Questions tagged [power-functions]

A category of powered LEGO products which offer direct and remote control of action bricks.

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I want to get started making GBC modules. Which powered bricks standard to choose in 2023?

There seem to be two competing standards for powered LEGO modules in 2023. Power Functions Powered Up I have read that Power Functions may be retired soon, but can easily work in a standalone ...
DavGin's user avatar
  • 135
4 votes
1 answer
138 views

Wobble problem with the PF L motor

So I got my hands on a used 42095 LEGO Technic set that I wanted for a long time. After disassembling it and testing PF for the first time, I have noticed that one of the motors is extremely wobbly, ...
Jackob's user avatar
  • 71
6 votes
2 answers
108 views

How to run Power Functions LEDs from a 12v supply?

I am considering building a train that uses a 12v motor from the 1980s and Power Functions LED lighting. For this to work it would be necessary to run the Power Functions LED set from one of the 12v ...
john_e's user avatar
  • 403
4 votes
1 answer
227 views

Is there a Good Replacement M Motor?

I teach robotics with technic parts and M motors. The motors I have bought on Ebay burn out quickly and fit axles poorly (either too tight or too loose). It is difficult to teach when students' motors ...
Legomarty's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
119 views

Motor stalls and starts smoking after roughly 5 seconds

I have done everything that I was supposed to (with the setup), and when I press the button to supply power to the motor, it stalls (sometimes), and when it does spin, I can see a small puff of white ...
Stanley's user avatar
5 votes
0 answers
145 views

IR remote 8879 - cannot control speed of the motor

I got the 7938 train set for my kid. I hook up the battery to the receiver and try the IR remote 8879 with it. The motor starts running/spinning, but I can not control the speed with the orange "...
Henrik Dahl's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
100 views

Power from single XL-Motor to both rear and front axles [closed]

I have a single XL motor and I would like to make my small car a 4WD one. Currently, it is just front-wheel drive. Any good instructions on transmitting power to rear wheels as well?
Ali Ok's user avatar
  • 111
6 votes
0 answers
267 views

Fix Lego M Motor - The hooks aren't budging

I have a Lego M motor that is broken. I'm following the instructions here to try to fix it but the little tabs that hold the plastic frame together just won't budge no matter how hard I'm pushing them ...
mj_'s user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
336 views

Motor problems in 60051

The motor in my High Speed Passenger Train set (60051) has stopped working properly. I just put brand new batteries in and it acts just like if they were worn. Moreover, the little brown capacitor ...
Heki's user avatar
  • 181
8 votes
1 answer
420 views

Does a LEGO Technic Power Functions L Motor work with a v1 receiver?

Does a LEGO Technic Power Functions L Motor work with a v1 receiver? I really want to know it, because then I know what motor I should buy.
Boaz van der Vorm's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
543 views

How do I build this robot car?

I want to start using more LEGO Technic, but I'm not sure what the best way is to buy the parts without breaking the bank. I'd really like to make a robot like the ones shown in this video. Making ...
tomh's user avatar
  • 203
6 votes
1 answer
256 views

LEGO or LEGO-compatible control for SG90 servo?

Is there a way to control three-wire servo (for example the SG90 servo or other common models) by LEGO Power Functions or CaDA power function?
Miranda's user avatar
  • 61
3 votes
1 answer
109 views

Can I control PF M-motor with PF train controller?

Can I control Power Functions M-motor from 8293 set with remote control from 60051 train set? It seems from the picture, that the sockets fit into each other. So if I have the train set, and want to ...
Display Name's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
164 views

Can I use the EV3 IR Sensor with a power functions remote?

In other words, I want to control my Lego Mindstorms EV3 robot with my Lego Power Functions remotes. The EV3 has an IR sensor, and the PF remotes are IR Remotes, but will they work together?
Corbin Kuster's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
527 views

Fix Power Functions cable near connector (L motor)

We have a broken cable on the power functions L motor. I've fixed an M-motor before in the engine, but this time the cut is near the connector. Unlike the M-motor, this connector doesn't have the ...
Jeroen's user avatar
  • 243
4 votes
1 answer
234 views

Battery Box 8881 not providing enough power

I bought a used 8881 battery box. It doesn't appear to work with anything. When I test it with a multimeter, I only get a voltage reading of ~0.5V. I tested each of the batteries, they each come out ~...
OliverRadini's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
624 views

Will non-Lego remote controls work with Lego IR receivers?

