Electric, Light and Sound system

[Section8]

First, my question. Are there any comprehensive resources on the ELS system, such as lifetime of elements, number of lights allowable per battery box, etc? I know I can search Peeron for which sets had which, but a general internet and site-specific search turned up nothing.

And since a search of this site turned up no specific topic on ELS, I thought I'd start one. If this is in the wrong spot or has been repeated, please delete it. Otherwise, I'll start it off:

Lego's Electric Light and Sound system took the motion, light, and sound concept from Technic and introduced them to System lines, specifically Town and Space. It also coincided with the greater shift from 4.5v to 9v. The ELS system came about in the mid 1980s, with a light and sound police truck (6450) and firetruck (6480) in 1985. The late 80s saw a large increase in the number of sets that used the system, with a Helicopter (6482) and Construction Crew (6481) added to the town line, and many space sets getting the ELS treatment. It also saw the first motor introduced in the line, which was in the 6990 Monorail Transport System.

During the 90s, TLC added a few town sets with ELS, most notably the 6399 Airport Shuttle, while it sporadically added sets to the Space line, including 6988 Alpha Centauri Outpost (1991) and Lego's third and final monorail, the 6991 Monorail Transport Base (1994). 1994 also saw the introduction of the Micromotor to the line, and now sets could have motion that weren't monorails. The 6483 Coastal Patrol (1994) and 6484 F-1 Hauler (1995) included such motors and were also the last town sets with ELS. Space continued to receive ELS sets until 1998.

There were also a few non-System sets and accessory packs with ELS, such as the Basic set 735 and for those who already had a battery box, the 846 Lighting Bricks. Replacement parts were available for the line directly from Lego, but now that the line has died out, replacement parts command a higher price on the secondary market.

The last sets with the 9v ELS that we knew were a few god-awful Znap sets in 1998, which I will not speak of again.

On a whole, I liked the line. While never into space when I was younger, the sets that had ELS are some of my favorites now. I really wish TLC would release 6988 as a Legend. The town sets, however, are hit or miss. Traditionally large vehicles, like the Coastal Patrol and Jetport Fire Squad held and hid the battery box well, but some sets, like 6430 Night Patroller didn't. But lego had to make police and fire vehicles with the system, as those are the only town vehicles to have lights and sirens. The 6399 Airport Shuttle is one of the best lego sets of all time, if not the best, and has been at the top of my want list for 15 years.

I personally have 6440, 6484, and 6482. The Fire Truck is a very good design, and for being about the size of the new one, TLC put in a battery box, lights, and a siren. The Rescue Helicopter would have been a good design without it, so having ELS is a bonus. The 6484 is my least favorite of all System ELS sets, because the addition of ELS made the truck gargantuan. I scrapped the set for the lights (to replace 6440 half-burned out brick) and the motor (very expensive on the secondary market). I think a construction crane of some kind would have been better than an oversized tow-truck. I just bought 846 and it will reach me in a few weeks.

Comments, complaints, concerns?

[snefroe]

ah! finally we have some one who's interested in these gadgets on older sets that used to inspire an entire generation! *sweet*

i started the light and sound series in the space corner with the review of the Solar transmitter and have another on the way

i think this subject deserves some serious digging into!

[highlandcattle]

I have the old firetruck from 1985. Used it to drive everybody nuts in the house, especially my mother :'-)

Those where the days. But then I got 12v trains and the fire truck never saw another battery again.

[Jipay]

Only the sound disappread, you can still find the lights into the train sets. Which makes them expensive ! A while back, I started a stargate project, and the stargate was illuminating like the real things. I think this the magic of the ELS line : it's only a light, but it instantaneously gives this little something special to your MOC.

I regret the lack of ELS pack like in the old days : when we had those flyers with some service packs on them. Those were the days !

[Section8]

Only the sound disappread, you can still find the lights into the train sets. Which makes them expensive !

There were three lights, 1x4 brick with 2 lights, 1x2 brick with light on top, and 1 x 2 brick with light on side. The first two have seemingly gone the way of the dodo, which is very bad since almost every ELS set had the 1x4 light brick (hence why I got 6484, for a replacement). The 1x2 with light on the side is still in trains and also some Lego Education sets. They still sell both those lights AND a sound element as parts packs for their Educational line.

I regret the lack of ELS pack like in the old days : when we had those flyers with some service packs on them.

Indeed. I stumbled upon 846 while researching my post. $44 poorer, I have one :-) I can't wait to make some illuminated signs and/or use the light bar to make engines for a spacecraft.

[alex54]

I've got the fire truck, my only ELS lego, (maybe the 9V train is one too, because it use electric track, it has light and make some noise when it runs :-D !) and I know that I play a lot with the system. It is a very good atractive thing like you said Jipay. Now iwth the reduction of the electronic system, a new ELS system with the same soundbrick and lightbrick but a smaller battery box would be so great!...

dreams, dreams...

[Hobbes]

I have 6440, 6483, plus an extra battery box, a few conductor plates, and an extra siren somewhere. Both cool sets, but they can drive your cat or dog crazy after some time ;-)