BuWizz - High Performance LEGO Power Functions Controller and Battery

[gyenesvi]

1 hour ago, Alex Ilea said:

Yeah. I don't know exactly the names of the buttons, but the right trigger finger 1 (controller) works on right trigger finger 2 in the app.

I see. I tried all combinations, other buttons work, except for the trigger and shoulder ones.

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I spend 30-50 minutes to make the steering calibration work.

LOL, that sounds a lot..

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It sometimes doesn't work (switch the ports then), sometimes it doesn't center, sometimes it's too aggressive ( this can be changed in steering module settings, at the bottom. There are 3 presets for heavy-med-light, it's worth experimenting with these). 

I know those settings, just all looks somewhat counterintuitive. For example, some settings are the same for light and heavy, but different for medium. It's not like it's changing monotonously. Pretty hard to find out which way to set it. Also, the presets don't follow the recommendations in the documentation!! If they'd at least follow those, the presets could actually be useful!

More meaningful parameter names could also help in the app, and 2-3 main parameters would be enough for many use case, it's just I never remember which ones.. Not really user friendly at all.

 

Oh, and the bonus one; an obvious bug in both Android and iPhone, right when you start out: you give your profile a name, go back to the main screen, and it does not display the name you just gave (remains 'New Profile'). You need to restart the app to actually make it display the proper name you gave. How hard could it be to catch that?

Edited May 27, 2024 by gyenesvi

[JLiu15]

Hey guys, recently I've noticed something with my BuWizz 2.0 that occurs whenever Fast or Ludicrous mode is selected. In Fast and Ludicrous modes, if I have a PF Servo Motor connected to the BuWizz, the motor would keep making the re-calibrating noise (that brief high pitched sound you hear whenever power to it is turned on, e.g. when connected to a PF IR Receiver). Does anyone know what may be causing this issue and if there's something I can try to fix it, or is this normal? I've only noticed it on my most recent MOC to use BuWizz, as I use the Fast/Ludicrous modes to control the brightness of PF LED lights. I use the BuWizz to primarily power two RC Buggy Motors (only one motor per port of course) and I haven't noticed any performance issues with those in Fast/Ludicrous mode, only that it would sometimes cut power if I accelerate too hard (but that's pretty normal from my experience). Any help is appreciated!

[aFrInaTi0n]

I may re-start my ranting series againt the vendor... They really seem to suck and are doing this shitty non-informing behavior AGAIN with their customers!!! Not complying to their given word to the community already once is considered bad pratice - but seems they did not learn a thing..

Right now I would really recommend new customers to NOT BUY products from Fortronik, as the company is a pita when it comes to supporting their product with software updates... waiting the second year for no (relevant) new features like a mandatory needed failover mode for losing the connection.

Edited June 24, 2024 by aFrInaTi0n

[gyenesvi]

5 hours ago, JLiu15 said:

Hey guys, recently I've noticed something with my BuWizz 2.0 that occurs whenever Fast or Ludicrous mode is selected. In Fast and Ludicrous modes, if I have a PF Servo Motor connected to the BuWizz, the motor would keep making the re-calibrating noise (that brief high pitched sound you hear whenever power to it is turned on, e.g. when connected to a PF IR Receiver). Does anyone know what may be causing this issue and if there's something I can try to fix it, or is this normal?

I actually noticed that too on my model, and I was getting worried if my servo is getting worn out or something.

Another strange thing I noticed today, is that in Ludicrous mode, the Buwizz 2 was unable to move a PF M motor under small load (gearbox) at 50% power, but is easily able to move it in Fast / Normal mode (at 50% power). At the same time, I heard a similar squeaking sound, as if it was struggling. That must be some glitch in PWM control I guess, I've read that that can produce motor sounds in various pitches.

