04.24.2009

Updated Neon Wiring Diagram

by Jerry Chevalier

Craig Reinbrecht has been working on enhancing his neon hookup diagrams and has done an outstanding job. He has incorporated my infamous “Photo-Op” circuit and has made the setup as simple as possible. On the 2008 Build off DVD Craig goes over setting up the neon circuit correctly. This diagram is an enhancement to that process and makes it even simpler. 1 word of advice. For those who have or are considering a 16 row neon you will need 2 neon transformers. If you have a 12 row neon you will need only 1 transformer. Also, if your batteries fall below 30% power your neon will not function properly. It is a built in safety mechanism in the Tech 22 transformer. It is not in the product manual. It is also recommended that you have a separate amplifier for the neon apart from the speakers to guarantee a bright response whenever your robot talks. With that in mind; Craig has provided a recommended amplifier wiring diagram. It isn’t required but it is strongly recommended because if you use just 1 amp, if you turn the volume down the neon may not respond correctly. That’s why you want 2 amps. The amp you use just for the neon can be from a pair of old powered computer speakers so it doesnt have to be a new or expensive purchase.

craigr_12-row_4pc_neon_wiring_diagram-a_v4-24-091craigr_12-row_4pc_neon_wiring_diagram-b_v4-24-09recommended_amplifier_diagram_v4-19-09optional_neon_photo_op_switch_v4-19-09tech22-neon_wiring_diagram_v4-20-09

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02.23.2008

Neon & Back Plate

by Jerry Chevalier
One of the most sensitive area on the b9 robot is the neon and the backplate it rests upon. Until recently there hasnt been very many choices for a builder to select. There have been some from Fred Barton (See black backplate. This was patterned after the stunt robot). There have been a few that have been of a custom design like Doug Hines (See the grey backplate. He still makes them upon request but is not an approved vendor at this time) and then there were those made by Dewey. Dewey doesnt make them or sell them anymore (see the white back plate). Your only other alternative has been to make your own or modify those identified above.
Not until recently has a new back plate been made available to the group. It is the one made by David Huber. When it first came out it would only fit Dennis Wilbur’s neon. So if you had a neon from Craig you were out of luck. Recently I had the oppourtunity to work with David and Richie to remedy that. The result was a neon plate that could hold a 16 or 12 row neon from Craig that was outstanding and had a new twist to it. David’s neon has more prominent extrusion at the top plate that just happens to fit the TX2000′s neon music synchronizer.

Below is Dave’s backplate for Craig’s 16 row neon before and after. This plate fits the club standard torso as well as the replica torso. I used a black silicon to adhere the neon to the back plate. One additional note – make sure you trim the backplate as high as possible for the dial lights to pass through. If you dont the excess flashing will prevent the teeth light buttons from being depressed.

And here you can see how it looks with and without the neon installed.

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