Hi,

I am interested in obtaining a used Technic Control Center. There seems to be two different versions, the part number 2840c (Bricklink part number) corresponding to the Control Center I and 2840b corresponding to to Control Center II. The 2840b came with the Dacta Set 9752 and the Technic Set 8485 while the 2840c came with the Dacta Set 9753 and the Technic Set 8094.

It seems that the colour of the buttons are of different colours between the versions. Is it correct that the Control Center II has a power port that an AC adapter (from the Train speed regulator) can be plugged into to supply power to the Control Center and the attached devices rather than from C batteries? Is there any other differences between the two versions?

How does the programming work? Are the keystrokes as well as the time between keystrokes recorded in memory? How many keystrokes and/or time limit can each of the two memories record? (I could only view the instructions for set 9753 from Peeron as the instructions from set 9752 are not available on that website)

Is the Control Center fully compatible with the power function motors if the power function extension cable is used to connect the Control Center to the power function motors?

According to Bricklink, the 9753 Technic Control Center I set came with the 2840c unit, and the 9752 Technic Control Center II came with the 2840b unit (which seems backwards, but is true).

[blakbird's Technicopedia has excellent articles on both the 8094 Control Center I and the 8485 Control Center II (pictured in order below). Since Blakbird has every Lego Technic set in existence , he probably could best answer your questions.

Edited December 17, 201014 yr by DLuders

The 8485 Control Center II instructions are available in PDF form from Worldbricks (140 pages, 14.6 MB).

Edited December 17, 201014 yr by DLuders

In order to run Power Functions motors from either Control Center, you will need to get a 60656 "Electric, Power Functions Extension Wire with one Light Bluish Gray End (length 20cm)." The Light Bluish Gray end goes on the Control Unit, and the Dark Bluish Gray end goes on the Power Functions motor.

The only real difference i'm aware of (besides the colour of the buttons) is that the cc2 had a jack for an ac adaptor whereas the cc1 did not. Both of them can run from 6 C batteries. The program records the duration of how long you hold down a button however, if memory serves me correctly, it does NOT record the duration of the gaps between pressing buttons, commands happen immediately after each other with no gaps. I would advise that someone please clarify that tho. My control centres are somewhat inaccessable at the moment You can store up to two programs, I think the total of both programs is 100 commands or something like that (128 would probably make more sence) but again i'm not sure about that.

Edited December 17, 201014 yr by allanp

The second generation control center is a lot more useful. The AC input lets you avoid a lot of hassle with batteries and get a consistent 9V output at all times, and it also has higher current limits. It works fine on all the PF models I've tried, although I don't know exactly how much current it can output.

The first gen one has very strict current limits and can only run the two old types of 9V motors reliably, often cutting out on PF motors without any load. (although you can hook up a wall adapter to the battery contacts on it with some DIY work)

There is a limit of 51 commands on the second gen one, with 41 in any single program. The first gen one is probably similar. They don't normally record the time between keystrokes, but you can do that using the pause button. They aren't actually that useful for programming compared to say, an NXT, but work well as manual control hubs, especially if powered off a wall outlet.

[blakbird's Technicopedia has excellent articles on both the 8094 Control Center I and the 8485 Control Center II (pictured in order below). Since Blakbird has every Lego Technic set in existence , he probably could best answer your questions.

It seems most of the questions have been answered by now. The units are physically identical except for the AC port and the color. Either of them would work with PF with the proper adapter cable (and I have used each for that). Read the two links above for more details. I discuss the fact that pauses are not recorded. The most useful kinds of programs for this kind of unit are repetitive motions were timing does not matter, like robotic arms. For example, this animation was made by programming the motions. It can be run indefinately. Since these are not servos though, there is no position feedback. Therefore the program will gradually get the arm off center and won't work any more unless you re-center the arm manually and restart.

I am a proud owner of Control Center I with Box :)

I actually got this as a present for my 13th birthday, and left it at the attic at the age of 15 :)

And recovered it after 17 years ... if you can do the math :D

Anyway, what I am most pissed about is that I left the batteries inside :( so you and understand the mess, but beside that it is in good shape...

So if you have any specific questions for it let me know.

Thanks,

Noam

Thanks to all those who replied to my message. I found the photos of the control centers especially useful as other photos I have seen did not show clearly the top of the units with the studs to connect to the cables and the location of the power port.

I just wanted to add that the Control Center may seem simplistic to adults but this is not the case with a 10 year old. I want to introduce some simple examples of programming to my nephew as motivation for the greater capabilities of Mindstorm Nxt.

Edited December 18, 201014 yr by dougdee

The program records the duration of how long you hold down a button however, if memory serves me correctly, it does NOT record the duration of the gaps between pressing buttons, commands happen immediately after each other with no gaps. I would advise that someone please clarify that tho.

Clarified. I remember going into the shop with all my birthday money ready to buy an awesome Lego set. I sure wasn't disappointed when I saw Control Centre 1. That set provided hours of amusement and some awesome MOCs when I was a kid.

Clarified. I remember going into the shop with all my birthday money ready to buy an awesome Lego set. I sure wasn't disappointed when I saw Control Centre 1. That set provided hours of amusement and some awesome MOCs when I was a kid.

Thanks!

It is a good set, maybe better than the control centre 2 set. I know it had an extra motor and the flex system and the t-rex was cool, but the mechanisms in the control centre 1 just seem more interesting to me.

