A category of powered LEGO products which offer direct and remote control of action bricks.
4
votes
2answers
195 views
Which LEGO Technic sets include instructions to add the Power Functions accessory box?
Some LEGO Technic sets apparently come with instructions to add a motor, using the pieces from the Power Function Accessory Box (set 8293).
Is there a list of the sets which do contain such ...
5
votes
1answer
129 views
How to improve the range of an IR reciever?
I am creating a new Truck which contains two IR receivers in the front hood.
With my testing I get a range of about 6 feet (I have also noticed the small Technic motors on the IR receiver are slow ...
11
votes
3answers
217 views
Is there a way to remotely operate the push-button light brick?
The push-button light brick seems to be popular with Lego at the moment, and included in quite a few sets.
I'd like to find a way of being able to operate it remotely, so that I can include the ...
14
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I motorize City-scale wheels?
I'd like to build city-scale (6 studs wide) vehicles motorized with either PF motor or clockwork. The primary problem right now is connecting wheel(s) to motor. Are there small enough LEGO wheels with ...
3
votes
1answer
57 views
What is new about the IR reciever in the 4x4 Crawler 9398?
Reading a review of the 4x4 it seems the IR receiver is different from what is included with the trains. From the review all the information we got was "improved CMOS motor driver with lower power ...
8
votes
1answer
218 views
Will playing with motor by hand damage it?
If you play with a train that is PF-motorized by hand, will you damage the motor? Or any of the other parts (IR Receiver, Battery box)?
It is essentially working as a generator when turned by hand, ...
4
votes
3answers
169 views
Making or buying a really long Power Functions cable
I'm working on a train layout and have built 2 automatic switches for the switch track. Each switch track is powered by M-Motor. I'd like to connect the 2 motors to a single IR receiver and battery ...
5
votes
1answer
422 views
What are the electrical properties of electric LEGO systems?
Several electric LEGO systems exist:
LEGO Trains
LEGO Technic Power Functions (PF)
LEGO Mindstorms (in several versions)
...?
How do these systems differ in electrical properties and which systems ...
7
votes
2answers
654 views
Can I remotly control the points on PF train tracks?
I'm interested in investing in power functions based trains, but want to automate switching points. Is this possible? What is the cheapest / easiest way of achieving this?
3
votes
1answer
406 views
Can 10153 9V train motor be powered by the Power Functions Battery pack?
I am currently making the switch to Power Functions with my Lego Train collection and am wondering if I can power the old 9v motors that I used with the metal rails, with a battery box from the power ...
5
votes
2answers
631 views
Does the PF Servo motor return to center?
Does the PF Servo motor, which was introduced in the 9398: 4x4 Crawler model, have return to center feature?
23
votes
6answers
2k views
What are the best options for building a LEGO RC car?
I would like to build a remote controlled car. And if someone already has a good solution for that I would be glad to try it.
It's been a while since I had the time and material to build some LEGO ...
6
votes
2answers
853 views
What's the best way to link two (or more) LEGO Power Functions (PF) train motors together?
Last Christmas I built an extended Emerald Night train to run around the tree. To get it to work I had to add a second Power Functions motor. I tuned both IR receivers to the same frequency and slowly ...
1
vote
0answers
269 views
How do you secure a power function motor to a technic extreme cruiser? [closed]
I am trying to help my son install a power function m motor in his Technic extreme cruiser. We found a good place to put the motor and if we hold it in place it does drive the rear wheels.
The ...
7
votes
1answer
437 views
What is the difference between train motors 88002 and 10153?
I want to motorize my Santa Fe Super Chief.
Its original instruction mentions 5300 but it's marked obsolete on BS.com and now re-released as 10153.
In the same time 88002 costs few times less, e.g. ...
6
votes
2answers
365 views
How to fix my XL motor?
I used the XL motor near water. Now it stopped working. Can someone tell me what I can do to fix it?
7
votes
2answers
327 views
Is it possible to add the power functions to Western Train Chase?
I recently got the Red Cargo Train and it's a great Lego set but a Cars themed train going around my Christmas tree would be even better.
Has anyone gotten the power functions to work on the Western ...
9
votes
1answer
354 views
Steering mechanism for City-scale vehicle
I'd like to build city-scale (6 studs wide) motorized vehicles with PF remote control. There are already several suggestions on how to motorize wheels. The next challenge is steering
mechanism that ...
4
votes
1answer
428 views
Does the Power Functions IR Remote Control 8885 make a good remote for a car?
I have the Power Functions IR Speed Remote Control 8879 and it's great for, well, the train it came with and maybe other applications where you don't need precise control. 8885 looks like it would ...
3
votes
1answer
85 views
Inverting voltage to PF motor
I often use separate PF motor for each driven wheel. Sometimes the most interesting design of mechanism requires opposite polarity of power supply to motors. Is there any simple non-destructive way to ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
What parts are really required to motorize 10219 Maersk Train?
The Official site detailed page states that:
Motorize your Maersk train by adding LEGO Power Functions #8878 Rechargeable Battery Box, #8887 Transformer 10V DC, #8884 IR Receiver, #8879 IR Speed ...
5
votes
1answer
452 views
What IR Codes are the Power Function remotes sending to the receiver?
The PF IR Speed Remote Control (the train one) is "7 speeds" but as I turn the dial to make it go faster it's hard to tell what speed it's at. I wonder if I could setup my programmable remote so that ...
8
votes
1answer
491 views
Can I use a generic (non-Lego) transformer with a rechargable Power Functions battery?
I've recently ordered a LEGO® 8878 Rechargeable Battery Box:
I was wondering if I really need to get the (rather expensive) LEGO® Power Functions Transformer or if I can substitute a (cheaper) ...
15
votes
3answers
553 views
How would you make a good pivot-arm suspension?
I once tried to make a 4 wheeled Lego robot using a pivot arm suspension system. The robot was motorized using 2 Mindstorm (2.0) motors (one one each side). I can't find and original picture but it ...
16
votes
3answers
2k views
How can I build a functional gearbox?
I'm looking for a fully functional (manual) transmission / gearbox for my Technics motorized vehicle. How can I build this?
