Kiwi Claire

I did get it to fit, only just though. I was originally going to try and squeeze in 3 18650's, and use a similar sized step-down board, but I couldn't get 3 in without completely destroying the structural integrity of the original PF battery box, although 3 would theoretically fit within the profile of the box. I used this item to step the voltage up: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/EYEWINK-LTC1871-100W-6A-DC-Power-Source-Step-Up-Converter-DC-DC-3-5V-30V-5v/32812716509.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.73484c4d9oqLHa I think a nifty project would be to design a modified PF battery box in AuctoCad, or similar, which can accomodate 3 18650's, plus a standard voltage step up board, which could be 3D printed. Maybe you could even get a run of them moulded. People could just add standard battery spring contacts and wire it up themselves, you could sell it as a kit or something. It might be quite popular, who knows. It wouldn't cost much, as the batteries would be supplied by the user etc. I just wish I had the skills! (hint hint, nudge nudge to any clever folk out there..). I think it weirdly serendipitous that these items fit so snuggly within the footprint of the standard PF battery box, it would be a shame not make the most of that fact..lol

Thanks! It was fun to do and I'm looking forward to doing some fancier versions in the future too :) That is some excellent info! Thank you so much. It actually makes think I might retain the clutch gears for a while yet, as I'm not sure the LA clutching mechanism is quite as benign as the white clutch gears, I'll have a think about it... :) Information is power! Thank you, lol, I wish I'd straightened it out though, and generally checked the model out a bit more carefully before photographing it, I literally just pinched it off the kids for a while to take a few snaps while they were having lunch lol. But yes, I had a container of multicoloured cable ties so it would have been a shame not to... although with the way the Technic team design things these days, I probably should have actually used someblue or red cable ties instead lol... ;)

That is so cool!! What an amazing recreation, well done :) The kids look pretty buzzed too lol. That's a really interesting combination of construction styles also :) Well I might just remove those clutch gears then, we'll get a bit more arm movement speed back too :) Thanks for the advice.

Lol, great spotting! I think the door come off/been pulled to bits a few times with kids checking out the fan and motor etc lol, so it may have been put back together shabbily my me. I am pretty anal about any stickers I apply though (generally a sticker minimalist) so I'm pretty sure it would have been the right way up at some point lol. Ha! Fellow Kiwi! chur cuzzie :D Hi! Thank you :) Its not super tricky, and I'm definitely no guru, I just bout the board off ebay for like $6, its even adjustable, with a digital display! :) I bet you could learn pretty much everything you would need to do basic stuff like this by watching youtube, the future is amazing lol! The hard part with the batttery box thing was just trying to cut the box enough that I could fit the 18650's without it being too weak and falling to bits. Anyway if you're interested in hobby electrical stuff then I would seriously recommend watching youtube videos about small electrical projects, and then fill in any blanks you might have via other resources if need be. I learnt how to pick locks last year from watching youtube lol! Its crazy.

Hiya! I'm not sure, I think I got the impression that it was all motors and and linear actuators (no gearboxes or anything "interesting"), so it wasn't cool, but I think it's cool, and I'm glad you do too! My niece and nephew think it's awsome also lol. I just bought a bunch of 3 mm leds in the brightness and colour which I wanted (eg https://www.jaycar.co.nz/red-3mm-led-1500mcd-round-clear/p/ZD0102 ) and resistors to suit each given an approx 9 volt power supply, a hobby electronics shop should tell you which ones you need for a given led and power source voltage. I also bought some rainbow ribbon cable as a source of wire, all the different colours help you keep a track of your loom, and some small heatshrink etc. Consumables required include solder and a few small cable ties (for the out rigger lights). I also used these https://www.jaycar.co.nz/2-way-lighting-connector/p/HM3197 where the lighting looms meet the Lego power functions cable, they're great as you can rewire or change things as many times as you like, they're almost like a Lego piece in a was (also made of ABS I think lol). As for the leds, once you file off a small ridge around the base of the plastic lamp section, they fit inside of a Technic pin, if you get it just riht they actually click in like another bit of lego. Aside from that it's all about chopping wires to the right length etc, soldering, and applying heat shrink. It takes a surprising amound of time, but it's quite satisfying. I'll definitely do it again for another model, I might have a go at making some flasher circuits too next time. As for the leds, I suggest that you buy the colour you want your final light to be,even if they will shine through a coloured tile etc, they just seem to look better, expecially if there is any light leakage. Anyway, have a go, it's fun! : ) And I think you'll be able illuminate things which wouldn't be possible with the lego lighting, as an extra bonus, plus other colours, brightness, etc. etc Yes I am, but they sound a little bit harsh, and possibly fast wearing to me..? I'm not sure how they operate though. The kids often just forget to take their finger off the control at the end of the arm/bucket's movement, so clutches get a real work out lol, I didn't want to be stressingm so I put in the gears :) I do have to re-synch the twin arm linear actuators occasionally due to the clutch gears though lol.. Wow, thanks! I had a good look at the actual machine, but took some considerable poetic licence lol, just how it worked out with the parts I managed to get, but I'm happy :) I think TLG left a lot of scope for aesthetic refinement with this machine (thanks guys), especially with the rear... Good luck! I'd definitely be interested to see what you come up with! Ha! The last time I really go into internet forums was like back in 2006 or so, so my legacy photohosting has followed me lol! What do all the cool kids use now? :) Thanks! I think it's a great model too, so wish it was around when I was like 10 lol

My apologies, I had some photo malfunctions, fixed now :)

I managed to pick up a new 42030 a while ago (I know, probably not everyone's favourite model) with the intention of making a nice, fun, playable model for my young niece and nephew (5 and 7). My devious motive was to see if I could entice them into Lego Technic with something cool-looking and easy to play with.... So I went all out to make thing a little bit special for them. Modifications include an SBrick, clutch gears (for protection when being played with by young kids), a custom fabricated led lighting system, and a reconfigured rear end to accommodate led lights. The original looks of the rear of the 42030, particularly the rear fender section, never really appealed to me, and don't look at all like the real L350F. So I set about improving things a little. I also needed a little extra length to accommodate an extra PF lead plugged on top of the original on the battery box. A bunch of random bits from bricklink were ordered, and I had a bit of a muck around to see if I could make something up.. And here is the result, I think it looks kinda badass, and helps to set off the rest of the model a bit. The kids love it too! They buzz about how they can control something in real-life via a smartphone screen lol.. Plus they are really like the lights. A late addition is a rough and ready lithium ion battery pack I've rigged up to get a bit more current and battery life, as well feeling bad about chewing through disposable AA's... There are two 2800 mAh 18650 cells in series. The was a lot of modifying of a second battery box, and a bit of re-wire, however it uses the original over current protection circuit. I have also added a voltage control (switch mode) board to bump the voltage up from 7-8 volts to 10 volts, which can't be seen in the pic. So the model isn't one for lego purists, but the kids sure have a great time with it! :) ^L-ion 18650 battery box^