Toastie

Wonderful!!! This is really cool. The most difficult part is, as far as I am concerned, opening a 9V device without "breaking it" to the extent of not being able to reassemble them. So the clue is how to do this. Brute force always works - and then one may even figure out from the debris how it was holding in place. I thus would be so nice to show how to open a 9V device, as you did. The rotation sensor for example is a rather delicate piece - I ruined one to see how it is clamped. Videos showing the "opening" of 9V devices are of rather high value - maybe even for more folks than just me. Thanks (a lot) for sharing! Best, Thorsten

Well, no. First, for me there is no "we" - there are individuals. Second, I am no way a hard-core fan of TLG. In contrast. I do like their product, i.e. their bricks'n'plates - as I do like many alternatives, model wise - and in the meantime - brick-quality wise. Yes, this is an AFOL forum - but hopefully nowhere near any type of hard-core (for me, of course). That is exactly why I am here since more than a decade. Actually, I believe that that "hard-core" bit is rendering the "fan" bit being less of a fan but rather a cultist. I like soft core much better. It allows more of a clear sky sight. Cheers, Thorsten

Yes, but I guess with a relative weight of 1 for the cool and 50 for the profit Best Thorsten

Hi Jared, merde. Now - I believe this Forum is mostly frequented by - uhm - nerds (forgive me, folks, I count me in for sure!!!). As I think that this is a very cool project - @Jim (sorry for bothering you) - is there any chance to spread the word here on EB? Best wishes, cross my fingers, Thorsten

Said it before - fantastic layout, which is for me much more so a heavy duty, excellently done, multi-level construction miracle. Back to the quote: TLG even then simply entirely lost knowledge regarding the "meaning", the "feel", the "rational" of vision, skill, dedication, time ... I am not talking about the designers (you most probably did not talk to), but the machine behind/in front of them. These folks may have misspelled the words "never work" - but meant "never pays off". You know, just leave "TLG" alone - they simply believe to rule, they know it all. Let them just make the bricks. Actually, even that is fading more and more, as competitors simply become - more than competitive. The "TLG silence" afterwards tells all about them. The action, joy, and engagement elsewhere tells all about >not them<. Just enjoy (as you do) and have as much fun as possible with and in your world. With very best regards, Thorsten

And that is the point! I can really see that. To be quite honest: I believe, yes, getting a set for free is nice. And creating a review of "your quality" is naturally a >lot< of work. For the community - and for TLG. My take is: When you get something for free from a company, particularly one like TLG, something is hiding. Or hidden. There are some occasions (family, true friends, being a friendly human, startups, ...), where for free is not that but giving, in the true sense of giving, or hoping. When a world-wide operating, truly for profit orientated manufacturer of truly overpriced sets of bricks is doing that, then - something is behind it. TLG is anything, but a charity operation, regardless of how much "charity" they do. And EB is so much more than TLG possibly can ever be (as a Creativity Pool, we need the plastic for sure) - as this is an open source, diverse public domain community. And such communities build on and live on everyone. Certainly not on "Here: Do something (nice), it's free." I may very well be totally wrong, but none of the reviews on EB said: No, sorry. When you try again, I bet you'll pass (the exam) but this time - you unfortunately failed (= 0/10 points). It could also be that TLG is simply superior in every regard, but hey, there is the Internet. There, they have videos and stuff, you know. From folks in the public domain actually buying the sets. Yeah, they are also biased; the worse the review, the more clicks. For either just sucking it up - or starting a sh*t storm. Creating more clicks. I know. I am on EB for more than 10 years for seeking ideas (not IDEAS!!!), for tips, hints, fun, pubs, learning, exchange, discussions, and sharing. My share of sharing is next to nothing - but I try. Not the point. EB works beautifully well without being an RLOC - maybe even better. And when wanting to be a member of a cult, do the RLFM thing. Well, you didn't want to rant and certainly did not - I didn't want to either. And did not: I am happy to be around here. With or without free sets. Well, maybe even happier without. Thank you very much again for all your fantastic reviews Jim, for your work on EB, for steering this thing with wisdom. All the best, Thorsten

But you know - there is a subtle difference: Destroying stuff vs playing cards. I like to play cards. And simply leave the other stuff to other people. @thebricky: Wonderful machine/mechanism you created. My family likes to play "Schwimmen" (bloody Germans), where you need "a set" of three cards for each player + 2 "sets" for the one who gives. This is a perfect solution for forking out the cards without claiming ... cheating All the best, Thorsten

