Hey Guys,
We are using CTRE PDPs and VRMs alongside FalconFX Motors, but we ran out of ports on the 12v side for the radio because of the CANCoders. Is there any way to make more room on the 12v side of the VRM or just another work around so we can get everything working?
Thanks in Advance!
You can run all the CANCoders off of one VRM port. They have a low enough draw.
I’d look at voltage regulators from Pololu over the VRM. Look at the current draw and voltages required.
Custom circuit. You can run wires from the PDP to this and split the circuit. There is also an 8 port model. Make sure you read the rules on custom circuit and monitor the amperage. We have used it for 12V sources including canivore, pigeon, limelight, radio in competition for 2023. It is currently on the swerve chassis we are testing and has nit had any problems yet.
You could splice the wires together to be wired into one port. You could also wire them into the PDP with a lower voltage breaker.
We ran out of room for the radio is our only issue
The CANCoders do not need to be on the VRM, they have a rated supply voltage of 6-16V. We just wire them all into 5 port Wagos and plug those into the PDP/PDH.
That’s illegal
R610 *1 breaker per circuit. All circuits, with the exceptions of those listed in R615 and R617, must connect to, and have power sourced solely by, a single protected 12VDC WAGO connector pair (i.e. the load terminals, as shown in Figure 9‑10) of the PDPCTRE's Power Distribution Panel/PDHREV's Power Distribution Hub, not the M6 cap screws.
Sorry, to clarify, I meant individually
That would depend on how it is wired. Only one wire per port is allowed. If the splice is connected to the two wires before going into the PDP or PDH, it would be legal. I believe the reference was to a lower amp breaker like a 20. There are many ways to make a legal custom circuit. Unfortunately the rules are not all in one place. Essentially there is no limit to extra circuits added to a custom circuit, as long as the correct wire gauge and correct breaker is installed. The limit is what is allowed on the circuit. If you plan on making a custom circuit, I would suggest asking a lot of questions. This Andymark item may also qualify. I hope this helps.
Can you use a Rev Radio Power Module? At our second competition last year we got told we had to either add a VRM or an RPM to power our radio separate from the other components powered off our VRM so it may be good to do that anyways.
I actually like this. It is an easy way to explain it. I am going to steal this and add it to my electrical slides.
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