Motor Replacement

[2011FRC0316]

Can the window motor be replaced with a banebots motor in the window motor's gearbox?

[jross]

There are no rules that say you can't use the window motor gearbox with the banebots motor. It might be complicated to make an appropriate adapter, however.

[2011FRC0316]

You are wrong, the GDC disagrees with you, see this post: http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=17054

[Mike Betts]

I agree with Mr. Ross and disagree with the GDC and this is why:

1. Teams legally use gearboxes from many sources and mate them to KOP motors.

2. Once removed from the window motor, the gearbox is a gearbox and is not integral to the motor.

3. To say that this one specific gearbox is illegal does not make sense. If a team purchased a non-KOP, COTS window motor from a local automotive dealership, removed it's gearbox and mated it to a Banebots motor, the robot inspectors would very likely consider it to be legal under this year's rules. It would then fall to the robot inspectors to verify that it was done in a safe manner.

4. However, mounting the KOP window motor to a different (or modified) gearbox would, indeed, be a violation of <R47> because the motor is integral to the gearbox.

4. To single out this one gearbox and rule it illegal does not seem to be supported by either the letter or intent of <R47>.

This is just my humble opinion and I really do not expect the GDC to reverse their decision base on my views.

Regards,

Mike

[2011FRC2648]

How do I find out for sure?

[Mike Betts]

How do I find out for sure?

The GDC has already ruled... No.