Hello there,

I need some help witj the 42114 Volvo Hauler and Control+. I just assembled it, but after calibration it runs with a maybe 15 degree right turn instead of driving straight. During assembly, I double-checked that the angular motor is set to its zero position (aligning markers). The joint is free to move all the way to both sides with no apparent resistance, if the motor is unplugged. Yet, even a repeated calibration ends up with the hauler slightly bent to the right again. I also feel like the calibration doesn't really try to move it all the way to the right or left. The result when playing is that the hauler can barely turn left.

Is there any way to, literally, set it straight? (Unfortunately, the angular motor and steering mechanism are well-hidden and inaccessible in this model and not easily inspected, but then again, it should be simple enough not to assemble it incorrectly. I can't think of what I could have done wrong. For that I would have to bring the angular motor to a 90 degree or 180 degree setting, so it would be much farther off than it is now.)

Edited January 1, 20214 yr by LegoCoyote

I managed to take a picture of the angular motor by removing the straight-six engine. After turning on, it moves almost 1/8th of a rotation clockwise. 20 degrees I guess. So definitely no construction error on my part as far as I can see, or it would have been off by 90 degrees.

 

 

Probably a misprinted 0° deg reference or a technical issue with the motor...

 

The Powered Up app has a steering block with autocalibration, you can try that for a quick comparision, print looks fine for me.

Image of the block:

https://www.doctor-brick.de/threads/alles-um-lego-powered-up-tips-tuning-und-alternative-software.11986/page-26#post-259042

Yes, the print is fine, or it wouldn't stand straigt when the markers are aligned.

 

Thanks for the hint about the Powered Up app. I tried that. When I use a self-centering slider, the angular motor also almost centers itself correctly. I can then use it to steer right and left just as it's supposed to be. Upon releasing the slider it goes almost straight again.

But once I go back into the Control+ app, the hauler instantly bends right again. :(

The PU app should calibrate by dividing the full angle by 2. C+ is looking for the internal 0 position. The check with PU was mainly to exclude building errors. Maybe try to hold the truck up a bit or flip it to reduce resistance while calibrating the steering.

For me it looks like a misplaced internal 0 position. There are unpleasant ways to check that: Remove the motor and check the behavior, and if you have an android device you can try some not very user friendly (I can sent you details if you want to do that) ways to get the real absolute position - if it shows an offset the motor was not correctly assembled and you need a replacement.

If you have a Lego store close to you maybe ask first if they can replace the motor, so you do not have to wait.

Edited January 2, 20214 yr by Gimmick

There is a Lego store where I work, but ATM it's closed for lockdown. I suppose it doesn't matter much whether I call the Lego support or have you send me your procedure (I can handle "not user-friendly"), but the latter might give me the knowledge I need to tell support what I need. So if you don't mind, please tell me.

@LegoCoyote I've sent you a massage.

Thanks!

I contacted Lego support now - they'll exchange the motor. In fact, they said that the communities in the boards are very valuable (so kudos to all of you) and if they're stumped already, then the thing is likely broken.

 

So thanks for all your help!

To conclude this: I got the new motor yesterday. I plugged it straight into the hub to test it, and it calibrates straight (more or less). Then I dismantled the hauler's front part (after having removed the differentials, the cylinders and the steering connections days ago to let my little kid "manually operate" it - it's sturdy enough) and just put it back together, with a couple of connectors and two axles being left over. No idea where they belong, but the whole thing is stable anyway and now drives and steers just fine.

Edited January 21, 20214 yr by LegoCoyote

And another issues with the 42114 solved! Glad to hear.