Hi,

I am interested in obtaining a used Technic Control Center. There seems to be two different versions, the part number 2840c (Bricklink part number) corresponding to the Control Center I and 2840b corresponding to to Control Center II. The 2840b came with the Dacta Set 9752 and the Technic Set 8485 while the 2840c came with the Dacta Set 9753 and the Technic Set 8094.

It seems that the colour of the buttons are of different colours between the versions. Is it correct that the Control Center II has a power port that an AC adapter (from the Train speed regulator) can be plugged into to supply power to the Control Center and the attached devices rather than from C batteries? Is there any other differences between the two versions?

How does the programming work? Are the keystrokes as well as the time between keystrokes recorded in memory? How many keystrokes and/or time limit can each of the two memories record? (I could only view the instructions for set 9753 from Peeron as the instructions from set 9752 are not available on that website)

Is the Control Center fully compatible with the power function motors if the power function extension cable is used to connect the Control Center to the power function motors?

Has anyone tried to use the power adapter 8887 with the Control Center II? From the photo of the power adapter for the train speed regulator, it looks like the socket is too large to fit the 8887. Also, the amperage for the 8887 is 700 mA.

Has anyone tried to use the power adapter 8887 with the Control Center II? From the photo of the power adapter for the train speed regulator, it looks like the socket is too large to fit the 8887. Also, the amperage for the 8887 is 700 mA.

8887's output is 10 V, and the adapter on my 8485 is 10 V / 7 VA, which corresponds to an amperage of 700 mA. So if the plug fits into the control center's socket, it should work.

However, I can't put this to the test, since I don't have 8887.

Make sure the polarity is correct before experimenting with other adapters...

Edit: No harm in having more amps in the adapter either but voltage and polarity must be the same.

Edited January 5, 201114 yr by Tobbe Arnesson

Has anyone tried to use the power adapter 8887 with the Control Center II? From the photo of the power adapter for the train speed regulator, it looks like the socket is too large to fit the 8887. Also, the amperage for the 8887 is 700 mA.

I use a 12V transformer with my Control Center. Get the highest current you can find. I prefer to use 1.5A (1500 mA). You can get loose transformers for very cheap at second hand stores like Goodwill in the USA. I only paid $1 for each.

8887's output is 10 V, and the adapter on my 8485 is 10 V / 7 VA, which corresponds to an amperage of 700 mA.

The adapter TLG used to include in the 9V sets was a 12V 700mA unit (included in both my 8485 and speed regulator). The control center's port says "9-12V" so it can presumably take anything in that range. You should be able to use any cheap 12V transformer with it though.

It is a good set, maybe better than the control centre 2 set. I know it had an extra motor and the flex system and the t-rex was cool, but the mechanisms in the control centre 1 just seem more interesting to me.

I like the first set better too. Three of the four models are very unique, both the concepts and the mechanisms they use. The dinosaur in 8485 is fantastic, but the other two are not as impressive.

(I hope replying to a 6-y.o. thread isn't a breach of etiquette, but this is the most relevant thread on the Control Centers I found (-: )

I may have an opportunity to get an 8094 Control Center I for fairly cheap.

It's claimed to be in good condition, but I would have to buy it sight unseen .

A few questions:

1) Is it possible to use NiMH rechargeable batteries in the control center (this is obviously the version without a socket for a power adapter)?

2) Even better, is it likely that AA-to-C size adapters like

http://www.amazon.co...r/dp/B009631ULK

would work (both size wise, and in providing enough current -- assume I use Eneloop-type slow-discharge AAs with 2500mAh each)?

Needing to buy C-size rechargeables and a charger just for this would be a bit of a pain...

3) I assume the Technic pen will be long dried out. Is it possible to refill it? If so, with what/how?

Is the pen standard sized, so most standard felt-tipped pens would work as well?

4) On the plotter model, is the paper used standard-sized A4 / US Letter ?

Thanks for any info (-: (returned to Lego this year after my long Dark Age...)

1. Possible but you will get 7.2 volts instead of 9.

2. can't see why not.

Alternative option for questions 1 and 2, buy a control center 2 from bricklink, not too exspensive.

http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?colorID=11&itemID=3595

3. Last time I checked (about a year ago) my original pen that came with it still works!!!!

4. Yes.

1) Is it possible to use NiMH rechargeable batteries in the control center (this is obviously the version without a socket for a power adapter)?

Yes, they work fine. The motors will just run a little slower.

2) Even better, is it likely that AA-to-C size adapters like

http://www.amazon.co...r/dp/B009631ULK

would work (both size wise, and in providing enough current -- assume I use Eneloop-type slow-discharge AAs with 2500mAh each)?

The current requirements are not high. They should work fine.

3) I assume the Technic pen will be long dried out. Is it possible to refill it? If so, with what/how?

Yes, it is refillable. The cap just screws off.

4) On the plotter model, is the paper used standard-sized A4 / US Letter ?

It is much smaller than that, but you can just fold paper to fit.

From memory the pen is a fiber tip type. This is to help it move over the paper well, so if yours ends up missing or broken you can just pick one up from any good stationer

Thanks for all the replies !

Turned out the person was selling just the control unit (the earlier one of the 8094 set, without power adapter port(*)), so it wasn't a good deal at all.

Will keep looking around for this set occasionally.

(*) For some reason, Bricklink refers to both as 2840cXX, unlike the posts in the beginning of the thread.

I used a Mk 1 control centre to operate my TC8 Tower Crane entry.

Only problem I had is you need to ensure is that the end of memory sequence returns back at the same position as the starting point.

Otherwise next time sequence is run its out of step especially the hoist and luffing rope drums which ended up in a tangle