Under normal circumstances I'd agree with you that you don't need the gauge, I use it mainly as the regulator sometimes does not give a constant pressure and needs some minor adjustment...without it I wouldn't know what pressure I'm running, and it only weighs around 10g its very small :http://www.conrad.com/ce/en/product/...f=searchDetail
What type of dump valves do you normally use, ball valves?
Is your flipper physically attached to the ram, or does the ram just push against it?
Reason I ask is that there was a discussion not too long ago on arming up with the flipper in the 'up' position. Not sure what the consensus was but the way I see it with your current configuration, if the flipper is not physically attached, you could lift it up and hold it in place (or even use a bar or hook or something), then use a tool to open your valve. I suppose you could use your hand as well but with a tool it means you can open it from slightly further away, reducing potential risks.
Worst case scenario, if you open it slowly, the ram gradually extends if the firing valve is 'on' for whatever reason.
Not sure how acceptable that is for tech-checking/arming up though (Dave will be able to shed some light) so there may not be much validity in what I've just said!
No it's not attached, the ram just pushes on the flipper and it comes back again through bungees.
"Flipper up" arming would surely work on it, but as you pointed out Jamie, I still would not know where I stand re rules etc.
Maybe someone like an EO or a tech-checker can illuminate me on this, honestly I'd be really disappointed if I had to travel over to the UK only to find out the robot is out of specs. Ideally I'd have it checked before I leave but I know its impossible!
Then again, I might have an alternative as it seems that if I rotate the bottle by 180deg I can access the valve through the rear, but will need to put all things physically together to confirm as from a cad model to reality there could be some differences in mm!
I tech check at the champs... with your bottle being turned on through the arm i wouldnt pass it, it means putting yourself in harms way to gas up/ shut of the gas.
I also dont like the idea of pulling on your relief valve to act as a dump... your dump needs to be open at all times up until the point you gas up in the arena... put a ball valve in there. You can get cheap, lightweight, plastic push in ones easily to put on your low pressure side.
Ideally your gas on/off valve, the ball valve, LED and link should all be in close proximity, so if you can mount them all closely on the rear of your robot, this would be prefered as it makes things easy for the arena marshall when the time comes to shut your robot down.
Hope this makes it clear.
Clear enough, turning on the gas through the flipper is out of question, taking your advice as you mentioned in a post above and placing the valve at the back. All the rest of the stuff will also be at the back.
I get your point re. dump valve, but I'm not sure if I'm making myself understood...what I'm trying to explain is that the PRV will be open all the time, not through myself pulling on it though, but through a mechanism which will hold it open for as long as is required, ie I'll close it just before I pressure up the system... I'll post a sketch to explain myself better.
Obviously, if you straight away tell me its not allowed, then no problem, I'll find a place to squeeze in a separate dump...
I understand what you mean and technically there's nothing in the rules that states "it must be a ball valve" however this is the standard here.
For the weight of the mechanism your planning you could easily fit a low pressure ball valve.
Ok point taken, separate valve it will be.
On a different note, started building the gearboxes, look good so far...
Can someone to do some double checking for me please - I want to use a 9oz Co2 main tank and would like to know the max number of flips it can possibly give.
I want to regulate the operating pressure to a range from 19 to 24 bar max. I'm using two rams with a combined volume of 0.436 Lt.
I calculated this would give me a max of approx 13 flips at 24bar...is this close to reality, and would that be near enough for a round?
9oz carries 138 liters of gas @1 bar. @24 bar that is 5.75 liters.
5.75/0.436=13 actions.
But, you're fogetting losses in the setup, and inefficiencies. If you get 10 decent flips, the setup is well done.
And I doubt that it will be enough in a fight with an experienced opponent.
What would you rate as a decent amount of flips? Keeping in mind it's a feather and constrained by weight and space, that's why I was drifting towards a 9oz tank, a 12oz tank would be the maximum I could go up to. ..
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