8448 - Remote

[Kamil]

Remote Controlled Super Street Sensation

Main Objective:

Integrating a reasonable PF remote control package into the beautiful 8448 Super Street Sensation model.

Second Objective:

Adding independent light systems.

The original instructions of the 8448 set include a modification with the 8735 motor set for only operating the engine-transmission system when the car is raised above the ground. So a complete remote control system must be designed for moving 8448 independently on the ground. This topic shows my personal approach for obtaining a remote 8448.

1. Steering:

The main steering gears are placed between the gearbox and the front axle.

Twin torque-limiters are used for protecting the motor and the gears. Twin limiters provide enough friction to operate steering system on a short haired carpet but no more than this. So anything else that stops the steering system cause no damage. An M-motor is used and placed in front of the passenger seat. A couple of gears between the motor and the torque-limiters optimizes the final speed-torque. The gears do not obstruct anything on the mechanical parts of the 8448.

The steering wheel is still in its place and it works when the car is operated remotely.

2. Rear Wheel Drive:

Rear wheels are driven by an additional 24 tooth gear which is placed between the gearbox and the differential. Triple torque-limiters are added in order to protect the motor and transmission from overload.

An XL motor drives the system via a couple of speed increasing gears. This was done because high torque caused torque-limiter slipping. The torque of the motor is optimized by the gears to prevent slipping.

Everything (including the battery box) is compacted to fit in the rear compartment.

3. Remote Control:

The 8879 remote controller has some advantages for controlling the car.

Variable speed control is useful (low speeds in narrow areas and high speeds in wider areas). By the aid of the stop button, one can stop the car at any time. Variable speed steering is a little harder to control because reversing reaction is sometimes delayed. The stop button can again be useful here because it can be used at any time for a stop-reverse action. So the steering reacts faster but this type of control needs a little practice.

Two IR receivers are placed on the car. One is for movement and steering (the one near the battery box), the other is for the lights (the one behind the passenger seat).

4. Lights:

Double front headlights are used. Both pair can be controlled independently by the aid of the second channel of the remote control box.

5. Latest Modifications:

Instead of double headlights in front, one pair is transferred to the back of the car as taillights.

6. Videos:

A short video on the photo studio:

http://s282.photobucket.com/albums/kk255/k...lv&newest=1

A longer video on the floor (dim light):

http://s282.photobucket.com/albums/kk255/k...lv&newest=1

7. More pics:

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=424504

Kamil

Edited March 17, 2010 by Kamil

[DLuders]

Wow! Your fellow Turks are going to be envious when they see this car! Your work is a great example how the "Supercar II" (Super Street Sensation) set from 1999 can be modernized using Power Functions. If The Lego Group ever reissued Set 8448, or created a new "Supercar III", I'm sure they would have something like this in mind. My son and I are looking at our static 8448 model now, and we're both jealous. Great job!

[Darth Legolas]

You did a really nice job here! Now I want a Supercar! The electronics are all in the perfect spot.

You can change directions with the speed remote? I really wish I knew how it worked. It's pretty confusing to me. Teach me?

[Rufus]

I'm impressed you managed to squeeze all of that in without impairing the native functions.

I tried to motorise my 8448 a few years ago but found a single motor wasn't up to the job (this was the days before the newer power functions motors). Presumably yours drives ok; what range of speeds can it achieve? Do you still use the gearbox, and if so, which gear works best?

Love the lights!

Rufus

[DLuders]

You can change directions with the speed remote? I really wish I knew how it worked. It's pretty confusing to me. Teach me?

On both the #8885 "Power Functions IR Remote Control" and the #8879 "Power Functions IR Speed Remote Control" units, there are two black switches (on both sides of the orange slide-selector that chooses Channel 1, 2, 3, or 4). These black switches control the direction of the motor connected to that side of the PF Receiver (red toggle for the motor connected to the red plug on the receiver, and blue toggle for the blue plug on the receiver). By changing the direction of the black switches, you change the direction that the motor turns.

