Speed IR controller

[Matt The Tuba Guy]

I am going to get the motorised excavator, and the big red truck in the next couple of days from shop@home, and I am also buying some power functions stuff (ir reciever and XL motor) and I am wondering if anyone else has used this controller, and how good it is.

My idea is that I could put 2 XL motors in the base of the excavator, and use variable speed for the tracks, then use the two controllers for the other 4 functions.

I am actually trying to get all of the 2010 sets, plus the truck. I have 3 so far, the motorbike, the mini forklift, and the mini excavator.

[JopieK]

I am going to get the motorised excavator, and the big red truck in the next couple of days from shop@home, and I am also buying some power functions stuff (ir reciever and XL motor) and I am wondering if anyone else has used this controller, and how good it is.

My idea is that I could put 2 XL motors in the base of the excavator, and use variable speed for the tracks, then use the two controllers for the other 4 functions.

I am actually trying to get all of the 2010 sets, plus the truck. I have 3 so far, the motorbike, the mini forklift, and the mini excavator.

Well, good to know, but what purpose is there for us, do you have any questions, suggestions or something like that other than the 'wondering'?

Most train fans have experience with the IR recEIver and the XL motor (it is used in the Emerald Express train). It works quite well. I'm not sure what you mean by controller. Normally we would refer to the remote control as 'the controller' I guess.

[DLuders]

If you get a 8879/ 64227 "Power Functions IR Speed Remote Control" to SMOOTHLY run the Technic Treads, you should consider adding some gears to it to make it easier to use. Here's a nice design by Sariel; there are many others on the web too. The variable speed control allows the vehicle to realistically start up and stop in a controlled manner, and not suddenly jerk around.

Two regular 8885 / 58122c01 "Power Functions IR Remote Control" units (shown in the third picture below) will be fine for operating the other functions.

[MarcoB]

That speed control has problems when trying to use it with something else than trains, hard to explain, but I tried it on sariel's page, who (more or less) agreed that also. It's not exact/fast enough to react on changes.

Here's part of my post there:

But bigger problem is the controllers unlimited dial steps. At least with a remote design like yours, combined speed dial controls.

For example if you push throttle (to full speed) two steps too far, say +9, stopping is now on +2, not zero. Next time you overstep, say +11, stopping is now +4 and so on. Very soon the “back wall” blocks and prevents getting full speed. And that step jumping did made this even more annoying :/

[yoraish]

Hey, I bought this speed controller 2 weeks ago in order to control my trial truck, I was disappointed. It takes lots of time to get to max spees, especially when the signal is not the best-outside. But I guess it will work better indoors and for smaller models.

[fmmjqtft]

The speed controller is absolutely useless. Its worst fault is that it has no way of 'queuing' the signals, meaning that if you turn the dial too quickly, the controller will only send the first bits of each signal. The speed you have to turn the dial to see this effect is actually pretty slow.

[vmln8r]

What everyone else said - it might be more useful for static or slow models where precise control is wanted, but for remote-control vehicles, stick with the normal remote.

[Matt The Tuba Guy]

OK, thanks for your replies.

I was mainly wanting to know how well it works with technic sets, which is what I will be using it for.

it is only $23, so I might get it anyway and try it. when I get it I will post here as to how it goes.

I might get another ordinary controller as well, so that with the speed controller, I can have control over the maximum 8 functions. (plus the power functions set and an extra M or XL motor)

sorry my replies are rather hurried, I haven't had time to write a proper reply.

[Milan]

I must say the opposite.

My experience with the Speed Remote is fabulous...

I used it in my medium excavator just for driving, and I think it works phenomenal. It takes some time to get used to it, but when you learn to gradually accelerate and decelerate the machine, you will forget the old remote.

But, as said before, speed remote works good mainly for slow machines, and as you want to build excavator, I can tell you - go for it, I had great time using it!

[DLuders]

[bUMP]

On this TechnicBRICKS (TBs) interview with Gauta Munch (GM, the Product Manager of LEGO Power Functions (LPF)), there was discussion about the 8879 Power Functions IR Speed Remote Control unit. Note the final sentence by Gaute Munch concerning the "open source" code:

"TBs: The proportional control allowed by the LPF RC protocol is an addition of great value! However the relative and low precise control delivered with the 8879 Power Functions IR Speed Remote Control dials, doesn't ease to take advantage from a full play experience, rather than absolute control dials or sticks would do.

Did you realize or gathered similar feedback on your tests? Was it on purpose or which are the advantages of using this solution? Why did you have not taken the absolute control way?"

"GM: A lot of generic control has been build into the LPF Remote Control protocol. When we make a specific LPF Remote Control handset we must make a lot of choices directed by the purpose of this handset. The main purpose of the LPF Speed Remote Control is to enable kids down to the age of 6 to control trains. At the same time of course it is a general purpose power level Remote Control in the LPF platform. Using absolute power control with a speed dial works very well when you have a hardwired solution like the 9V train. In a Remote Control system with multiple channels it becomes inconsistent:

I have a train on channel 1, I turn the speed dial to +5. I change to another train on channel 2. The speed dial says +5, but the train is not moving!? Well, I just want the train to back up slowly. I turn the speed dial back…to +4 – now the train runs fast forward! I turn back to channel 1. This train is still running at +5 but the dial says +4.

By using Increment/Decrement and forced STOP the train itself will always be the reference and that works very well for the younger kids controlling trains. In the future we might launch other types of controls. As you know, the LPF Remote Control protocol is open source, so you always have the option of making your own AFOL community super controller."