Power Functions IR Speed Remote Control

[MightySlickPancake]

Hi all

I noticed that the pf speed remote was on shop at home again and i wondered if it has been fixed(as it had a over heating problem) i am asking as i need to buy some parts for my contest entry for cat 1 or 2 and i don't want to order i and then yet again it over heats. so if you know any more than me it would be greatly appreciated.

cb

Edited August 12, 2009 by crabboy329

[aawsum]

Well

No guarantees, but I read some documentation in the Netherlands that stated that the problem was fixed and therefore the remote is back for sale again.

Lego ahs very strong regulations for safety, so if it is not safe, the will not bring it into the market again.

I would say, go ahead and buy one.

[Holodoc]

After 4 months waiting, getting weird emails and even more weird bills, I recieved my own new remote control .

It´s fun and I haven´t noticed anything strange so far.

The only thing is: Without any further stuff to be operated by the control it´s kind off lame at the moment.

The one wheel controls speed, the other wheel the light. It would be great if additional things (signals, sound, level crossings ) could be controlled with it, too.

And there is no clear "0" point for the speed regulator due to the red knob underneath. One could say "It´s not a bug, it´s a feature", though.

[SavaTheAggie]

The only thing is: Without any further stuff to be operated by the control it´s kind off lame at the moment.

The one wheel controls speed, the other wheel the light. It would be great if additional things (signals, sound, level crossings ) could be controlled with it, too.

That's what's so great about LEGO. You can build your own stuff, and with the modularity of the Power Functions system, you can build all of those things.

And there is no clear "0" point for the speed regulator due to the red knob underneath. One could say "It´s not a bug, it´s a feature", though.

It makes sense, though, if you really stop and think about it. Since it is line of sight, there could easily be a situation where, if it did have set number values, while you were cranking up the speed on your train the signal was lost for whatever reason - too far away, a building got in the way, your hand dipped accidentally and the beam couldn't make it to the receiver, etc. Then when you went to crank it up/down to the next level, your train would either drastically increase speed (step 3 to 5) or wouldn't do anything (step 4 to 3 with the train set to 3).

Imagine if you had a stopped train, and while not pointing at the train you set the dial to one step below maximum. Then when you go to start your train up, you fire it up to full speed, potentially derailing the train, and certainly not creating the look and feel you want.

At least with unmarked speed steps, no matter what happens, one "click" of the wheel = one increase/decrease in speed no matter what.

--Tony

[TaltosVT]

It would be great if additional things (signals, sound, level crossings ) could be controlled with it, too.

I've actually considered trying to use it to control switch points on a layout. The way the channels are set up, you can run up to 8 devices at the same time. If one of those is the train, the other 7 could be motors connected to the switches. Granted it would require the purchase of 7 more IR receivers, but I do think it'd be neat to walk around a layout and flip switches as the train gets to them. The most difficult part would be keeping track of which switch is on which channel.

Another idea that I've been toying with is to build a work train that includes a crane or a wrecker. One channel would control the locomotive, another three would be used on the crane. One for rotation, one for raising/lowering the boom, and the third for raising/lowering the hook.

-Elroy

[WesternOutlaw]

I picked up the remote when originally available, but have not had any problems with it. I kept it, but am wondering if I should ask Lego to replace it.

What do you guys think?

[JopieK]

I picked up the remote when originally available, but have not had any problems with it. I kept it, but am wondering if I should ask Lego to replace it.

What do you guys think?

Probably it will work without any problems, there is always a chance, but when it overheats you can still replace it. I haven't had the controller yet, hope LEGO ships it soon to me.

I've actually considered trying to use it to control switch points on a layout. The way the channels are set up, you can run up to 8 devices at the same time. If one of those is the train, the other 7 could be motors connected to the switches. Granted it would require the purchase of 7 more IR receivers, but I do think it'd be neat to walk around a layout and flip switches as the train gets to them. The most difficult part would be keeping track of which switch is on which channel.

Another idea that I've been toying with is to build a work train that includes a crane or a wrecker. One channel would control the locomotive, another three would be used on the crane. One for rotation, one for raising/lowering the boom, and the third for raising/lowering the hook.

-Elroy

It seems to be quite easy to do it yourself, I'm working on that, but probably wont finish before the end of september.

[aawsum]

It seems to be quite easy to do it yourself, I'm working on that, but probably wont finish before the end of september.

Well, I have to say I can't wait to see something like this working. Good luck, and we will wait for your result

[no_skill]

I picked up the remote when originally available, but have not had any problems with it. I kept it, but am wondering if I should ask Lego to replace it.

What do you guys think?

I am in the same situation as you are. Until someone comes up with a strong reason to replace mine (such as the new ones are better in some functional way), I plan on keeping it.