I bought a KAZI model of a Chinese bullet train CRH400F a month back and want to use a remote control. I bought an IR receiver and remote control, but the other IR receiver is lost in the post. So I'm ...
drt7uk's user avatar
  • 49
-2 votes
1 answer
131 views

How long does it take a M-motor to go 1 googol rotations?

How long would it take a Power Functions M-motor to turn 1 googol times? I have tried figuring it out with a calculator but I was confused.
Legofan35664's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
284 views

Does LEGO sell a DC relay for Power Functions?

I’d like to use a signal from a (5V) littleBits circuit to control some (9V) Power Functions motors. Does LEGO sell or recommend a DC relay to facilitate this sort of thing? If the answer is no, I’d ...
EJ Mak's user avatar
  • 450
0 votes
1 answer
155 views

Using Power functions to teach robotics

I am a robotics engineer and I would like to introduce and teach my girlfriend to robotics. I would like to first get her the material for the first project. I would love to build a small Lego car ...
TheMackou's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
426 views

Does remote control 8879 work for winter holiday train?

Can anyone tell me if the remote control 8879 will actually stop and start the 10254 Winter Holiday Train set?
Patrick's user avatar
  • 41
0 votes
1 answer
692 views

Can the Hogwarts Express train be motorised? [closed]

Can a Power Functions motor be fitted into the LEGO "Hogwarts Express" train? I have a spare motor and battery box and would like to fit them into this train.
joedub 55's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
540 views

Can Power Functions components work with the RCX?

I don't have the RCX, and neither do I have any PF stuff, but as they both have wire connectors which are almost identical, I'm thinking that they can both work together and are compatible. Is this ...
mindstormsboi's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
480 views

PF: One battery block, one IR receiver, two motors on same port

I have a heavy train with Power Functions. Now I want to use two train motors on the single loco. But as I understand, this is not possible with original LEGO parts? Do I need something like a three-...
Denis's user avatar
  • 123
5 votes
1 answer
7k views

LEGO Powered Up substitution for Power Functions Motor Set 8293

We have a Volvo EW160E, for which the product description says Upgrade with the 8293 LEGO Power Functions motor set (not supplied) for a fully motorised boom and working lights. Well, looks like ...
jrc's user avatar
  • 151
2 votes
1 answer
137 views

Does Power Functions 88002 fit a gray-era train and run on gray-era tracks?

Is the Power Functions Train Motor (set 88002) the right height for a gray-era train (set 7745)? Does the Power Functions Train Motor run OK on gray-era tracks?
hsivonen's user avatar
  • 123
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

Fixing a not working Power Functions L motor

Four of my PF L motors don't work. How could I make them work again? I didn't find any information about L motors, only M and XL.
Aistis Ciutas's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
132 views

Power Function IR Remote always emitting after putting batteries

My PF IR remote led indication light is constantly on after I put in new batteries. It stay on without me touching anything. A quick check with my phone camera showed that the IR emitter is emitting. ...
Ivan's user avatar
  • 31
2 votes
1 answer
93 views

How to prevent PF M-motor from springing back

I'm currently building a car with a simple 2-speed remote controlled synchronized transmission, shifted by a PF M-motor. Everything is fine except for one thing, the transmission driving ring is ...
technicguy1's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
353 views

Problem-shooting on 8070 "Super Car" with Power Functions

I have recently bought a used Lego Technic car (8070 Supercar). It was not fully built, and from the instructions I learned that it was fully built except for approximately the last 10 steps. I ...
Allerleirauh's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
2k views

What is the quietest LEGO motor?

What is the quietest LEGO motor? I am trying to make a sort of LEGO dolly for filming videos, but the motors emit a lot of sound. I noticed the train motor is quieter than the other motors I have, but ...
technicguy1's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
83 views

Can a v1 PF reciever power an XL motor and servo?

I have a v1 PF receiver but don't want to pay $35 for a v2 receiver and I was wondering if a v1 receiver can power a single XL/L motor and a servo.
technicguy1's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
102 views

Makeblock and LEGO PF cable synthesis

My 10yo son and I have ventured into the realm of taking our LEGO hobby up a notch with robotics. We have built the makeblock mbot and adapted LEGO bricks and want to incorporate the Power Functions ...
Jarod Thornton's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
275 views

Is there any easy, documented or official way to replace pullback mechanism with Motor Set 8293

There are many Technic cars with a pullback mechanism, like 42059, 42073 or 42072. Is there any systematic, easy, documented or official way to replace the pullback mechanism with the LEGO Technic ...
Allan Xu's user avatar
  • 440
5 votes
2 answers
2k views

What is a good third party battery box and receiver?

