I'd like to add some basic remote control functions to my models. I currently have the 8052 Container Truck and 8070 Supercar, so two battery boxes and two M-motors.

I just want to add basic drive and steering functionality for now.

I'm looking at the 8884 IR Receiver and 8885 IR Remote Control but getting a bit confused between channels and IR outputs. How many controllers and receivers do I need?

Also any additional advice? I remember reading somewhere that the 8879 Speed Remote Control was difficult to control so intend to stick with the basic 8885. Would it be worth picking up an XL-Motor also? Is there a set would make collecting the parts better value than buying individually (8043 being beyond my budget for now ) ?

Thanks!

A lot of your questions can be answered in the "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) portion of the Lego Power Functions website http://powerfunctions.lego.com .

You will need one 8885 IR Remote Control unit to transmit your signal to one 8884 IR Receiver. Your Remote Control Unit will be set on one of four available channels, and the IR Receiver will be set to that same channel. If some friends come over to drive their Lego Technic Power Functions creations with you, there can be four vehicles driving around at the same time (each on their own channel). The range of the Lego PF IR controller is about 30 feet.

I would like to know the same thing. After reading the FAQ I assume one 8884 IR-RX and one 8885 IR-TX is enough to provide two functionalities, for example steering and moving forward/backwards?

I'd like to add some basic remote control functions to my models. I currently have the 8052 Container Truck and 8070 Supercar, so two battery boxes and two M-motors.

I just want to add basic drive and steering functionality for now.

I'm looking at the 8884 IR Receiver and 8885 IR Remote Control but getting a bit confused between channels and IR outputs. How many controllers and receivers do I need?

Also any additional advice? I remember reading somewhere that the 8879 Speed Remote Control was difficult to control so intend to stick with the basic 8885. Would it be worth picking up an XL-Motor also? Is there a set would make collecting the parts better value than buying individually (8043 being beyond my budget for now ) ?

Thanks!

I think you would be better with just a small moter for steering and an xl moter for drive,also you will need a receiver and a battery box.

I dont have any of the models you want to motorize my self so i cant tell you how easy or hard it will be,i would say though that you will need a clutch gear for the steering and you will probably need to gear down the moter to the drive.

I would like to know the same thing. After reading the FAQ I assume one 8884 IR-RX and one 8885 IR-TX is enough to provide two functionalities, for example steering and moving forward/backwards?

2 Functions per a channel. (blue up/down and red up/down)

You have 4 differant channels per a controller which means you have 8 functions all together.

Hope this helps both of you.

Edited May 3, 201113 yr by Alasdair Ryan

As Jovel pointed out in a recent post, Mahjqa posted Building Instructions for a "Basic Technic Power Functions Chassis" here. You can see how everything works together. He even made a

to show it in action.

Mahjqa thought that his Intermediate Power Functions Chassis was better. See the second picture below.

You can apply the concepts to your own creations.

As Jovel pointed out in a recent post, Mahjqa posted Building Instructions for a "Basic Technic Power Functions Chassis" here. You can see how everything works together. He even made a

to show it in action.

Thanks. Final 10 seconds of the video shows one transmitter controlling the chassis. That was what I was looking for. With one transmitter and one model, running on a single channel, I can control two functions with a single transmitter and single receiver.

Sorted.

Thanks for the info DLuders.