tinkerer Posted July 23, 2012 Posted July 23, 2012 (edited) Dear all, Over the past half year I've been programming and designing an open source LEGO power functions receiver. As you might know, LEGO opened up the Power Functions Remote Control specification. I thought it would be interesting to create an open source library for whatever microcontroller you'd like to use. Now to the practical side: To test and implement this code I decided to make the smallest LEGO power functions receiver: everything in one brick! That's 6 times smaller than the original AND I added servo control, so steering is better possible than ever. Now please understand that I'm not running a business here, the LEGO terms and conditions forbid me to commercialize this, and I'm not planning to commercialize this. BUT: I'm not a builder myself, and I'd very much like someone to build something interesting with the brick I designed. Farnell sponsored some components, so I can give away one receiver to an interested forum member. I don't know how many people are interested or would like to react, for me it would be nice to give this some exposure. One more thing: I already spoke other people who would REALLY like to get other functions in a receiver, like higher voltage or higher amps. This would enable technical savvy people to design their own power functions receiver with enhanced features. I think it makes the world a happier place ;) Please share your thoughts and take a look at www.hackvandedam.nl/openlegorc Edited July 23, 2012 by tinkerer Quote
Saberwing40k Posted July 23, 2012 Posted July 23, 2012 Dear all, Over the past half year I've been programming and designing an open source LEGO power functions receiver. As you might know, LEGO opened up the Power Functions Remote Control specification. I thought it would be interesting to create an open source library for whatever microcontroller you'd like to use. Now to the practical side: To test and implement this code I decided to make the smallest LEGO power functions receiver: everything in one brick! That's 6 times smaller than the original AND I added servo control, so steering is better possible than ever. Now please understand that I'm not running a business here, the LEGO terms and conditions forbid me to commercialize this, and I'm not planning to commercialize this. BUT: I'm not a builder myself, and I'd very much like someone to build something interesting with the brick I designed. Farnell sponsored some components, so I can give away one receiver to an interested forum member. I don't know how many people are interested or would like to react, for me it would be nice to give this some exposure. One more thing: I already spoke other people who would REALLY like to get other functions in a receiver, like higher voltage or higher amps. This would enable technical savvy people to design their own power functions receiver with enhanced features. I think it makes the world a happier place ;) Please share your thoughts and take a look at www.hackvandedam.nl/openlegorc This sounds cool. I'd totally make something amazing with your brick, count me in! Quote
mahjqa Posted July 24, 2012 Posted July 24, 2012 I would be very interested. My résumé: http://www.youtube.com/mahj Quote
tinkerer Posted July 24, 2012 Author Posted July 24, 2012 This sounds cool. I'd totally make something amazing with your brick, count me in! Hey Saberwing, Thanks for your reaction. Somehow I'm not allowed to see your profile. Can you show something you've built? Greetings, Tinkerer Quote
DLuders Posted July 24, 2012 Posted July 24, 2012 (edited) @ Tinkerer: Welcome to Eurobricks! Saberwing40k's Brickshelf gallery shows his creations (under the user name "Saberwing2"). See also this recent Eurobricks topic about "Saberwing's Future Project Thread". His Eurobricks profile says "Howdy folks, I'm Saberwing40k, an aspiring engineer and technic fanatic. i build many weird things in lego, not all of witch i have posted, but I'm getting there. i also belong to a FIRST team, 2083, Team Blitz. aside from lego, i am also into LOUD TECHNO MUSIC, Transformers, hard science fiction, and giant robot anime." Member Title: Technic catch of the day Age: Age Unknown Birthday: Birthday Unknown Gender: Location: Tabgha Lunar Base Interests: Lego, obviously. Giant Robots, Science Fiction, Catgirls. Country: Luna." Edited July 24, 2012 by DLuders Quote
timslegos Posted July 24, 2012 Posted July 24, 2012 I am deffinitly interested! My builds: Youtube Pictures tim Quote
tinkerer Posted July 25, 2012 Author Posted July 25, 2012 Wow... I hoped I'd get some response, I hadn't thought it would come this soon. This is the first time browsing around on Eurobricks and I'm astounded by what you people are building, I really like LEGO but can't really build good looking stuff without a booklet. I really liked the build style of Mahjqa, so I'll send him (I guess it's a him) a receiver. Please PM or mail me your address, and I'll ask you some questions on how you're planning to use it so I can solder the right cables for you if you'd like that. Saberwing and Timslegos: thanks for you interest, and I'll post here if I somehow get more of these receivers available, or if building these will be easier. I'm busy trying to find a way to make a list of vendors where you'd be able to get all parts. A matter of personal interest: are any of you people handy with soldering irons, electronics,... ? Quote
Edwin Korstanje Posted July 25, 2012 Posted July 25, 2012 Wow... I hoped I'd get some response, I hadn't thought it would come this soon. This is the first time browsing around on Eurobricks and I'm astounded by what you people are building, I really like LEGO but can't really build good looking stuff without a booklet. I really liked the build style of Mahjqa, so I'll send him (I guess it's a him) a receiver. Please PM or mail me your address, and I'll ask you some questions on how you're planning to use it so I can solder the right cables for you if you'd like that. Saberwing and Timslegos: thanks for you interest, and I'll post here if I somehow get more of these receivers available, or if building these will be easier. I'm busy trying to find a way to make a list of vendors where you'd be able to get all parts. A matter of personal interest: are any of you people handy with soldering irons, electronics,... ? I think you make the right choice to give Mahjqa the receiver. Quote
timslegos Posted July 25, 2012 Posted July 25, 2012 I think you make the right choice to give Mahjqa the receiver. I will second that. Good luck Mahjqa! tim Quote
Saberwing40k Posted July 25, 2012 Posted July 25, 2012 Wow... I hoped I'd get some response, I hadn't thought it would come this soon. This is the first time browsing around on Eurobricks and I'm astounded by what you people are building, I really like LEGO but can't really build good looking stuff without a booklet. I really liked the build style of Mahjqa, so I'll send him (I guess it's a him) a receiver. Please PM or mail me your address, and I'll ask you some questions on how you're planning to use it so I can solder the right cables for you if you'd like that. Saberwing and Timslegos: thanks for you interest, and I'll post here if I somehow get more of these receivers available, or if building these will be easier. I'm busy trying to find a way to make a list of vendors where you'd be able to get all parts. A matter of personal interest: are any of you people handy with soldering irons, electronics,... ? Okay, thanks for considering me. But, you have a minor problem. You need at least 10 good posts in order to send private messages. I'd suggest you read the site guidelines, it will save you many a headache. Quote
tinkerer Posted July 25, 2012 Author Posted July 25, 2012 (edited) Okay, thanks for considering me. But, you have a minor problem. You need at least 10 good posts in order to send private messages. I'd suggest you read the site guidelines, it will save you many a headache. Thanks Saberwing40k, I'm a n00b here; read guidelines but missed this one. Until I have 10 posts I'll write emails myself! Edited July 25, 2012 by tinkerer Quote
tinkerer Posted August 6, 2012 Author Posted August 6, 2012 OK, it's been a while since the last post, I'll tell what's been going on. I've had contact with Mahjqa, and I'm building a block with two LEGO power functions outputs, no servo connections (yet :) ). I had to order a LEGO cable, which came in last week. (Un)fortunately I found a bug in the motor driver just before completion, and fixing that bug takes longer than I hoped. I guess I'll be able to finish this by the end of this week.... Stay tuned! Quote
Burf2000 Posted August 7, 2012 Posted August 7, 2012 I am really interested in this I build very large things, http://youtube.com/burf2000 Quote
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