I got the LEGO 4x4 crawler for my birthday and I love it. But there is one slight thing which I hate: it has terrible range when using it outside. I know there is BuWizz which is a third party ...
Kyogre's user avatar
  • 53
6 votes
2 answers
2k views

Advice on Power Functions for an 11-year-old?

My 11-year old son wants to add power to his creations but neither of us know quite how to start this new adventure. He doesn't have any Technic or Mindstorms sets. Looking through sets online, it ...
jact's user avatar
  • 61
-1 votes
2 answers
637 views

Can you print a LEGO Powered Up connector with a 3D printer?

Has anyone ever printed a LEGO Powered Up connector with a 3D printer? Currently, I'm using a modified SATA adapter for some LED lights on my train.
Chris's user avatar
  • 11
2 votes
2 answers
9k views

Adding Power Functions to LEGO Mack Anthem Truck (42078)

Does anyone have experience adding Power Functions to set #42078 LEGO Mack Anthem truck? It’s a Technic set, but only features manually actuated functions. I have seen it motorized on YouTube, ...
Philosopher7's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
292 views

Has Anyone Motorized Ocean Explorer Set #42064?

Me gustaría saber si tiene alguien monitorizado motorized el LEGO Technic - Explorador oceánico 42064 y si es así si alguien podría pasarme las instrucciones? Muchas gracias! Google Text Translated: ...
Namnam25's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
596 views

Are there any difference between the Power Functions 88003 and 99499 L motors?

I am planning to attempt a couple of RC MOCs and was looking up the power functions L motor on BL and found that there are actually 2 types of the L motor, namely the "88003 Power Functions L Motor" ...
Fong's user avatar
  • 51
6 votes
1 answer
852 views

Which resistor value is used for which motor in Power Functions 2.0?

Based on the answer here it seems that resistors are used to detect what is plugged in with LEGO Power Functions 2.0. So which resistor values (or ranges) apply to which motors or other devices? Are ...
chicks's user avatar
  • 5,235
3 votes
1 answer
125 views

Is it expected that LEGO will produce small (S or XS) PF motors?

The existing LEGO PF motors are the M, L, and XL, making builders suspect that the S and even the XS names were left out and reserved intentionally for later designs. However, the M motor was released ...
BalazsToth's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
572 views

Confused about Power Functions M-motor 8883 and 8293

Is the motor that comes with the Technic power functions motor set (8293) and the stand alone motor 8883 the same? We have just built the LEGO Creator 10261 roller coaster set and it specifies a 8883 ...
Magic Bullet Dave's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
75 views

How much do the PF XL motors help speed in the 4x4 crawler?

I'm wanting an answer if anyone has swapped the PF L motors in the 4x4 crawler to PF XL motors and if this increases the speed or not.
Nick's user avatar
  • 51
3 votes
2 answers
233 views

XL motor and M motor on IR receiver = same output?

I am really puzzled by my small car build with balloon tires (55976). I tried swapping between an XL and an M (PF) motor, both geared down (up?) to about the same torque (I tested by how sleep a slope ...
fltcpt's user avatar
  • 31
1 vote
2 answers
699 views

Third power functions train runs backwards, why?

We have the passenger train and freight train, both run from a single controller - one through the red and one through the blue side. At Christmas we got the holiday train, and with the power ...
Terry Hill's user avatar
12 votes
1 answer
16k views

How can I motorize 42077 Technic Rally Car with LEGO Power Functions?

The new 42077 Technic Rally Car set looks really nice, and even has a built-in steering system which can be controlled by a gear on the top. There's also a fair bit of extra room inside, is there a ...
Alexander O'Mara's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
185 views

Can I use two remote-controlled LEGO Tracked Racers 42065 simultaneously?

I want to buy two sets of the LEGO Tracked Racer 42065 so that my children can play together. I can't tell if they would be able to use the racers simultaneously. Are the IR receivers multi-channel? ...
Mohamad's user avatar
  • 173
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

Using the unregulated motor block and conversion cable to light LEDs

I have the following setup: It consists out of An EV3 brick A nxt to 9v conversion cable (https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=x1676) A 20 cm 9v to Power Functions conversion ...
Michael Verschaeve's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
665 views

What about Power Functions motor, S size?

LEGO Power Functions has motors in M, L and XL sizes. Usually, if someone uses this size designations, the smallest one is S. It would make sense to have them named S, M and L if there were meant to ...
Mołot's user avatar
  • 1,409