Electronics and power

Core components

• Battery — LiPo is standard. Match voltage (cell count “S”) and current (C-rating) to your motors. Use a hardcase pack where the ruleset requires it.
• Drive ESCs — brushed or brushless speed controllers sized to stall current.
• Weapon ESC — brushless controller with a slow spin-up / soft-start.
• Receiver — 2.4 GHz hobby radio. Set failsafes so the robot stops on signal loss.
• Power switch — a removable link or high-current switch, reachable from outside.

Wiring checklist

• Fuse or link sized correctly; no exposed high-current terminals.
• Strain-relieve every connector; the robot will take 100 g shocks.
• Keep the receiver away from motors and the weapon ESC.
• Test failsafe before every event: kill the transmitter, confirm all motion stops.

Expand with brushed-vs-brushless guidance, connector standards, and BEC sizing.