50 or SB120 connector at one end, and the battery lugs at the other. The weight of this assembly (battery, <= 12” of wire per terminal, and connector) is excluded from the robot weight.
The main power wiring on your robot (not the battery) can be as long as you want*, but you should generally try to keep the total length to a minimum to reduce resistance.
*before some CD pedant mentions it, yes there’s technically an upper limit due to robot size and wire gauge rules, but this is irrelevant.