Toastie

Didn't know that - just recently slowly killed an entire (very cheap) LED string (which was supposed to run on a 2x1.5V battery pack) by replacing that with a dirt cheap "3V DC" (measured about 4 V) wall wart. When looking into that a little more, it turned out to be a wall wart with a considerable AC component on the DC voltage. All but one of the 20 LEDs died over about 1 month … which may then just mean they were even of worse quality than the bad wall wart However, there seem to be quite some references out there that do not favor the 12V reversing voltage … maybe that is an how-much-you-spend-on-LED-thing? Or: The LEDs I have in my storage bins are more than 8 years old - and they are simply making better ones nowadays? Interesting! Thanks for pointing that out. I guess I need a new order of LEDs! Best Thorsten

The little junction box is a little more than that: It features a bridge rectifer and some other components that allow the hub to see what is connected its ports: When you set the output to "motor" make sure that the LEDs don't see full reverse polarity as many of them don't like that very much. (http://www.learningaboutelectronics.com/Articles/How-to-connect-a-protection-diode-in-a-circuit) I believe one can also use two antiparallel LEDs - one for forward one for reverse current - and the one emitting will protect the one in reverse. Best, Thorsten But it could may be done, right? Maybe a drop down list in the frame of the current hub with other hubs already connected to your BLE clients; then select one from that list; then use the slider.value change event to trigger the other one? (I am doing that in my software) Best Thorsten

Well. Yes: An Island in the North Sea belonging to the Eurasian continental plate will have problems in being not Europe anymore after a socio-economic Brexit, I give you that. So I stand correct: I thought the European Union was a pretty god idea. You are right: Europe is just a name for a rather small geographical region of Eurasia. What I was saying though is that I find it fascinating that such a comparably small geographical region on this planet with so many and diverse ethnical, economical, cultural, judicial, political, ideational ways of living is a comparably silent region in the world. And I believe that the European Union with all the stupid and countless rules and regulations and all that stuff that apparently irritates people so much - is favorably playing a role in that particular situation. IMHO. I have a >totally< (I could not be more than that) different take on using Britisch Empire and the (presumably) German Reich in the same context. The former has a several century spanning historically in so many aspects important and relevant (there were certainly not to few downsides as well) role in history, whereas the latter is a total and final error in the history of mankind. The latter should never appear in any kind of historical context or measure. It should always stand alone - and as a final error. And we should leave it here. And we (I) should take it easy: Sorry for running into the … Brexit trap. I simply should stop thinking and typing when hearing Brexit. In that regard: All the very best Thorsten

There is nothing wrong with that considering that this particular blue brick is existing decades longer than the 1980's, is there? It is sort of telling a story … from a long time ago. Which is still happening today. And most probably happening tomorrow. And the day after tomorrow. And … What I like so much about the "Euro" bit is that nowhere in/on this world more diverse "populations" just try it out. For decades now. Without banging their heads and what not. And foremost: With forgiving unbelievable things that "happened" in the past. I am German and I am not proud of it. It is with great pride I am calling myself an European. Living and building Europe as a model for the world. Only as far as I am concerned, of course. [Oh yes: the Brexit. When learning about the educated British people's decision, I was very frustrated as I thought Europe was a pretty good idea. After seeing what the British government has accomplished over the past two years with respect to the Brexit and with respect of disclosing to the world how it works, in the parliament: WTF, just do it. Get outta Europe. Do your thing. And simply leave the other 27 countries alone. With or without "plan". We'll see whether or not the British Empire will prospect again - when it works, Europe will suffer roally, for sure. But when it does not work out … how about joining again? I'll vote for it, again for sure!] I like the Euro part very much. The "bricks" part is indispensable, of course. All the best, Thorsten

Well - believe me - I was thinking exactly the same thing (OK, replace the drunk with crazy, self focused or whatever) when I was in high school. I mean who makes up these rules? On the other hand, lets call it … … … heritage or … … … no, can't think of any other reasonable reason. But that is me. But: It is fun! At age close to 60 you just enjoy stupid things like that And then … I learned in beautiful SoCal: No comma before that, but more or less always before which. And then the if and when thing … and this and that … cool stuff ... So back on topic: I also believe the MOC is very well rendering the real train. DB is painting them in red/white, so is the MOC. Silberling or not … All the best Thorsten

