Robot Signal Light

Technical Electrical
1

Hi all,

I have a question regarding the RSL. Is it allowable to have an intermediate connection point on the wiring to the RSL? Meaning, can I have something that plugs into the RIO and has a set of screw terminals for connection rather than splicing a 24AWG 2 pin connector to 20AWG to run out to the light?

Thanks

2

I don’t see why not provided it is a connector only and does not interfere with the electrical signal being sent to the light.

That being said, I believe the port on the RoboRIO is sized for a 3pin .1” PWM connector (though only two of the pins are broken out) and you get a bunch in the kit every year so it makes it a bit easier.

3

The manual says:

It doesn’t say “directly connected” or specify how it should be connected, simply “connected”. I would interpret that to mean connectors are allowed between the roboRIO and RSL. As always, the final decision is up to your LRI, and rules are subject to change next season.

4

I can count 3 connections between our RSL’s and Roborio last year.

5

As an RI, I only look to see if your signal light is working. The inspection check list only requires that it be connected to the RSL signal port and work. The field people can disable you if the light stops working.

6

We did something similar to this for 2016 STRONGHOLD because we needed to have two RSLs for full visibility.

7

Thank you all for the replies.

This is as I thought. I didn’t think it was an issue, but it was brought up in a discussion, and I wanted to get more opinions. As I read the rules myself, I see no variant of the interpretation as it stands. As long as the light works properly, consistently, securely and follows R71, it’s up to you how to wire it.

Thanks!

8

Greg,
A few things to consider…

  1. All electrical connections need to be insulated. That is a little more difficult with screw terminals.
  2. A single run of wire has less chance for failure than multiple breaks/connections in the wire. Your mileage may vary.
9

Yeah, the screw terminals are insulated and take 26-20AWG, so definitely covered there, and with the screw terminals, I actually feel more confident with what I’m developing than the simple push on connector. Think of the power connector on the RIO, but not the terrible NI version.

Thanks Al,

Greg

10

Greg,
The connector on the RoboRio is not an NI product. It however, approved for low voltage apps and the screw heads are recessed to provide some insulation. If your terminals are similar then that should be fine. However, these terminals are listed for specific wire size ranges. Often 14-18 gauge. Smaller wire will tend to pull out. You might try stripping the wire longer than normal, fold the excess back over itself to double or triple the diameter. This method in effect increases the wire size at the terminal and may give you amore reliable connection.

11

Yeah, I know. The power connector is a Phoenix product, which over my career, I’ve found to be a necessary evil in the controls world. I much prefer other manufacturer’s equipment, but that’s me.

And the block I was looking at is a Phoenix, and it’s wire range is perfect for this application. Running 20AWG for the RSL is more than will ever be required.

12

Crimping a ferrule over the folded wire will ensure that it doesn’t get squished and become “small” and slip out after the screw on the connector is tightened.

13

The Power Connector supplied on the rRio is not a Phoenix Contact product but rather a Sauro product. We replace the Power Connector with a Phoenix Contact Push-in Spring connector part number 1966091. We also ferrule the wire using a ferrule with a 12mm barrel length.

If you have found a plug connector for the RSI from Phoenix, I would be interested in the part number.

14

I do, and the next time I’m at the Center, I’ll get it for you. I bought 5 or 10 of them, and I’m glad I did.

15

Hi David,

Sorry it’s taken so long for me to get back to you. Here is a link to what I purchased from Digi-Key. These work perfectly.

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/phoenix-contact/1827703/277-5711-ND/349143

Thanks!

Greg

16

Where exactly are you using these connectors? I’m not sure I’m fallowing, are these plugging into the RoboRIO signal light pins?

17

I think they got off track from the thread conversation about the RSL connector.
Since that’s just the connector for the roboRIO power.

18

Hi Allen,

Yes, what Mark said. Sorry about that. It went off on a tangent a bit as we started talking about power connectors for the Rio as well. That’s what the link is for.

Thanks!

Greg

19

We used a 1x2 and 1x5 header to plug the RSL in. The 1x2 is on the Roborio side and the 1x5 used socket 1,3,and 5. Fortunately the RSL uses the center pin as 0vdc and pins 1 and 5 are jumper to the signal. The past few year Inventables had a voucher you could use to order a Wireing kit and tool. We needed the RSL light to fit into a pipe and the factory plug would not clear.