8043 Motor Upgrade

[Blakbird]

I was just re-reading my old review of 8043 for some reason, and reliving the discussion of the initial problems people had with the lack of power to lift the boom. You may recall that LEGO released a service pack with redesigned linear actuators. The linear actuators basically have more internal clearance which gives them less internal friction but more wobble. For me personally, this fix never helped and I like the old snug actuators better. The problem was obviously a lack of power and there was little to no ability to change the gearing within the tightly packed model. At the time, the only motor options were M and XL. The XL had plenty of power but didn't fit without major mods (like Jurgen Krooshoop performed). My question is this: now that the L motor is out with more power than the M at nearly the same size, has anyone tried putting it in the 8043 and does it help? What about the V2 receiver? This should also deliver more of the electrical power to the linear actuators. I have a feeling that this just might work but I don't presently have any extra L motors to try it out.

[jantjeuh]

Replacing one of the M-motors by an L-motor will need some more changes though, as the M-motor that is used for raising/lowering the boom is also used to power the left track. So you have two options: replace two M-motors by L-motors so that both tracks are powered by L-motors and will therefore be synchronized (but slower, unless geared up), or somehow change the geartrain in such a way that the L-motor is used for rotating the upper structure when not raising/lowering the boom.

Edited September 12, 2013 by jantjeuh

[Saberwing40k]

Or you could do what I did, which is use a cluster of rubber bands to counter the weight of the boom.

[Junpei]

Rubber bands? That's a lot of rubber bands. Replacing the m-motors with l-motors shouldn't be that hard, they're only 1 stud longer and have better mounting points.

[irispen]

Hmm i dont see any problems with my 8043, when batteries are fresh, it act like a normal excavator

[dhc6twinotter]

I've been looking over the instructions, and I think the L motors would definately fit, but not without modifications. With the L motors being 1 stud longer, the black 3x11 panel on the rear will have to be removed or pushed back 1 stud.

I don't recall what motors power the tracks, but I think it's the far left motor and the one next to it. If this is the case, the side panels will be very close to the motor, but I think there will barely be enough room.

Replacing 2 of the m motors with L motors seems like a good idea to me.

EDIT: Forgot to say that the L motors would have to be mounted sideways.

Edited September 13, 2013 by dhc6twinotter

[Rockbrick]

Nothing wrong with rubber bands good old 8851 needed them too....

[Jim]

Makes me wanna build Jurgen's ultimate 8043 with some modifications to replace the XL motor with the L motor.

[Chrizzle]

Hi,

I have done this quite a wihle ago. The only thing you will need to solve is the different length of the L-Motor.

But in my opinion it's worth the changes that you have to make on the 8043, since performance drastically improves!

I also used two of the new V2 receivers. Everthing powerd by the 8878 rechargeable battery box.

- Performance

- Tracks and Motor Placement

Regards

Chrizzle