BuWizz - High Performance LEGO Power Functions Controller and Battery

[dustblue]

Hi guys, I bought 4 buwizz 3. Very powerful, but several downsides:

1.brickcontroller 2 doesn't support center steering of pu motors

2.Neither buwizz app or brickcontroller 2 support angle positioning of pu motors(like you cant use pu motor to shift transmission easily)

3.buwizz app doesn't support ps controller, yet. Buwizz told me they might roll out ps5 controller in a month. Cant wait!

 

That's all. Nice to meet you guys here, and sorry for my terrible English:)

[StudWorks]

Still having the current shut the BuWizz off a lot even after the update. 😣 I’m using the default current limit settings on my buggy with two BuWizz motors and a C+ motor for steering. Any help?

Here’s the screen on my phone right when the BuWizz shut off.

Edited September 28, 2023 by StudWorks

[aFrInaTi0n]

Some more information would be nice to give reasonable advices:
 

1. Which kind of motors?
2. For how long were they running until it shut down?
3. Weight of the model?

Seems the A Peaks are 2.35, so I am guessing its buggy motors - two of them (even of separate PF ports) easily drain too much from the battery (as you see the low voltage of 11.4 as a result).

Recommendations without knowing more would be:

1. Decrease the weight of the model
2. Change the gearing for having more torque but less rpm at the wheels
3. use more than one Buwizz (depending on 1. or 2. even one buggy can be too much with the wrong setup for one buwizz I guess)

[StudWorks]

56 minutes ago, aFrInaTi0n said:

Recommendations without knowing more would be:

1. Decrease the weight of the model
2. Change the gearing for having more torque but less rpm at the wheels
3. use more than one Buwizz (depending on 1. or 2. even one buggy can be too much with the wrong setup for one buwizz I guess)

It shouldn't need to do any of this, the buggy is already light, don't care for gearing down (would be slower), and plenty of BuWizz motor-powered builds only need one BuWizz and I don't need any more. I built this buggy (https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-151843/Lixander A./frog-buggy-comet-buggy-v2/) someone had built and it only started shutting down after I started playing with it for the first time in a long while.

Edited September 28, 2023 by StudWorks

[aFrInaTi0n]

Sorry if you felt somehow offended.

So as you mentioned it was sitting in a shelf for a longer time: LiPo batteries degrade over time (even more when they are stored in too hot environments and/or with too less voltage).

How long was the Buwizz not in use? & have you occationally reloaded to to 70-80% capacity?

Edited September 28, 2023 by aFrInaTi0n

[StudWorks]

1 hour ago, aFrInaTi0n said:

Sorry if you felt somehow offended.

So as you mentioned it was sitting in a shelf for a longer time: LiPo batteries degrade over time (even more when they are stored in too hot environments and/or with too less voltage).

How long was the Buwizz not in use? & have you occationally reloaded to to 70-80% capacity?

I’m going to recharge it to 100% right now. I haven’t used it in at least a month.

[aFrInaTi0n]

one month shouldn't be an issue if it wasnt put on shelf completely depleted.

I can only recommend to read about proper storage of lipos to be able to have a good power for as long as possible.. (from the drone world the hint is "one will never kill a lipo because of too many usage cycles - degration over time is what will kill it")

[aFrInaTi0n]

Oh, look at your inboxes:

 

Quote

New version of BuWizz App (beta) -Gamepad support

We are glad to inform you that we added Gamepad support to BuWizz App.

Current app version supports:

- Sony DualSense controller

- Xbox Wireless Controller (tested on latest model 1914, released in 2020)

Both Sony DualSense controller and Xbox Wireless Controller can be connected to your device via Bluetooth or USB-C cable. The USB-C connection is preferred where smallest possible lag between input and model reaction is desired.

Sony DualSense controller is supported on devices running Android 9 or newer.

Xbox Wireless Controller is supported on devices running Android 12 or newer. Support for older Android versions will be added in next release.

All iOS and IPadOS devices are supported.

A device with USB-C is needed for cable connection to gamepad controller, of course.

Beta versions of App are available on Play Store (Android) and App Store (iOS, iPadOS).

As I am only having a Google Chromecast freed up BT controller and another third party brand, I guess I won't be able to join the party directly.

But would be nice to hear some feedback from others!

Edited September 29, 2023 by aFrInaTi0n

[amorti]

I do have an Android Bluetooth pad with USB-b connection. Maybe that'll connect by wire?

[dustblue]

5 hours ago, aFrInaTi0n said:

Oh, look at your inboxes:

 

As I am only having a Google Chromecast freed up BT controller and another third party brand, I guess I won't be able to join the party directly.

But would be nice to hear some feedback from others!

I downloaded testflight and buwizz beta, but there is no option in buwizz that could connect to ps5 controller, anyone got some kind of instructions? Or they still didn't push the update out?