Yes Yes and that is so true. But I agree with @Tmc0 that is could be much worse of course. But it could be much better as well. I simply do not believe that it is next to impossible to integrate such functionality when you do that at design time. I mean people are doing it on their own after the product has been released. That is what lately repeatedly strikes me as a "why on earth didn't they?" thing. It really is so much fun to see all the PBricks communicate with each other. The RCX/SCOUT/Spybots are from around 1998 on - which still can talk to a NXT via the IRLink-Sensor, the NXT via BT messages with the EV3 and that one with appropriate software (as I have now learned from @Tmc0) that one can talk to the PuP BLE devices. I am just saying that I would push for such features at design time if I were TLG. But I am not. I nevertheless looks so far so good with 3rd party stuff … All the best Thorsten

And that is what I call a) true backward compatibility (as in: brick compatibility) and b) sustainable development. When it comes to bricks, TLG is so proud about backward compatibility - when it comes to anything LEGO software/electronics it appears as if they don't have - if they ever had - I plan. It is possible. I am using MicroScout, Scout, RCX, Spybots (VLL, IR protocol) along with NXT (IR protocol, Bluetooth), and PuP devices (Bluetooth LE) all in one software: Microsofts VB6. The NXT knows how to communicate with RCX', Spybots and Scouts with the >brilliant, fantastic< HiTechnic IRLink Sensor. The Scout speaks natively VLL. RCX, Scouts and Spybots interact directly. So every PBrick "of the past" can basically establish communications with every other type. The EV3 brick is included as well as that one understand Bluetooth ... The BLE devices are completely set aside and totally isolated. The only way to get them aboard is with a "base" (e.g. a computer providing the link). Yes. I am missing the good ol'days. Or better: The days when TLG provided "communication links". As far as I am concerned, they do not anymore. And this is why folks ask for "infamous IRLink Sensor support" (which in contrast the brilliant IRLink sensor) and 1.04 or 1.05 firmwares. All the best Thorsten

Just to take this to the education level (the moderators will kill us on this pretty soon …) As @Duq recalled: They hammered that into our brains back then: "An, auf, hinter, neben, in; über, unter, vor und zwischen" (the ";" means a pause) - always is dative … (note the ordering, note the "in" being in the wrong place but nicely adding to the flow ... "Durch, für, ohne, um; sondern, gegen, wider" - always accusative … "Mit, nach, bei, seit, von, zu, aus" - that depends - dative when you can ask for "where and when" - and accusative when you can ask - errr - "whereabouts". My goodness ... I >totally< agree. From the perspective of "having survived high school" (barely) and "made it so far through life" - it actually became fun! So … anyone into German punctuation??? That is a blast. At least ... To make sure that the moderators will not pull the plug on this thread: "Rotling" is apparently a well-known term to German train heads. Hmm. Whatever. One thing strikes me: Why would you call a refurbished, maybe not anymore stainless steel covered coach a "Silberling"? That makes no sense when applying any (random) German language roles … other than: "It was always like that" … or: "It will never be anything else …" So a red/white painted n-Wagen is called a "Silberling" because you >know< things. All the best Thorsten

Wow! I like your idea very, very much. You ship is a true "Time Conserver" … a space ship that carries a wonderful sailing ship in its body. I would go without the tentacles - just with some space antennas or whatever a space ship need in the front section. Thank you very much for sharing! I love it. Best Thorsten

What??? Wikipedia is not telling the truth? And I donated money … what a disappointment () Well, I have never heard these other terms as well - but they make sense, don't they. I'll ask a DRB/DB knowledge institution tomorrow (that is the mechanical engineer in my group). Then we will know for sure And well, they are seldom called "Silberlingen" as you need to use the term in plural and dative case: "Der Zug mit den Silberlingen am Haken fährt in den Bahnhof ein." (Singular: Der Silberling - des Silberlings - dem Silberling - den Silberling. Plural: Die Silberlinge, der Silberlinge, >>>den Silberlingen<<<, die Silberlinge) And again this is meant to be funny , please don't take me serious, @Duq … stupid German Language details in the Eurobricks Train Tech Forum. Have fun! Best Thorsten

