Mission Possible C

[ScottMaurer19]

Wait, what if it’s sensing the electromagnet? I think there was another thread about how a sensor can’t be running for more than 10s since it’s technically activated the entire time? Has anyone successful used a sensor for longer than 10s?

The FAQs continue to support the use of passive electrical sensors (except for timers) so long as they do not take longer than 10 seconds to activate the next action once triggered.

would it be legal to have the the sensor on before running the device?

Yes, the sensors may be on before the device runs. The action involving the sensor just cannot take more then 10 seconds.

As for the batteries, I interpret the rules to mean one singular commercial battery and not many in parallel. "Battery source" is ambiguous so that is open for debate. There are boards out there that use an external power supply, but if it has a small battery it should be fine. I would check the battery policy/rules because I do remember something about batteries needing to be labeled. If it isn't directly labeled on the battery, then maybe bring the package it came in?

[unknownuser2]

What would be considered an "uncontrolled flame"? Where is the line drawn between controlled and uncontrolled?

[nicholasmaurer]

Can you elaborate on how the FAQs support a passive electrical sensor? I have one but just in case the ES says it is an electrical timer I just wanted to have a good argument.
Edit: I saw you said except for timers. Sorry.

When I say not for timers, I mean that mechanical/chemical timers are not valid timers (for bonus points) if they involve a passive electrical sensor (see 11/14/17 FAQ).

I would argue a passive sensor does not inherently constitute an electrical device operating for longer than 10 seconds because it only "operates" or "controls part of the action" for a brief moment. Since the FAQs allow for micro-controllers as long as they only activate one action, passive sensors should similarly be allowed.

[nicholasmaurer]

What would be considered an "uncontrolled flame"? Where is the line drawn between controlled and uncontrolled?

There is an FAQ that addresses this in detail...

[unknownuser2]

As per the FAQ about micro controllers, it said that they can only be used to activate one action, I had about 3 transfers on just one arduino powering them. I take it that means this is not allowed? Would there be anyway around it other than having about 4 different arduinos in my machine?

[PM2017]

As per the FAQ about micro controllers, it said that they can only be used to activate one action, I had about 3 transfers on just one arduino powering them. I take it that means this is not allowed? Would there be anyway around it other than having about 4 different arduinos in my machine?

Nope, that would not be allowed. The only way around this is the use of multiple microcontrollers.

[ScottMaurer19]

As per the FAQ about micro controllers, it said that they can only be used to activate one action, I had about 3 transfers on just one arduino powering them. I take it that means this is not allowed? Would there be anyway around it other than having about 4 different arduinos in my machine?

That would not be allowed and will likely get you tiered for a construction violation. The only way around it is to have multiple microcontrollers or to use something like a MOSFET circuit to power certain things.

[dragonfruit35]

would putting a couple of 9v batteries in parallel counts as 1 battery source?
Also is it ok to use the small batteries from the recording devices because they are not labeled

Well, if you used 9v batteries for your main circuit and then the small batteries (I assume you mean like button cells) in the recording device, then that would be two separate power sources. In VA, there's a clarification that using multiple batteries in parallel is one battery source, but this doesn't apply nationally and Soinc doesn't have any clarifications or FAQ's regarding that. I, personally, would say that would still be one source (obviously NOT official), but if you're putting the batteries in parallel anyway, you might just want to use one (and have to replace it more frequently) to be safe.

[terence.tan]

would putting a couple of 9v batteries in parallel counts as 1 battery source?
Also is it ok to use the small batteries from the recording devices because they are not labeled

Well, if you used 9v batteries for your main circuit and then the small batteries (I assume you mean like button cells) in the recording device, then that would be two separate power sources. In VA, there's a clarification that using multiple batteries in parallel is one battery source, but this doesn't apply nationally and Soinc doesn't have any clarifications or FAQ's regarding that. I, personally, would say that would still be one source (obviously NOT official), but if you're putting the batteries in parallel anyway, you might just want to use one (and have to replace it more frequently) to be safe.

Thanks! Also i was wondering what argument can i make if the event supervisor at my competition deems it to be multiple power sources. Would saying something like the batteries are wired so that their voltage is under 14.4v while being in 1 spot in the device, instead of being in multiple locations. And that all of the electricity is only coming from only those batteries and not from any other sources be fair?

[terence.tan]

do photocells count as an addition power source?