[aFrInaTi0n]

Only picture from their blog post. (its linked in my post)

I think zero may answer in some days to maybe give some hints.

[dustblue]

17 minutes ago, aFrInaTi0n said:

Only picture from their blog post. (its linked in my post)

I think zero may answer in some days to maybe give some hints.

Thanks bro! Hope they can do it sooner. I am sick of using touch screen to control mocs, and when using brick controller 2 buwizz 3 batteries almost alwasy shutdown, for any serious power output.

[Zerobricks]

I'm currently abroad for a LEGO-related event, but to answer quicky.

Simply plug or pair your controller and set it up in the CONTROLS LAYOUT SCREEN by pressing the CONTROLLER ICON and linking sliders to the controller inputs.

Currently only sliders are supported, buttons will be in next update.

I will update the user guide soon with more details.

[aFrInaTi0n]

Enjoy your event!

[dustblue]

4 hours ago, Zerobricks said:

I'm currently abroad for a LEGO-related event, but to answer quicky.

Simply plug or pair your controller and set it up in the CONTROLS LAYOUT SCREEN by pressing the CONTROLLER ICON and linking sliders to the controller inputs.

Currently only sliders are supported, buttons will be in next update.

I will update the user guide soon with more details.

Thanks! Tried it, only worked once, after that even without using a controller, buwizz app showed I am not connected to the batteries, but all 4 batteries were connected because the green light is constantly on. Tried multiple times all failed. Now I can only use brick controller 2 app if I keep the buwizz beta.

Also, after I click the controller icon, I cant see my previous control layout anymore, it was just blank, with nothing.

[Zerobricks]

On 9/30/2023 at 10:23 PM, dustblue said:

Thanks! Tried it, only worked once, after that even without using a controller, buwizz app showed I am not connected to the batteries, but all 4 batteries were connected because the green light is constantly on. Tried multiple times all failed. Now I can only use brick controller 2 app if I keep the buwizz beta.

Also, after I click the controller icon, I cant see my previous control layout anymore, it was just blank, with nothing.

Can you please share your profile on the Support and your phone info.

[pankov]

On 9/30/2023 at 11:23 PM, dustblue said:

Thanks! Tried it, only worked once, after that even without using a controller, buwizz app showed I am not connected to the batteries, but all 4 batteries were connected because the green light is constantly on. Tried multiple times all failed. Now I can only use brick controller 2 app if I keep the buwizz beta.

Also, after I click the controller icon, I cant see my previous control layout anymore, it was just blank, with nothing.

about the part "I cant see my previous control layout anymore, it was just blank, with nothing." I can only share my own experience on the subject.
When I ran the app the first time I got a bit angry that it wiped my onscreen layout but it turned out that in fact in only created a new blank screen layout for when using the controller where you can place a separate set of controls, gauges, etc and if you click on the icon in the top right corner of the "controls layout" configuration section in the main screen of the profile which now looks like a phone rather then the controller before you'll switch back to the controlling your device with just the phone screen and you'll have your old layout there ... or at least that's how it works for me.

[Zerobricks]

3 hours ago, pankov said:

about the part "I cant see my previous control layout anymore, it was just blank, with nothing." I can only share my own experience on the subject.
When I ran the app the first time I got a bit angry that it wiped my onscreen layout but it turned out that in fact in only created a new blank screen layout for when using the controller where you can place a separate set of controls, gauges, etc and if you click on the icon in the top right corner of the "controls layout" configuration section in the main screen of the profile which now looks like a phone rather then the controller before you'll switch back to the controlling your device with just the phone screen and you'll have your old layout there ... or at least that's how it works for me.

Exactly, that's how it's meant to work. It frees up the phone so you can put more gauges. On a personal side, i think i will build or print a phone support for my PS5 controller just for that functionality.

[Danil]

I would like to know whether support for other xbox controllers is planned or not? Having installed the beta version of the application and updated the firmware, I tried to establish a connection wirelessly and via wire with an xbox 1708 controller. The application did not see it.

[Zerobricks]

For now we decided to focus on current controllers and gettign basic functionality working, but we plan to add support for others later.

[pankov]

3 hours ago, Zerobricks said:

Exactly, that's how it's meant to work. It frees up the phone so you can put more gauges. On a personal side, i think i will build or print a phone support for my PS5 controller just for that functionality.

I personally bought this thing from AliExpress for less than 10 USD
http://ipega.hk/ps3ps4series/76-454.html
and I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out.
The whole setup is a bit top heavy and to be honest I'd prefer to just map every function to the controller buttons and leave my phone in a pocket ... which leads me to the following question:
Is there anything that can be done to keep the controller+BuWizz app combo working when the phone's screen is turned off? Is it something that the app can control at all or it's all Android's responsibility?

