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Just a question (yes, I know, I ask a lot of questions :)), are uk fw bots allowed to use team whyachi MS-05 switches to turn bots on and off???? I see this as a great idea as there is no part to be removed or that can fall out.
Please let me know peoples thoughts on this,
Thanks
No.
Best reply 2014.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mouldy
Two words... Duct Tape!
ha ha ha,
But why????
Because there is no visual guarantee that the robot is dead. By having a removeable link in your hand, you know the robot is dead. Oh and no tools are needed to remove the link too.
Oh, ok, thanks for that. Only just remembered that part of the rules
And there is the possibility that those types of breakers can weld themselves together if high currents are pulled, which they usually are, in which case you can never turn the machine off!
When I messed up my wiring and was shorting a 6s lipo my deans connector removable link melted and welded itself together as I put it in, luckily had the bot open so was able to quickly unplug the battery itself! LolQuote:
Originally Posted by Eventorizon
Can you put a removable fuse (automotive type sort of, slow burn) instead of a removable link?
I did that at the UK champs in 2012 and no one seemed to have a problem with it, also use it at some other non-spinner events.Quote:
Originally Posted by Liftoff
A big blade fuze as link, why not?
Have a look here.
pass enough current through any link and it will act as a fuse
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...4/Untitled.png
I have no idea what these are called, but if your main concern is simply the link falling out you should be able to use one of these plastic clips to hold them in. I drew it up quickly on paint, but when you press down on the left beam, which is spring loaded, it unclips. You can attach the two pieces to both parts of your link if your that concerned about it falling out.
I wouldn't see any problem with that, albeit with my limited knowledge of the area...Quote:
Originally Posted by Liftoff
I've been using one of those huge maxi fuses as a 'link' in HardWired II whilst I've been testing it, and it seems to work just as well as what I'd expect a 'proper' link would work like, and it's two for one in that it's both the regulation fuse and the link.
Not sure what the rules say about it, I seem to recall it not being allowed but I'm really not sure on what the official standpoint is...
Does it do what is needed? Namely, removing a physical part so the robot can't be active? So yes, it's a link.
Is it a fuse that protects the LiPo from overloads? If yes, it's an accepted fuse.
But that's a personal view, and not sure techcheckers/EO's will agree on my interpretation.
Well, that was my thought on it - it acts as intended for both functions and it's one less potential point of failure, but I wouldn't want to count on that and fail a tech check for something as simple as that
I don't think it's technically against the rules, but it doesn't really say anything about it either so it might be something to discuss for the next draft of them...
Exactly how some older cars had some high current fusing. Not a preferred solutionQuote:
Originally Posted by typhoon_driver
Fuses would be acceptable as a link at the uk champs, I tech checked a couple of robots running this method and passed them last year.
Any locking mechanism to hold the link in, as you suggested should be fine aslong as you don't need tools to remove the link. If you have any concerns post a picture of what you've made prior to the event.
I personally have a swinging link door that pushes on my link, and the base of the link is mounted securely, meaning the link can't pop out if the doors shut. Been doing it that way since I built turbulence and I've never had a link fall out.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...psbf3aa871.jpg
Brass nuts soldered onto ring connectors and then hot glued onto either side of an isulator (heavy duty cardboard in this case). Add the brass screw to turn the robot on. At out Australian competitions I only half unwind the screw, plus a few extra turns, to turn the robot off (main power light turns off, receiver light turns off, cooling fans turn off, we all know when it's turned off), but I guess in Europe you can remove the screw completely. Doesn't need to be hot glue, could be epoxy or cast urethane, but I'm broke and only had hot glue. Cheap, easy to make, takes a high current, won't shake loose and easy to put in a less exposed part. Only need to get the screw though a hole, not a whole link.
Would this be acceptable at UK events? I don't see why not though it could be argued it takes a while to remove the link. I'm looking to replace the one on my flipper which currently has a deans connector but keeps breaking, bending and falling out so want a more sturdy solution!Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
Nope, no good. Use an EC5, XT90 or andersons.
Ok, I've used an EC5 connector, am I allowed to tie the link to a short length of sting attached to the robot so it cannot be misplaced or does it have to be completely removable from the robot?
There is no rule that says that you have to misplace the link.
And no, there isn't any reason you can't use a bit of string , chain or whatever to secure your link to the robot to avoid loss.
There is, its called Sod's law (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sod's_law)Quote:
Originally Posted by maddox10
do what most people do, make the loop big enough to fit over your transmitter aerial and keep a spare link in a known place in your toolbox.
Also if you use a well known connector then chances are someone could lend you one at an event worst case
I don't think there's anything specifically in the rules that says otherwise, though I started looping mine round the transmitter as Gary mentioned, simple enough. My worry is that you might be replacing the string regularly from just general wear...
Just make more links than you'd need, and then you've got spares should anything go wrong too!
It seems no matter how many links I bring I also lose them and often lose the link in the arena as it is quite vulnerable, if it is attached to the robot I can't possibly lose it so it will be one less thing to worry about!
Well tough titty.