Talk:DEWBOT XII Havoc

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Battery Testing

Driving issues during early HAVOC matches led us to fully retest our batteries. As the most recent tests were in April, this retesting was due. Our driving problems turned out to be drive-train related, not due to batteries.

All competition-rated batteries were tested 24-26 September using the CBA III (manufactured by Optim Engineering - marketed and sold by West Mountain Radio). The CBA measures the voltage of a battery over time under a fixed current load until a set terminal voltage is reached. For this testing, the load is set to 7.0 amps (should have been 7.5 - this was an exception to standard procedure); terminal voltage to 10.5 volts. The CBA reports Amp Hrs.

Battery Test 160924.jpg
The data collected on the batteries is here (right) and the CBA III performance charts (below):
Batteries 160924.jpg

One battery, "O" (our oldest) was found to have sub-par performance. "O" had already been identified as problematic and was not brought to HAVOC, and so did not contribute to problems. In addition, "U" (the next oldest) is beginning to degrade and will be rerated as Yellow (not competition) as well, so as to avoid troubles.

Read the full CBA III Report.

Our last full battery test with the CBA III was conducted in April 2016. Full CBA checks will be run on all competition batteries at least two times per year. The next must be conducted prior to our first 2017 season competition.




HAVOC Post-Mortem

What Worked

  • Shooting at end
  • Scouting
  • Loading trailer
  • Fast, planned pit work
  • Pit programming

What Didn't

  • Shooting at beginning
  • Inattention to robot condition prior to competition
  • Drive-train not switched as planned
  • Drive motors falling off
  • Encoders connected incorrectly
  • Scaling system finished at competition
  • Catapult string changed and not checked
  • Bolts falling out - multiple
  • Too many people in pit
  • Communications between stands & pit (what does this mean?)
  • Pit management
  • Ratchet on scaling
  • Drive coach decision (to land on 816)

Actions

  • Checklist for Robot
  • Perform full diagnostics 2 weeks before tournament
  • Keep list of urgent fixes between meetings
  • Pit schedule
  • Involve more scouts
  • Fix hanger ratchet
  • Prescout at Hatboro-Horsham
  • Watch our matches between matches at Westtown