Wikipedia is your friend: "Silberling is the colloquial name for the n-coaches of the Deutsche Bundesbahn, a type of regional passenger coach of which more than 7,000 units were built from 1958 to 1981. Nearly all of the coaches have undergone extensive modernisation – these modernised units are widely known as Mintling, Grünling ("greenling") or Rotling ("redling") after their exterior colours. The term Buntling ("colourfulling") is used to denote refurbished Silberling coaches in general." (Accessed 3-16-2019) Hmmm - it appears as if @traintraum has created a Rotling. Or Buntling … but they are Silberlings in their heart … Have colorful fun … Thorsten

It really is!!! Very nice. But you should mention (correct me if I am wrong!) that you need to modify the "base" plate of the 9V connector. Is that true? When I tried to "crimp" an original 9V wire (cut to length) using an unmodified 9V connector base plate, it was a pain in the butt to get the metal pieces cutting into the wire aligned with the two recesses in the base plate. It appear as if your cutting pieces are bent as well(?). Did you do anything about that or were you just pushing the base plate forcefully into its place? Thanks a lot, Thorsten P.S.: I just clipped the cutting pieces away and walked the soledring way, as @XG BC suggested.

Why should this be deleted? You asked, you figured it out. It does not get better! Best, Thorsten

Hmmmm Are we going to sue them (as in Ghostbusters, when Peck shows up in the fire station pi**ing off Pete?)? Just kidding … Best Thorsten

Don't think so. Maybe carefully knocking them with lets say the hand piece of a screw driver "loosens" the locking?

It is old tech, but it is not that straight forward (as the RCX knows when it rotates clockwise or counterclockwise): See Philo's detailed information on the sensor. Best, Thorsten

Really? I wasn't aware of that (I am not too much into the recent train stuff from TLG). But: Back to the roots I guess. Are they also color coded as they were in the blue/early gray era? Best Thorsten

They sure do (and this is the only way to couple them). These are dipole magnets - with a North and South pole. I have the feeling, the magnets inside the casing do not flip that freely and they may actually temporarily be geometrically "locked" in a wrong position. Repeatedly moving two new couplings to and from usually breaks that lock. The old magnets were allowed to rotate freely around their main magnetic axis - so there was no such issue. With regard to coupling strength: That scales non-linearly with distance between magnet surfaces: Small distance is tolerable (as in the new encased magnets). So putting an ABS barrier between them makes things less strong, depending on the thickness = distance. Best Thorsten

Well I don't. All I know for sure though that this is one of finest pieces of equipment TLG has ever released. As simple as that. The dial, the charging behavior. Perfect. I have no clue why they discontinue that box - maybe someone has swallowed it. Or found a way to blow out the LiPo. I have no clue. I have several of them and they rock. All the best, Thorsten

I don't know - your "model of Earth" is - to me - so much more than that. When I saw it the first time, I was … overwhelmed. Much more than that. It is not "just" the LEGO bricks. It is more. The colors. The details. The missing parts that you turned into the way she really looks. This is the most beautiful LEGO model I have seen in my life. Thank you very much for sharing. All the very best, Thorsten

Hi, looks good! Could you explain the Boost "tracked" function? Thanks, Thorsten

Hi Emanuele, what can be possibly appended. This is absolutely stunning. You are walking us through the real world process - wonderful. Well. Why am I not surprised … at all. All the very best, Thorsten

Hi @Pentomind, this is a really nice solution! I never thought about such issues - but this is how it is, when the stuff they make simply works for me. Thank you very much for sharing! All the best, Thorsten

This is so well phrased! That is my world.

Well, personally I truly believe that "not paying attention" to things that simply happen around you, and Leppin >is< happening, is - well - IMHO - arrogant. Sorry to phrase it that harsh, but such developments have to be faced. And openly discussed. The weaknesses have to be pointed out. The strengths as well. In history and surely presently in this world too many "developments" deserve attention and awareness. And not looking away. "Support" is something totally different. I am not talking about support at all. Attention and discussion is - as far as I am concerned - the core of the matter. Not paying attention from a supposedly "better" or "higher" perspective never makes things go away. I believe: In contrast. We need to pay very close attention. And then take measures. Just my 2 Cents. Best Thorsten.