I am currently in my second year with implementing the VEX Robotics into my classroom. Last year was a trial year of just getting adjusted to the kits and learning how to build and program them. This year I ordered new motors, batteries, structural pieces and VEXnet keys for all four of my robotics kits.
My class this year just finished building their Protobot and we are trying to do a competition right now but we are having no success. Problems are the only things that are occurring.
Motors are dying, running slow, not strong enough to lift the arm. Batteries are constantly dying, even though they were fully charged. The biggest problems seem to be the connection status with the VEXNet controller and the Cortex. All the robots will only hold a connection for a few minutes at most. The VEXNet light is constantly flashing Green on the controller and Cortex. I have tethered them, switched keys and tried to reconfigure them. None of these solutions have worked.
It is too early in the year to be getting this frustrated with the kits so any suggestions or answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.