[Zerobricks]

On 6/24/2024 at 7:23 PM, JLiu15 said:

Hey guys, recently I've noticed something with my BuWizz 2.0 that occurs whenever Fast or Ludicrous mode is selected. In Fast and Ludicrous modes, if I have a PF Servo Motor connected to the BuWizz, the motor would keep making the re-calibrating noise (that brief high pitched sound you hear whenever power to it is turned on, e.g. when connected to a PF IR Receiver). Does anyone know what may be causing this issue and if there's something I can try to fix it, or is this normal? I've only noticed it on my most recent MOC to use BuWizz, as I use the Fast/Ludicrous modes to control the brightness of PF LED lights. I use the BuWizz to primarily power two RC Buggy Motors (only one motor per port of course) and I haven't noticed any performance issues with those in Fast/Ludicrous mode, only that it would sometimes cut power if I accelerate too hard (but that's pretty normal from my experience). Any help is appreciated!

Do you happen to have servo connected to port 4? I found and reported the same glitch a while ago on that port when using a servo in Ludicrous mode. 

[JLiu15]

On 6/26/2024 at 5:08 AM, Zerobricks said:

Do you happen to have servo connected to port 4?

It was connected to port 2 I think.

[BlueStar1]

Just created a MOC that feature a Buwizz 2, 2 Buwizz motors and 1 servo

The car is so big that I can't accelerate without putting the Buwizz on surge 🤣 I need to keep a external battery connected to the Buwizz if I want it to work... I guess using two Buwizz instead of only one would fix the problem right? 

Also I was wondering, is it possible to limit the angle of the servo? I mean if I leave it normally, when you turn the wheels are tilted too much and the car loses all its speed. So I had to put parts to prevent the servo from running at full speed but I'm not sure it's good for the motor. Is there no way to do it from the Buwizz app? 

[Alex Ilea]

2 hours ago, BlueStar1 said:

The car is so big that I can't accelerate without putting the Buwizz on surge 🤣

Is there no way to do it from the Buwizz app? 

Maybe show a picture of the build so we can help you exactly? You will with experince learn to "baby" the motors and the brick.

If you use a PF servo motor I think you can limit the angle by setting the power curves lower in the app. 

[BlueStar1]

4 minutes ago, Alex Ilea said:

Maybe show a picture of the build so we can help you exactly

If you look the picture I had to put those blue parts so the servo can't turn at maximum angle. 

https://imgur.com/a/lnw1GlF

5 minutes ago, Alex Ilea said:

power curves lower in the app

If I curve them lower, the servo don't even turn anymore... (yep I tried) 

[Alex Ilea]

10 minutes ago, BlueStar1 said:

If you look the picture I had to put those blue parts so the servo can't turn at maximum angle. 

https://imgur.com/a/lnw1GlF

If I curve them lower, the servo don't even turn anymore... (yep I tried) 

Yes, that will damage the servo 100%. What about changing the current limits or the ramp. Try, it might work.

[Zerobricks]

23 minutes ago, BlueStar1 said:

If you look the picture I had to put those blue parts so the servo can't turn at maximum angle. 

https://imgur.com/a/lnw1GlF

If I curve them lower, the servo don't even turn anymore... (yep I tried) 

I thinl you can easily increase the steering angle by redesigning the steeering mechanism. I would also recommend you using normal hubs, instead of planetary ones if they are not driven. Finally, you can reduce steering angle using ramps, if we are talking about a PF servo motor.

[BlueStar1]

16 minutes ago, Alex Ilea said:

ramp

 

4 minutes ago, Zerobricks said:

reduce steering angle using ramps

Sorry (it may be a basic thing) but what do you both mean by ramps? 

4 minutes ago, Zerobricks said:

I would also recommend you using normal hubs, instead of planetary ones

I realized that (and I don't know why) with normal hubs the towballs detach from the hub while driving... Its not possible to drive then

[Zerobricks]

6 minutes ago, BlueStar1 said:

 

Sorry (it may be a basic thing) but what do you both mean by ramps? 

I realized that (and I don't know why) with normal hubs the towballs detach from the hub while driving... Its not possible to drive then

I meant power curves, sorry.

Also add some beams conecting the suspension arms together, so the hubs can't pop out.

Edited July 7, 2024 by Zerobricks

[BlueStar1]

1 minute ago, Zerobricks said:

Also add some beams conecting the suspension arms together, so the hubs can't pop out.

Of cooourse 💀 I had thinked about doing this but totally forgot thank you for reminding me of that 

Concerning power curves, If I put it low the servo can't turn anymore, if I put it high it turns too much, I haven't been able to find something between both... 

