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Posted

Hello everyone,

I don't know if this topic has already been discussed and if the train forum is the right place, :sceptic: but I wanted to know if anyone knows if SBrick will still be produced or if the project has been abandoned.

Visiting the site, since July the SBrick has been out of stock and it seems strange to me that from then until today it has not been produced again.

The next question is: are there similar alternatives to drive PF motors via bluetooth?

Thanks in advance for anyone who wants to answer. :classic:

Posted
  On 2/2/2025 at 7:28 AM, LEGO Train 12 Volts said:

Hello everyone,

I don't know if this topic has already been discussed and if the train forum is the right place, :sceptic: but I wanted to know if anyone knows if SBrick will still be produced or if the project has been abandoned.

Visiting the site, since July the SBrick has been out of stock and it seems strange to me that from then until today it has not been produced again.

The next question is: are there similar alternatives to drive PF motors via bluetooth?

Thanks in advance for anyone who wants to answer. :classic:

Expand  

I don’t personally use SBrick, but in my train club (LUKR) a fair few people do use them, and from what I’ve heard this is what’s happened:

As a small company, SBrick runs its manufacturing out of a larger factory or factories, sourcing parts externally, and the apparent “shut down” stems from part of the manufacturing process closing down, and consequently halting SBrick’s production.  

SBrick as a business I believe is very much still around and alive, but are currently in the process of finding a new manufacturer, which they are well on the way to doing.  

To my knowledge, SBrick has not been abandoned, but has run into some serious manufacturing issues outside their control, which they are striving to fix now before returning to business.

As @XG BC says, BuWizz and Fx Bricks’  PFx Brick are alternatives, though I’ve heard the PFx Brick software is rather out of date since FxBricks turned its attention to their tracks.  BuWizz I have no knowledge of, except that it’s expensive but gets positive reviews.

 

I’ve myself gone to full radio control, which has a huge range (~90 metres) and has no problems of interruptions from phone signals and other bluetooth devices at shows with 1000s of people (I’ve got a show in a couple of weeks expecting several thousand people on both days).  However, this does require soldering and an expensive “initial investment”, so I can see it’s not for everyone.

Posted (edited)
  On 2/2/2025 at 6:35 PM, XG BC said:

buwizz if you want a battery/receiver combo thing. or the pfx brick of course.

Expand  

I didn't know PFX BRICK, I find it very close to SBRICK ... thanks for the suggestions @XG BC

  On 2/2/2025 at 10:06 PM, Vilhelm22 said:

To my knowledge, SBrick has not been abandoned, but has run into some serious manufacturing issues outside their control, which they are striving to fix now before returning to business.

Expand  

Thanks for the precise news @Vilhelm22 ... and now it is clear to me why the site is still alive

  On 2/3/2025 at 12:03 AM, dr_spock said:

I drive my PF train motor with the PU hub using a PF to PU adapter cable.  It works the PU remote and PU app.

Expand  

Wow ... @dr_spock do you have a link that shows how to do it?

  On 2/3/2025 at 1:57 PM, JopieK said:

you are/were involved with SBrick if I remember correctly?

Expand  

Thanks for the help you're giving me @JopieK

Edited by LEGO Train 12 Volts
Posted
  On 2/4/2025 at 8:58 PM, LEGO Train 12 Volts said:

I didn't know PFX BRICK, I find it very close to SBRICK ... thanks for the suggestions @XG BC

Expand  

Even better, the PFX Brick can also speak IR, also has an optional extension cable so you can bury the brick inside your model and only have a little LED-like IR receiver bulb poking out.

Posted
  On 2/4/2025 at 8:58 PM, LEGO Train 12 Volts said:

Wow ... @dr_spock do you have a link that shows how to do it?

 

Expand  

To make the adapter I had to 3D print my own connectors a while back ago.  Now those connectors can be found on aliexpress.com.  Search for wedo cable and for technical power function connector.  

To ID as a PU train motor to the PU hub, connect pin 3 to pin 6 and pin 4 to pin 5 on the PU connector. Connect pins 1 and 2 to the C1 and C2 pins on the PF connectors to power the PF motor. 

pu2pf.jpg

 

Posted

Just wanted to share in interesting „how-to“ video published by BatteryPoweredBricks on youtube, in which he shows his way of making a PU to PF adapter cable:  

 

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