RC cars - done right

[sAm_vdP]

Hello everyone,

I've had this idea that has haunted me for a few days: I'd like to scrap an old RC-car and rebuild the remote control system plus some motors and a server into a lego-compatible format, so that one could build remote controlled lego cars from the ground up. The electronics shouldn't be that much of a problem, but I'm not sure about the mechanical part. I was shooting for maybe 4 or 6 AA batteries, maybe even AAA for smaller models and not to use original Lego motors, because they seem somewhat wimpy for the job. The question is: "How much motor" can the Lego mechanics handle? And in what can I package the motors? My idea was to use a 9V battery box, but that's still kinda small. I'd highly appreciate any suggestions and comments, so please go ahead.

Best regards,

Bartl

[Shine]

See here. :-)

[sAm_vdP]

Thank you, very interesting page.

[JINZONINGEN73]

See here. :-)

Cool site. Just the other day I was wondering what the difference in all the different motors were on Bricklink.

Man... I bet the 5292 race motor must do some sick things when hooked up to the AC 9V power source of a train set. X-D

[Brickthus]

Man... I bet the 5292 race motor must do some sick things when hooked up to the AC 9V power source of a train set. X-D

The AC 9V power source for the train controller gives only 300mA, far short of what the 5292 motor can draw under full load. The NXT motor and the large Power Function motor from the new Bulldozer 8275 http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=226241 can draw even more power, but only with batteries or a much stronger power supply. I only use the 9V train controller for yard work on my train layout because it isn't strong enough to power 2-motor trains for long periods.

The new Power Function large motors are great for making unstoppable tracked vehicles! Also the new IR RC functionality of the Power Function system (2 motors on each of 4 channels, with the other channels operable simultaneously using multiple handsets) might remove the need for hacking non-LEGO RC cars.

Mark