9v motors (should lego make them again?)

[bonox]

the control centre is the controller - you don't control them. A train doesn't control the regulator.

Presumably the request is a heavy fixed version (like the old CC) of the 7 step IR remote.

bit pointless though - you can use the old controller to voltage control (rather than PWM) the motors, which really isn't that much of a deal, and the advantage of being able to use wall power would be diminished by hoping for an IR version (because that already exists).

That's where the third party stuff like SBrick is going.

Edited April 2, 2015 by bonox

[DrJB]

It seems there is a bit of confusion here between the old Control Centers and the Train's Variable Speed Controller. The latter is just a variable speed regulator, whereas the fancier old controllers have more programming functionality. Yes, wall power to energize the PF elements would be nice, but I doubt we'll ever see that. The train controller (below left) was introduced because train motors were energized through metallic rails. Now that TLG moved away from that, there is no reason/need for such element anymore. In fact, the new train remote (below right) does exactly the same thing as the old train controller.

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However, the old control modules, as pictured below, were essentially predecessors to the MindStorms brick. These were introduced at a time where mobile computing was unheard of. Nowadays, with the plethora of control devices out there, it makes no sense (in my opinion) to go back to such antiquated technology. If you want smart control and to build some 'intelligent' contraptions, all you need is an iPad/iPhone/Android and the EV3 brick.

Do not get me wrong, I have and love both units below, but ... it seems their time has come and gone.

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Edited April 2, 2015 by DrJB

[andythenorth]

I was referring to the Technic Control Center (the one with the compass D-pad). I've got one sat in my loft, my kids want to get it working. Needs a lot of D cells or such.

I can't see how I'd control it with PF though...

Edited April 2, 2015 by andythenorth