What is the policy for returning v5 components and getting new ones? Does it matter if the parts have been opened and used?
This really does seem unfair that a team can pay $35 for a motor that might randomly blow out right out of the box. It would be extremely reassuring to have some sort of warranty on the v5 parts so that if and when they do break, we’re not out several hundred dollars.
The other thing I’d like to say, which obviously is just a suggestion, is for refs reading this to allow for replays in the case that a v5 component blows out. The rule is that a replay will only be issued in the most extreme circumstances at the head ref’s discretion, and I think most reasonable head refs would agree that a v5 brain or motor randomly blowing out is an extreme circumstance. It would be incredibly unfair if teams could lose bo1 matches because of inconsistent manufacturing on vex’s end.
Does this mean that all of my parts that I ordered back in early June are already out of warranty, even though some havent even shipped yet? 3 months also seems awfully short for something like the brain.
I would assume the warranty is still active. The phrasing of the sentence makes it sound like the warranty doesn’t apply to damage that would be specific to a competition such as being rammed by a 6m chassis with wedges. If a motor randomly decides to blow out in a competition rather than a classroom, it seems like the warranty should be the same.
VEX is pretty understanding and accommodating. I would recommend giving VEX support a call and telling them the problem. I doubt anything V5 related would be out of warranty unless we are talking about user negligence (like dropping and breaking a component).
and be careful - do not do an autopsy on a motor/battery/brain without letting VEX knowing you are doing that. It may be considered deliberately damaging the equipment and voiding the warrantee.
As long as such action does not cause damage, I don’t really see why opening a motor/brain would void anything (exception for the battery, IIRC thats glued shut). I‘ve opened and mostly disassembled the motor and joystick, and partially disassembled the brain; there were no warranty stickers (which are illegal anyway) and everything is pretty straightforwardly put together.
If you unintentionally create additional damage to it while exploring the innards, you could have voided the warranty of what could have been repaired by VEX support.
Given the backlog of equipment, I would want to make sure that any item I need to send back can be returned ASAP without complications.
Sure, If I cause damage then the warranty will probably be void. My point was that these things are pretty straightforwardly assembled, and it is extremely unlikely to damage something as long as you use a little common sense.
I dont like treating the stuff that I use as magic black boxes that must not be opened under any circumstances; I like trying to figure out how things work.
That is not universal to all teams - some need to be aware that the equipment belongs to school and disassembling it can cause more damage. So, it is not just about you on a forum where we have a lot of novice teams.
It should be a decision everyone makes for themselves (or that’s made by your mentor / coach if you have one). A newer person without a lot of experience with electronics probably shouldn’t be disassembling parts in such a way that could void the warranty. If you’re experienced and careful, it’s probably fine. @lacsap , I think sazrocks (sorta) addressed your point by using the word “I”- obviously he wasn’t encouraging stupid people to carelessly open up the motor and void the warranty.
Agreed, you and I are experienced enough to know better, but a novice team is likely not to have that experience and think it is just ok … just look at the shot gun postings that occur from time to time when an eager new team comes to the forum:)
It’s all good. We now have a complete tear down pictures - waiting for the VR fly though
In my seven years of involvement with VEX, they have ALWAYS been very accommodating with any equipment issues. I have over 30 classroom kits, four VRC competition teams and at any given time up to
9 IQ teams. Issues have been handled professionally and expediently.
I totally missed this! Thanks gear geeks!