Power Functions Controllers Index & Discussion

[Jim]

Since various Power Functions Controllers are popping up lately, I figured it might be a nice idea to have an Index combined with a General Discussion topic.

CONTROLLERS

SmartBrick (SBrick) General Discussion

BuWizz - High Performance LEGO Power Functions Controller

BlueSmartControl

INPUT DEVICES

Control SBrick with Android Game Controller

[Jim]

There was another controller recently. Maybe someone can refresh my memory...

[SevenStuds]

Was it the BlueSmartControll?

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=108520

[Jim]

Was it the BlueSmartControll?

Yes sir, it was! Thanks

[Ivan_M]

I have only recently came from my dark age and I don't have many PF components so far, but I would like to make full RC models. So far I have 4L motors, 2M motors, switch, extension cable and both sizes of BB. I also have micro motor, old 9V motor and some old parts from my yought. I prefer to build complex models with many motors (cranes, excavators etc., 5-8 motors)

IR:

+Cheaper (V1), physical control, no setup time, more versatile*, purist solution

- Limited to 8 channels, control range/visibility, overcurrent protection too low, another batteries for remote controllers

SBrick:

+ Smaller, large range, many channels, can supply more demanding motors

- Much more expensive, touch screen control**, long setup time, less versatile*, not purist

* I have figured that I might need up to 3 Sbricks where 4 IR conrollers would be fine - for example tracked crane - one IR in base and 3 on roataing superstructure. I know this can be avoided etc., it just bugs me.

** Or gamepad, I know, but its another device to setup, another app, more problems?

The question is simple, where would you spend money if you didn't have any means for PF RC yet? Thanks

[BrickbyBrickTechnic]

Buwizz.

[Ivan_M]

Well that is the question mark in topic title. I have thought about it many times but I have decided to avoid it:

- It is awfully expensive when you want to control more than 4 motors = I would need at leas two units (220$)

- the app is more like beta atm and so far I'm not convinced it will move forward much, it seems to me the time between updates from buwizz team is getting longer and longer

- space demanding when more than one used in model

 

Maybe I'm wrong in 2nd statement, I don't have it obviously, maybe the app is much better now?

[Marxpek]

2x IR-receiver plus 2 remotes is similar to what 1 s-brick can do (assuming you already own a smartphone), but costs are lower with the s-brick and it opens up more options.

A buwizz would be even better since you will have a rechargeable battery built in with even more options.

The s-brick/buwizz will also allow you to control more than 8 motors (ir only has 4x dual channel)

If i would not have any controllers yet i would pick a buwizz, but i own several ir- receivers and 2 s-bricks, so i'll stick with this for now. (however i will buy a buwizz one day)

[syclone]

To start collecting parts again I would say that PF IR would be the best, after all, people have been building MOCs only with PF for almost ten years.

[teflon]

If you just have started again with Technic, then majority of your money should/would go to new sets. Hence PF IR is optimal at this stage, since for sure you'll come across one or two in sets.

After you'll get your taste developed, you can go into BT controllers if necessary. I personally use sBrick and BuWizz mostly on fast vehicles, since it makes a lot sense. On slower machines the control speed and reliability is not such an issue.

[Jim]

I will merge this with the PF Controllers Index and Discussion (this topic).

 

[kbalage]

I think currently SBrick is the most flexible choice. You are not limited with the shorter range of IR, you can hide the receiver anywhere in the model, you can still use the cheaper PF battery boxes, you can even create your own programs/sequences for control, and with imurvai's great app you even can have physical controls. I really like the power that BuWizz offers in a small form factor, but the app still has a long way to go until it reaches its full potential.

[Jim]

9 hours ago, kbalage said:

I think currently SBrick is the most flexible choice...

I concur. SBrick is probably the way to go. For all the reasons kbalage mentioned.

[Ivan_M]

Thank you everyone for your input, I have found very good deal for new sbrick for 48€, that is almost the same price as IR (2 receivers+2 controls) so I will go for it!

[Marxpek]

@Ivan_M don't forget to order an extension cord to hook up the s-brick!

Edited May 24, 2017 by Marxpek

[JDL1967]

Hello Guys,

Can someone tell me how mutch pf pieces ( M-motor, XL-motor, Servo, leds ect. ) can be put on 1 batterybox?

Or is there a topic where i can find it out? I am building an big moc, but the batteryboxes are getting very, very hot.

So i think that the 2 boxes for all the pf components arend inough to do the job. 

So if i know what the max is to put on a single batt. box i can fix the problem.

Any advize is very mutch appreciated...

[AkiyamaWataru]

@JDL1967 The early boxes have currentlimitation of a constant 750mA. They darker glowing newer boxea have no limit. In @SarielSaSarielSaSaSarielSaSarielSaSa book is an encyclopedia of the available motors and there current consume while stalling.

[JDL1967]

O ok. Have to buy that book to then. I bought the boxes about 3 months ago in the lego shop. Tnx for your info @AkiyamaWataru

[Jim]

2 minutes ago, JDL1967 said:

O ok. Have to buy that book to then. I bought the boxes about 3 months ago in the lego shop. Tnx for your info @AkiyamaWataru

I will post a review of that book tomorrow  

[JDL1967]

Ok, and will follow that review then. Maybe it can solve my problem, and i can see if i would buy one. I think i will, like his other book also..

[Jim]

Hmmm I think my review is about "the other book" :P

[TechnicSummse]

9 hours ago, AkiyamaWataru said:

@JDL1967 The early boxes have currentlimitation of a constant 750mA. They darker glowing newer boxea have no limit. 

This is wrong!!!

The old boxes glow darker... the new ones are glowing brighter. AND they also have a current limit... guys are guessing it is something about 1000mA... but it could also be the same 750, then in the old version.

The new one can not even support a single buggy-motor for more then 5 seconds, if the motor has some load.

TLG says:

Quote

1. If you have too many motors running at the same time it will trigger the overload protection of the system. As a rule of thumb, you can drive 2 Power Functions XL-Motors, 3 Power Functions Train Motors or 4 Power Functions M-Motors at the same time from one Power Functions Battery Box. The XL-Motor requires about twice as much power as the M-Motor.

 

Edited August 5, 2017 by TechnicSummse

[AkiyamaWataru]

@TechnicSummse Interesting... I pulled this info from what I gathered here and the philos page.

Might have to do some testing, when I'm back at my lego's

[JDL1967]

Isn'd it so that an overload protection shut a device down? Witch have to mean that the batt. bat have to stop. In my case it becomes very hot. I used the normal one not the rechargeble one. I had to do a test following the instructions. In the moc there are 2 battery boxes for 9 M-motors, 2 L-motors, 2 Servo motors, 4 XL-motors, 5 leds, 4 ir recievers and 2 S- bricks. I think that is a bit to mutch for 2 batt. boxes. It dont use all of them at the same time but lets say by driving it use 4 XL motors, 2 Servo's and the leds if choosen. Also atleast 1 ir reciever and 1 s-brick. I will check it out agai when the build is completely done..

[JDL1967]

I just have seen some things from @jrx that looks promising. I think there is a solution to this problem, i only need to find it..