Removable (ish) Link

[Max]

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.

[maddox10]

A big blade fuze as link, why not?

Have a look here.

[typhoon_driver]

pass enough current through any link and it will act as a fuse

[Garfie489]

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.

[Flag Captured]

Can you put a removable fuse (automotive type sort of, slow burn) instead of a removable link?

I wouldn't see any problem with that, albeit with my limited knowledge of the area...
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...

[maddox10]

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.

[Flag Captured]

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...

[shakesc]

pass enough current through any link and it will act as a fuse

Exactly how some older cars had some high current fusing. Not a preferred solution

[Mouldy]

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.

[Daniel]

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.