Paul B Technic Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 Has anybody tried to add Power Functions drive / steering to set 8880? I am thinking of buying this and using the Power Functions off the Volvo loader to make it drive. Thoughts? Quote
Josephiah Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 (edited) Sounds interesting. I had never bothered trying to motorise back in the day as the motors didn't seem remotely powerful enough for the size of the model. Just got mine out again (this week in fact, after 15-odd years) and the steering and drivetrain are both quite heavy to move on the 8880, so I imagine that might be a tricky challenge even with the more powerful new motors. Interested to see how you get on though. Edited January 14, 2015 by Josephiah Quote
Balrog Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 I believe I read some long time ago about someone doing exactly this. But, if I remember correctly, it didn't work very well with the original gearing, because the gear reduction was completely wrong. Quote
Blakbird Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 Has anybody tried to add Power Functions drive / steering to set 8880? I am thinking of buying this and using the Power Functions off the Volvo loader to make it drive. Thoughts? Won't work. The gear system is all designed to drive the engine from the wheels, not the other way around (and there is a chain system in series with the drive). You would destroy everything trying to put a motor in place of the engine. The hubs are also very high friction. Now, if you were willing to throw out all the existing mechanicals then you could make it drive, but it would only look like an 8880. Quote
Paul B Technic Posted January 14, 2015 Author Posted January 14, 2015 Thanks for the replies, the 8880 I was looking to buy I won't be getting now so I won't be doing this :( Quote
Saberwing40k Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 It's technically possible, but it would be a bit difficult, as the drivetrain incorporates a number of thin 14z bevel gears, which are notorious for breaking. Also, the gearbox is not designed with motorization in mind, so you'd have to redesign that as well. In theory it can be done, but in order to do so you'd probably have to do a wholesale redesign of the drivetrain. Quote
Chilly Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 I tried, and as others said above, failed. This was before "power functions" but same applies to older motors. Quote
allanp Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 The motors have always been powerful enough to move it. But even if you get the gearing right and properly braces the UJs will be at pretty much maximum stress. Quote
grum64 Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 Hi Paul Hope a all well with you. Having just bought an 8369 Dirt Crusher RC I thought I'd read a few reviews and whist doing so came across this on Brickset. I can't find the name of the reviewer so I can't credit him. I'm not sure how helpful it'll be but, if you've not seen this or considered using the Dirt Crusher this way before, it could be 'food for thought' ...The most impressive part of the set was the motor and gearbox. After about a week i decided to experiment with it. I cracked open the drivetrain cover and revoved the motors, servos and other electronics and combined them with the 8880 super car. This is still a work in progress but so far everything works and i highly recomened anyone who has a 8880 super car and the dirt crusher, and any technical know-how to try this... Quote
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