[dustblue]

6 hours ago, pankov said:

about the part "I cant see my previous control layout anymore, it was just blank, with nothing." I can only share my own experience on the subject.
When I ran the app the first time I got a bit angry that it wiped my onscreen layout but it turned out that in fact in only created a new blank screen layout for when using the controller where you can place a separate set of controls, gauges, etc and if you click on the icon in the top right corner of the "controls layout" configuration section in the main screen of the profile which now looks like a phone rather then the controller before you'll switch back to the controlling your device with just the phone screen and you'll have your old layout there ... or at least that's how it works for me.

Thanks a lot! 

I still cant connect to the batteries so no way to try it. I think I should wait until the software is functional and stay with BC2 for now. Hopefully they can make it at least as functional as BC2.

 

1 hour ago, Zerobricks said:

For now we decided to focus on current controllers and gettign basic functionality working, but we plan to add support for others later.

That's good, got basic functions done first. Please do support control one channel with different buttons/sticks like BC2! Right now one channel can only be controlled by one scroll bar, that's also one of the reasons I only test my mocs in buwizz app(mainly to see power consumption/currents) and in real playing I only use BC2.

6 minutes ago, pankov said:

I personally bought this thing from AliExpress for less than 10 USD
http://ipega.hk/ps3ps4series/76-454.html
and I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out.
The whole setup is a bit top heavy and to be honest I'd prefer to just map every function to the controller buttons and leave my phone in a pocket ... which leads me to the following question:
Is there anything that can be done to keep the controller+BuWizz app combo working when the phone's screen is turned off? Is it something that the app can control at all or it's all Android's responsibility?

wow thanks for sharing! Bought it, it could be used as a FPV screen support! I use DJI action 4 and it is very fluid.

[dustblue]

4 hours ago, Zerobricks said:

Exactly, that's how it's meant to work. It frees up the phone so you can put more gauges. On a personal side, i think i will build or print a phone support for my PS5 controller just for that functionality.

I plan to buy 4 more buwizz 3 after your controller support is functional(already have 4 now), without BC2 I wouldn't have bought them in the first place. You really should pay @imurvai something, at least respect

[pankov]

1 hour ago, dustblue said:

Please do support control one channel with different buttons/sticks like BC2! Right now one channel can only be controlled by one scroll bar, that's also one of the reasons I only test my mocs in buwizz app(mainly to see power consumption/currents) and in real playing I only use BC2.

It's already supported - you can link different buttons/joysticks to the same slider and you can even have to buttons/triggers (L2/R2) controlling the different directions of the slider - R2 for positive (acceleration) and L2 for negative (brake/reverse).

This reminds me of another question that I forgot to ask to the BuWizz team/Zerobricks - is there any way to have this setup R2->acceleration and L2->brake/reverse but L2 to not directly go into reverse but to be pure break while there is forward motion and even if the user continues to press it to have the vehicle stationary until it's depressed and then pressed again and only then it to start functioning as reverse.

This is default behavior in almost all real RC cars/vehicles and was wondering if BuWizz can mimic it.

As an alternative or additionally it'll be nice if it can mimic how some of the car games like Gran Turismo drive the cars - R2 - accelration, L2 - pure brake, triangle - turn on Reverse gear ... I'm not sure this can be accomplished right now in BuWizz but I'll be glad to be proven wrong

;)

Edited October 3, 2023 by pankov

[Zerobricks]

 

52 minutes ago, pankov said:

I personally bought this thing from AliExpress for less than 10 USD
http://ipega.hk/ps3ps4series/76-454.html
and I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out.
Is there anything that can be done to keep the controller+BuWizz app combo working when the phone's screen is turned off? Is it something that the app can control at all or it's all Android's responsibility?

Thanks for the tip, I will probably  procure some.

As far as I know, not it does make sense, since the controller is an input. For now I'd say increase sleep time.

49 minutes ago, dustblue said:

That's good, got basic functions done first. Please do support control one channel with different buttons/sticks like BC2! Right now one channel can only be controlled by one scroll bar, that's also one of the reasons I only test my mocs in buwizz app(mainly to see power consumption/currents) and in real playing I only use BC2.

wow thanks for sharing! Bought it, it could be used as a FPV screen support! I use DJI action 4 and it is very fluid.

You can trigger same slider with any digital or analog butons. And each slider can control multiple outputs at once.

7 minutes ago, pankov said:

This reminds me of another question that I forgot to ask to the BuWizz team/Zerobricks - is there any way to have this setup R2->acceleration and L2->break/reverse but L2 to not directly go into reverse but to be pure break while there is forward motion and even if the user continues to press it to have the vehicle stationary until it's depressed and then pressed again and only then it to start functioning as reverse.

I don't think that's possible, since the PF powered motors have no feedback - how will you know if the vegicle is really stopped?