[Aurorasaurus]

11 hours ago, BlueStar1 said:

Of cooourse 💀 I had thinked about doing this but totally forgot thank you for reminding me of that 

Concerning power curves, If I put it low the servo can't turn anymore, if I put it high it turns too much, I haven't been able to find something between both... 

By any chance is it a brandless fake servo? I know those have issues with only having 3 positions.

[BlueStar1]

7 hours ago, Aurorasaurus said:

By any chance is it a brandless fake servo? I know those have issues with only having 3 positions.

Yup, im using a fake servo because i think its a little more reactive than the og ones

[Aurorasaurus]

56 minutes ago, BlueStar1 said:

Yup, im using a fake servo because i think its a little more reactive than the og ones

Ahh, there's the problem. Fake servos, even ones capable of proportional control, don't seem to work proportionally with Buwizz

[pankov]

Aurorasaurus,

Can you share which no OG Lego servos with proportional control are you referring to? Any available right now?

[Aurorasaurus]

30 minutes ago, pankov said:

Aurorasaurus,

Can you share which no OG Lego servos with proportional control are you referring to? Any available right now?

Yup, I've heard from others the MouldKing has a proportional servo, and I know Cada has one. The only way I found to get a proportional input from the Cada one was to plug a buggy motor on the same port - not ideal. The Cada one is on decadastore.com and I dont know about the MK one.

[BlueStar1]

I don't know which one this one is to be honest... I only know that it's not an official one https://imgur.com/a/fr3dXkF

[Aurorasaurus]

20 minutes ago, BlueStar1 said:

I don't know which one this one is to be honest... I only know that it's not an official one https://imgur.com/a/fr3dXkF

That appears to be a MK one to me, but I'm not 100%

[aFrInaTi0n]

To be sharp, it is one from the manufacturer GoBricks (where MK buys parts from to create their sets from). This only allows for +90°/0°/-90°

[shroomzofdoom]

Is it possible to use two PU motors in a single center steer setup on BW 3.0? After some melted plastic, I believe the answer is 'no' 😁

It tried but it doesn't look like the tracked steer config will do it either? It works for PF servo motors but doesn't seem to calibrate the two PU motors.

I built some heavy duty axles with ridiculous tires and I want to do a 4 wheel steering configuration. Unfortunately, there's no easy way to move this much wheel without two motors for steering. The PF steering servo and single PU motors stall unless I locate one on each axle.htt

EDIT: It does work! I just had to create two different center steering logic modules. I was trying to use a single one previously. 

ps://iili.io/dut7vUJ.md.jpg

Edited July 31, 2024 by shroomzofdoom

[Zerobricks]

20 hours ago, shroomzofdoom said:

EDIT: It does work! I just had to create two different center steering logic modules. I was trying to use a single one previously. ://iili.io/dut7vUJ.md.jpg

Yes, it should, you should be able to use all 4 ports at once for smart functions such as steering and gearboxes. Also you should be able to control both axles independently.

Edited August 1, 2024 by Zerobricks

[EvilEnderman]

Just bought 2x BuWizz 3.0, but the software has bugged out on me

Yesterday, I was driving it just fine - had a controller connected and everything, drove sweet as.

Today when I got back from work, turned on the bricks, fired up the app, and now when I connect, i'm getting massive input lag (>10 seconds) (With both controller and on screen controls)

press the accellerator slightly, nothing happens for 10 seconds, then the motors just stay on for a random amount of time, going at random speeds, sometimes directions, before turning off again.  Same thing with steering, it does follow the input, just with an unpredictable time delay (10s or more). All the outputs work, just unpredictable and massively delayed.

Occasionally it will respond normally for a few seconds but then goes straight back to behaving weird.

I have tried turning my phone on and off again, clearing the app cache, clearing all app data, restarting app and bricks several times, making a new profile, and nothing works.

EDIT: This issue only seems to happen when I select a profile with 2x BuWizz 3.0 - I made a profile with just one of them, switching between both units, and both work OK on their own. The issue is only when I try to use them in tandem...

 

Any advice?

Edited August 6, 2024 by EvilEnderman
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