Using new Power Functions motors with older Technic Train speed contro

[RCcrawlerguy]

First off, Im a new guy here.. I was browsing around the brickshelf galleries at some of the Lego crane builds. Some of the builders used the older Technic 9V Controller (like this one) http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?P=2868b .. does this involve some modification? The conectors on the PF motors are different than the older stuff, correct? Any help would be appreciated.

[DLuders]

I just went to my basement and connected a Lego Technic Power Functions (PF) setup to the #2868b 9V Train Speed Regulator unit you referenced in your original post. There is no modification necessary, but you will need an "Electric, Power Functions Extension Wire with one Light Bluish Gray End" Part #60656 ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=60656 ) to connect between the 9V Train Speed Regulator unit and the PF receiver. There is a transformer that plugs into a wall socket to step down the voltage from 120V to 12V (in the USA), and the transformer plugs into the 9V Train Speed Regulator unit. The Light Bluish Gray end of the PF Extension Wire plugs onto the yellow, 2x2 electric plate at the top-center of the photo you referenced ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?P=2868b ), and the Dark Bluish Gray end of the wire plugs onto the PF receiver. The yellow knob on the 9V Train Speed Regulator Regulator unit can operate the motors in one direction when turned clockwise from its central "Off" position, and in the other direction when the knob is turned counterclockwise. The speed control is very precise.

The only drawback to this setup is that your MOC is "tethered" to the 9V Train Speed Regulator unit via wires. To go "wireless", you could consider using the same PF Extension Wire between the old 9V (non-PF) battery box and the PF receiver's wire, then using this #8879 PF Remote Control unit WITH SPEED CONTROL: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?S=8879-1 . It accomplishes the same thing as the older unit, but this PF remote controller is wireless and can provide INDEPENDENT speed and direction to two motors. It came with the Emerald Night train set #10194. You can get one for US$13 directly from TLG for less than you can find one on Bricklink: http://shop.lego.com/product/?p=8879&L...7&ShipTo=US .

For a good overview about Power Functions, be sure to see Philo's "Power Functions Presentation" from http://philohome.com/tech.htm .

Edited March 8, 2010 by dluders

[freakwave]

I am so happy that I just came across this topic!

I ran various times through the search engine in vain and then decided to juast have a look what's new in the Technic forum, and voila, I found the answer!

what a coincidence

fW

[freakwave]

I just got my Bricklink order for the connecting cables between the train speed control and the PF.

Must say it is great to control and about being tethered, I plan to use it in some MOCs which are stationary but shall run for a long time, so batteries would be a pain in many ways like durability and accessability.

Happy I did buy those cables!

[DLuders]

If you're wearing out AA batteries a lot, it may be more economical (in the long run) to use AA Rechargeable Batteries. Energizer makes 2450 milli-Amp-Hour (mAH) batteries that last a LONG TIME and can be recharged at least 25 times. You'll have to get a matching charger unit, though. I went on eBay to get mine: http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksi...-All-Categories .

[CP5670]

I use wall-powered sources (control centers and speed regulators) whenever I can and tend to avoid battery boxes as much as possible. It would be good if TLG releases a native PF wall-powered source at some point. You currently have to use the converter cables with 9V sources.

Rechargable batteries are an interesting option, but they run around 7.2V and make the motors slower and less powerful than they would be on 9V. One reason why I don't like normal, alkaline batteries is that their voltage drops as their charge is used up, long before they fully die out. I've had cases where a Technic model was not working properly and I couldn't see any obvious reason for it, but it turned out to be the battery box outputting a low voltage and making the motors weak.

[victor_chio1725]

Hi, i also just got one of this old Train Speed Regulator 9V from a lego shop. and i am happy get the answer from here. tq.

[2x4Studios]

there's a couple of ways i use mine, i found an old style lego 9V connector to mindstorms which made testing Mindstorms creations very handy!