13
votes
Accepted
How to build a steerable remote-controlled vehicle with just 1 motor?
This can be done without a caster wheel as well:
Start out with a three wheeled vehicle, with two wheels in the front and one smaller wheel with less traction than the front wheels in the back. All ...
- 651
13
votes
Accepted
Alternative to LEGO CONTROL+ app
There is an alternative app called BrickController 2. This open source software is available for both Android as well as iOS. This application is actively developed and its maintainer can be reached ...
- 22.4k
10
votes
Accepted
Difference between the "Simple Medium Linear Motor" (45303) and the "Medium Linear Motor" (88008) Powered Up motors
The main difference is that the 88008 Medium Linear Motor includes a rotation encoder with 1° resolution. Otherwise it weighs a bit more (34g vs 43g), is a bit slower (380 rpm vs 255 rpm) but also ...
- 15.6k
8
votes
Arduino-izing LEGO Technic - ideas for a car / vehicle to choose
I'd be tempted to use the Batmobile (76112) design:
Basically, you have independent motors for the left and right wheels. This allows you to steer quickly and easily without the fuss of a traditional ...
- 39.8k
7
votes
Accepted
My 9398 crawler going in reverse way
From the power functions FAQ:
Why does my Power Functions model drive backward when I want it to run forward? You can change the direction your model runs by flipping
the small black switches ...
- 10.9k
7
votes
Accepted
Can I use two remote-controlled LEGO Tracked Racers 42065 simultaneously?
Yes, LEGO's Power Function IR elements have 4 different channels you can switch between with an orange slider on the receivers and remotes, so you can run up to 4 at a time.
- 13.3k
6
votes
How do I make a remote control car without LEGO motors?
It sounds like you are asking how to motorize your own custom LEGO creations using motors that you may already have around the house rather than purchasing official motors.
Before I answer this, I ...
- 39.8k
6
votes
How to build a steerable remote-controlled vehicle with just 1 motor?
In WeDo 2.0 app "LEGO® Education WeDo 2.0" there is a complete project 12. Steer that is exactly about that
When it drives forward it goes in straight line, when it drives backward it then turns to ...
- 161
6
votes
Accepted
Running Power Functions Train Without IR Receiver/Remote
There is a fairly easy and cheap way to do this since you don't want real variable speed control. As you noted, connecting the AAA battery box directly to the PF train motor technically works, but the ...
- 39.8k
6
votes
Accepted
What LEGO Power Functions parts do I need to make an RC car?
Your assumptions appear to be mostly correct. Just for clarity, these are the minimum parts required:
A battery box
A motor for driving
A motor for steering (unless you want to try a steer-on-reverse ...
- 39.8k
6
votes
Alternative to LEGO CONTROL+ app
There is a free app called buwizz. It is a great alternative that gives more freedom, and works on Android.
- 61
6
votes
How to Motorise 42111 Dom's Charger Technic
There are several such MOCs in existence around the Internet:
https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-42193/Porlock/fully-rc-lego-technic-doms-dodge-charger-model-42111-with-fast-buggy-motor-lights-and-some-...
- 15.6k
6
votes
Motorized Excavator (8043) set alternatives
I'm afraid there is no other excavator in LEGO Technic line like 8043. It is quite unique in that it has both driving and its functions motorized. Which is why it keeps its value even on second hand ...
- 22.4k
5
votes
Lego® Train 60051 alternate IR remote
There are some limited options for third-party remote control add-ons but Lego doesn't license or endorse them and they're not (as far as I know) made with improved accessibility in mind. However, it ...
- 6,151
5
votes
Accepted
LEGO Submarine waterproofing functional parts (e.g. motors, RC receivers)
The method they used to secure the battery/controller was to wrap it in a sealed plastic bag, something similar to this could be done for the motors. It would be more difficult since you would need a ...
- 1,911
5
votes
Accepted
Can several users control one Powered Up train using different devices?
As far as I know, this is not possible using the current stock firmware. The battery box can only pair with one device. The UI on the battery box is a single button, and for simplicity the device is ...
- 39.8k
5
votes
Accepted
Arduino-izing LEGO Technic - ideas for a car / vehicle to choose
If I were you, I'd try to use a car chassis as simple as possible.
This would achieve multiple goals:
By using a vehicle with the least amount of complexity you can keep the price low.
By avoiding ...
- 15.6k
5
votes
Accepted
Why doesn't my LEGO Micropython remote control program work?
You can get community support for Pybricks at https://github.com/pybricks/support.
ir.buttons(1) returns a list of pressed buttons, so in this particular program
if ir.buttons(1) == Button.BEACON:
...
- 9,483
5
votes
Accepted
EV3 with 6 motors
On Powered Up hubs like SPIKE Prime, all ports are the same and can be used with motors or sensors. That means you can use 6 motors and no sensors if you need to on SPIKE Prime.
On EV3, ports A-D are ...
- 9,483
4
votes
How to build a steerable remote-controlled vehicle with just 1 motor?
I designed some WeDo 2.0 models that can drive and steer using just one motor.
This one uses a system of gears to alternately drive the left or right wheel of a differential drive robot, depending on ...
4
votes
Running Power Functions Train Without IR Receiver/Remote
LEGO train motors get powered using a 9V cable. Philo (who also visits this site) has an excellent site with all the features and characteristics about the PowerFunctions motor system, which includes ...
- 16.9k
4
votes
What is this silver and transparent green electronic piece for / from
This is a Spybotics Module from set 3809-1 Technojaw T55.
- 16.9k
4
votes
Accepted
Why remote controls are seldom used in Technic sets?
Many Technic sets are small and wouldn't fit motors or need remote controls.
Beyond that it is an extra expense which they need to leave out to make things available at various price points. In some ...
- 5,235
4
votes
Accepted
Turn on LEGO Mindstorms robot remotely
I know for a fact (from reading the EV3 schematics), the only way to turn on an EV3 is by pressing the center button.
Here are some ideas to work around this issue:
Create another robot that presses ...
- 9,483
4
votes
Accepted
Why is the LEGO IR Receiver V2 not widely produced? Or are they?
No, the V2 receiver isn't available in any new products. It's only available in the sets you mentioned.
The most likely reason it's not available in new products is that the production cost would be ...
- 10.9k
4
votes
What is the function of this device? What kit? Black remote with 5 buttons and 3 AAA batteries?
It's a Spybotics remote from 2002.
It came in 4 sets, and works with the receiver in those sets. I found this page which talks a bit about them.
- 13.3k
4
votes
Can I use two remote-controlled LEGO Tracked Racers 42065 simultaneously?
Another friend in our LUG uses 4 models at a time. Two for each of her sons, one for their uncle and one for herself...
She redid the models in splendid new color schemes:
- 10.9k
3
votes
Running Power Functions Train Without IR Receiver/Remote
Easy solution. Use 3 dead batteries, 3 new batteries. Achieved perfect speed.
Dead batteries are easy to find in kids toys :)
- 29
3
votes
Problem with the range for controlling Sunset Cruiser 8676
I had a 8378-1: Red Beast RC (which is practically the same hardware aside from running on a different frequency) that developed a similar problem shortly after I got it. One day the receiver only ...
- 13.3k
3
votes
LEGO Submarine waterproofing functional parts (e.g. motors, RC receivers)
In this video:
Building a Lego-powered Submarine 3.0 - balloon and compressor
They use a tupperware box, with magnets either side, motors on the inside of the box, and some low-friction tape to ...
- 203
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible