Electrical

Subteam dedicated to designing and building electrical test beds and the competition board.

Read this first before recreating what is already documented there. However, if you find errors in the FRC document, it would be great to note those errata here.

https://docs.wpilib.org/en/stable/docs/hardware/hardware-basics/index.html

Also, radio connection troubleshooting:

https://docs.wpilib.org/en/stable/docs/networking/networking-introduction/index.html

USE AUTODESK INVENTOR Harness environment Harness tool makes this easier to read and you can use ‘nailboard’ feature to look at connections clearer https://www.autodesk.com/products/inventor

Buy wire harnesses If you can use spiral tubing or plastic tubing – but if needed use zipties and Velcro https://www.amazon.com/Alex-Tech-25ft-Protector-Sleeving/dp/B07FXF12HC/ref=pd_bxgy_img_sccl_2/136-7256896-1073508?pd_rd_w=2dntA&content-id=amzn1.sym.7f0cf323-50c6-49e3-b3f9-63546bb79c92&pf_rd_p=7f0cf323-50c6-49e3-b3f9-63546bb79c92&pf_rd_r=DJS2GD81AEAB2VYSB9XT&pd_rd_wg=u6nuh&pd_rd_r=cd595bdf-6fb9-4563-bf89-b8b1b8e6947c&pd_rd_i=B07FXF12HC&th=1

CAD the layout If you look up part then ‘CAD’ normally have the part downloaded

Download Rev Robotics Hardware client to be able to text spark maxes and see what the CAN bus ids are https://docs.revrobotics.com/rev-hardware-client/

Huge source of error is conflicting IDs – name them from the get-go and label the actual sparkmaxes Pay attention to the battery charge and check regularly – if you are on this subteam it is your job to make sure it is high enough! And keep a look out for the electrical board browning out

Don’t overload one connection by using both the limelight and the radio through the VRM (limelight shouldn’t)

Look at lights library and pay attention to spark max blinking lights https://docs.revrobotics.com/sparkmax/status-led

For more on troubleshooting CAN bus IDs and use of the lights as debugging tools, see the Code Tutorial.

Look How Pretty Our Electrical Board Can Be!

- The Blue Alliance https://blog.thebluealliance.com/2015/09/20/frc-electrical-planning-the-layout/

- The Unibots https://www.youtube.com/@Unibots7237