[Kamil]

You did a really nice job here! Now I want a Supercar! The electronics are all in the perfect spot.

You can change directions with the speed remote? I really wish I knew how it worked. It's pretty confusing to me. Teach me?

Thank you !

I hope the video below is helpful to understand how it works (sorry, night video, low light)

http://s282.photobucket.com/albums/kk255/k...8448remote3.flv

Kamil

I'm impressed you managed to squeeze all of that in without impairing the native functions.

I tried to motorise my 8448 a few years ago but found a single motor wasn't up to the job (this was the days before the newer power functions motors). Presumably yours drives ok; what range of speeds can it achieve? Do you still use the gearbox, and if so, which gear works best?

Love the lights!

Rufus

Thank you !

At first, I tried to use an M-motor to drive the rear wheels. It worked but the car could not reach high speeds. Then I switched to the XL-motor. It is so powerful that it provided a wide range of speeds. I can't tell you the exact measure of the maximum speed but I can say; when the car reaches maximum speed, it can not be controlled indoors unless you have a long straight track. I hope the video below helps to visualize the speed range.

I connected the power from the closest point to the rear wheels in order to reduce friction. So the gearbox and the engine are only a part of the show. The gearbox has no effect on the speed of the car. It only changes the speed of the V8 engine.

http://s282.photobucket.com/albums/kk255/k...8448remote4.flv

Kamil

On both the #8885 "Power Functions IR Remote Control" and the #8879 "Power Functions IR Speed Remote Control" units, there are two black switches (on both sides of the orange slide-selector that chooses Channel 1, 2, 3, or 4). These black switches control the direction of the motor connected to that side of the PF Receiver (red toggle for the motor connected to the red plug on the receiver, and blue toggle for the blue plug on the receiver). By changing the direction of the black switches, you change the direction that the motor turns.

The black switches are helpful for adjusting the initial setup of the car. For example, you turn the control wheel to the left, the car turns to the right, then changing the position of the black switch corrects the problem. I could not find further advantage of these switches for controlling the car. I preferred to use the control wheel instead.

Kamil

Edited March 17, 2010 by Kamil

[Milan]

Nice motorization.

New speed remote is great for driving, but as you said, steering is harder...regular controller is better for steering, at least at higher speeds.

[Kamil]

Nice motorization.

New speed remote is great for driving, but as you said, steering is harder...regular controller is better for steering, at least at higher speeds.

Thank you.

A combination of two controllers would be nice.

Edited March 17, 2010 by Kamil

[cagri]

We need to see this in meetings, please bring it with you next time Kamil Hocam :)

[Kamil]

We need to see this in meetings, please bring it with you next time Kamil Hocam :)

When? :)

Edited March 19, 2010 by Kamil

[cagri]

When? :)

I'm shipping out on 10th of april, will do my military tour. So I guess I won't have the chamce to attend a meeting before then. But I'm sure others will love to examine it :)

[voltio]

I'm greatly impressed; motorizing an 8448 has been a longtime dream of mine, but you've made it a reality! What amazes me most is how you preserved the "stock" styling of the 8448 while also adding all the Power Functions features; most of the motorized 8448 mods I've seen end up with giant RCX bricks or battery boxes protruding out of the rear hatch, or with the transmission removed entirely. What you did is...heavenly.

Now for a couple of questions. I already have the 8448, a small 9V battery box, and an 8287 Motor Box; I was hoping I could combine these (along with PF extension cables, an IR transmitter, PF lights, an M motor, etc) to make something similar to your model.

1. I noticed that the XL motor barely fit underneath the battery box. Would it be possible to fit the more powerful RC buggy motor (found in 8287) in the same location?

2. Would the model benefit from the added power of the RC buggy motor, or would this just make it more difficult to control?

Thanks!

[Kamil]

I'm greatly impressed; motorizing an 8448 has been a longtime dream of mine, but you've made it a reality! What amazes me most is how you preserved the "stock" styling of the 8448 while also adding all the Power Functions features; most of the motorized 8448 mods I've seen end up with giant RCX bricks or battery boxes protruding out of the rear hatch, or with the transmission removed entirely. What you did is...heavenly.

