Electrical – Triple Helix Robotics

April 1, 2023April 1, 2023Electrical, Instructional videosBy Triple Helix

Making robust LED strip lights

LED strip lights look great on your robot, and can be used to communicate robot state to your drivers, so they never need to look away from the bot. But, the strips are vulnerable to battle damage, and the wire to strip connections are fragile. Our friends at team 1610 introduced us to these LED strip light diffusion channels that make LED strip lights on your robot way more robust. Plus, the strip light units can be made on the bench away from the robot in just minutes. Here is the process for building one of these light strip units, from start to finish.

Build guide [pdf]

July 10, 2021July 10, 2021Administrative, ElectricalBy Nate Laverdure

Electronics workbench upgrade

During June 2021, Triple Helix Robotics overhauled our electronics workbench in our fabrication shop
at Menchville High School.

Writeup

January 29, 2020August 21, 2022CAD, ElectricalBy Nate Laverdure

Case for wide angle VGA USB camera module

A generic camera case for a VGA USB Camera Module (640×480). Includes flexible mounting points. Camera can be oriented as desired and includes a connection port on the back with two small slots for a strain-relieving zip-tie. Secure camera board with M1.6 screws.

Printables model

January 29, 2020August 21, 2022CAD, Electrical, OutreachBy Nate Laverdure

Latching switch adapter for arcade button

Arcade pushbuttons normally use standard miniature snap action microswitches to provide momentary input to an electrical device. When latching push-on/push-off switch functionality is desired, use this adapter to install a low-cost latching pushbutton switch in place of the microswitch.

Printables model

July 6, 2018February 1, 2021ElectricalBy Bill Bretton

Building a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator

This project uses easy to find and affordable components to construct a Pulse Width Modulation signal generator that can be used to test motors and servos. The ability to bench test motors, subsystems, or prototypes without the need for RoboRIO or special software can save time. It is also a fun and and interesting project for the electrical team!

Paper

Chief Delphi discussion

May 27, 2017December 17, 2022ElectricalBy Nate Laverdure

Using 4 AWG cable with the Anderson SB50 connectors

The crimp contacts used with the Anderson SB50 connector are sized for up to 6 AWG cable. Let’s swage them to fit 4 AWG!

Paper

Chief Delphi discussion

September 3, 2015July 14, 2021ElectricalBy Nate Laverdure

DIY ‘encoder stage’ for VersaPlanetary

A procedure for adding a hall-effect gear tooth sensor within the input stage of a VexPro VersaPlanetary gearbox. Requires modification of several inexpensive COTS parts; these modifications can be done by any moderately-capable FRC team in a reasonable amount of time and without use of external machining resources. This results in a robust encoder “stage” which performs comparably to a high-quality optical encoder, but for approximately 1/3 the cost.

Paper

Chief Delphi discussion