Now for a couple of questions. I already have the 8448, a small 9V battery box, and an 8287 Motor Box; I was hoping I could combine these (along with PF extension cables, an IR transmitter, PF lights, an M motor, etc) to make something similar to your model.

1. I noticed that the XL motor barely fit underneath the battery box. Would it be possible to fit the more powerful RC buggy motor (found in 8287) in the same location?

2. Would the model benefit from the added power of the RC buggy motor, or would this just make it more difficult to control?

Thanks!

OK, luckily I have an 8287 motor and technic-PF adapter cable:

My first opinion (as you already mentioned) is 8287 motor turns faster than the XL motor.

I will try to replace XL motor with 8287 for you but this may take few days because of time shortage. I'll try to finish the test as soon as possible.

Kamil

[Kamil]

I'm greatly impressed; motorizing an 8448 has been a longtime dream of mine, but you've made it a reality! What amazes me most is how you preserved the "stock" styling of the 8448 while also adding all the Power Functions features; most of the motorized 8448 mods I've seen end up with giant RCX bricks or battery boxes protruding out of the rear hatch, or with the transmission removed entirely. What you did is...heavenly.

Now for a couple of questions. I already have the 8448, a small 9V battery box, and an 8287 Motor Box; I was hoping I could combine these (along with PF extension cables, an IR transmitter, PF lights, an M motor, etc) to make something similar to your model.

1. I noticed that the XL motor barely fit underneath the battery box. Would it be possible to fit the more powerful RC buggy motor (found in 8287) in the same location?

2. Would the model benefit from the added power of the RC buggy motor, or would this just make it more difficult to control?

Thanks!

1. My answer to your first question is yes. Everything can again be compacted to fit the same compartment in a different combination:

2. My answer to your second question is no. With the 8287 motor, the car can not start moving even on a flat surface. In my opinion, this motor is faster than XL but has less torque. So my former gear ratio is not suitable for the 8287 motor. The gear ratio must be designed again to fit this motors specifications. The motor works only when the car is raised above the ground:

http://s282.photobucket.com/albums/kk255/k...rrent=8448q.flv

Kamil

[Kamil]

An extended remote controller was designed to overcome the shorcomings of the 8879 speed remote:

Additional pics:

1

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/technickamil/SSS/src3.jpg

2

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/technickamil/SSS/src4.jpg

3 Simple steering link:

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/technickamil/SSS/src4b.jpg

4

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/technickamil/SSS/src5.jpg

5

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/technickamil/SSS/src6.jpg

6 Slight modifications was made on the car. The gear ratio of the steering is adjusted for the new controller. The electric circuit is modified (front IR-receiver controls the steering and front lights and the rear IR-receiver controls the rear wheels and rear lights)

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/technickamil/SSS/src7.jpg

7

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/technickamil/SSS/src8.jpg

Kamil

[TechnicJuan]

Great Model.

I found this idea from another builder on brickshelf.

You should maybe try this as it will prevent any "Play" with the steering wheel on the remote. This is what I use for my remote models and it works great.

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=392586

[Kamil]

Great Model.

I found this idea from another builder on brickshelf.

You should maybe try this as it will prevent any "Play" with the steering wheel on the remote. This is what I use for my remote models and it works great.

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=392586

Thank you.

The solution in your message looks mechanically perfect, I will try that.

By the way, I found an alternative solution, maybe not as perfect as the one above, but it works. Thanks for the Lego crankshaft part, it fits into the gap and no play exists:

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/technickamil/SSS/srcb1.jpg

On the other hand, as the crank axle fits loosely into the remote control arm, it comes up after using a short period. This problem should be fixed, maybe by an additional upper lock:

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/technickamil/SSS/srcb2.jpg

Kamil

[Kamil]

An update to the topic: A video was uploaded to YouTube to demonstrate the capabilities of 8448 remote:

Kamil

[Jurss]

It took only 8 years :D

[Aventador2004]

Nice work for eight years!