You traded the Crocodile for this? 1:40 - but watch to the very end!!! (fix the cigarette lighter ...) Wow. Incredible. Wonderful. Your Ge 2/4 in 4 wide is a blast. A marvel. Congratulations - and thank you very much for sharing!!! All the best, Thorsten

Per-fect! Congratulations!!! All the best, Thorsten

First of: Thank you for that elaborate answer - I really appreciate that! Thanks a lot. Now, with regard to discussions on the forum (I like very much to follow but don't reply, because I don't have knowledge in this regard): Please go on and discuss - there is nothing better than a dynamic play out - which simply resembles an engaged discussion. We all - OK - I - do learn from, a lot. No cursing, no I know it better than you, but more along the lines: "That is what I think". That makes such a difference, and you know it. As long as personal judgement is not elevated to general proclamations, these discussions become a source for seeking for orientation. And that is what I like so much. All the best, Thorsten

And what would be the outcome of that more loose treatment? I am curious. Best, Thorsten

Don't worry - it was meant to just add to the confusion. Now, just to briefly unravel that equation: When you multiply minus one with minus one (the minuses and the ones are bracketed) you get (plus) one. And as the order of operations is multiplication first then subtraction, one (the result of the multiplication) minus one equals zero. What does that have to do with what @Feuer Zug said? Dunno, the equation "just popped in there" (citing Dr. Ray Stanz, when they had to choose the destructor - in Ghostbusters). Was a long day - don't take anything seriously here. Sorry for derailing the unpopularity of unpopular opinions theme with unpopular math. Cheers, Thorsten

It's a "(-1) x (-1) - 1 = 0 " thing. Best, Thorsten

Hi Jared, I also completed your survey. All the best for the work on your thesis! If possible, I'd like to get a copy of your write-up, will be for sure a very interesting read! (tbenter@uni-wuppertal.de) All the best, Thorsten

Good evening Frans, thank you very much for your excellent explanations!!! Enjoy your next two weeks as much as you possibly can (time goes by so slowly - for those who wait, as Madonna said). I wish you all the fun! Best, Thorsten

Hi Frans, fantastic work, I really love it! Getting that close to the hardware level is always the coolest thing, the fastest approach, and allows the greatest flexibility as every layer "above" abstracts more and more (naturally and intentionally, of course). Now, just to get this "obstacle" out of my (personal) way of thinking: I believe you are using "hub" with more than one meaning, is that correct? I may well have misunderstood some of TLGs new name game definitions. For me, a "hub" is the microcontroller thingy (City hub, Technic hub, and whatever they came up with). The peripherals are actuators or sensors, and these are connected to the "ports" of the hub. So when you write "All values of the 6 hubs" - is that all values of the six sensors? I believe so. The hub is also providing data to some of the sensors/actuators, correct? And you are intercepting this two-way traffic. Is that what it is? Forgive me my ignorance! All the best and keep on with this terrific work! Thorsten

We got to be very careful here (on EB that is) but - I wish, I truly wish - and to be honest had hoped for - that this had been phrased (boldly) differently: "We have paused shipments of products to Russia given the extensive disruption to the operating environment." (cited from the link @TeriXeri provided). TLG is about toys for children throughout the world, including Russia. Absolutely agreed on. This is also about Russians >not< being responsible for what is happening. However, when a country wages a war - it is the country waging that war. And not the not agreeing folks. This is not how it works. Toys or not. So - TLG phrased it in an absolutely passive way: "Disruption" (i.e. others) is causing the 'pause of shipments'. So, TLG cannot do anything about it. Hell, if the war did not disrupt the operating environment, then TLG would still ship to Russia??? What??? It seems so. McDonald's, and myriads of other companies have >seized< servicing/trading with Russia >because< of the war; Russia (not the Russians) began - for whatever reason. So our beloved TLG is doing this due to the disruption of the operating environment. I won't say anything here. But believe me: That is ... much more than underwhelming. Which is not phrasing it correctly. But again: Not here. Mods: Please remove post if inappropriate. Thorsten

See, and this is the thing! It all depends. What - how - how long - under what scenario. That is why I was asking @h3ctic about his "scenario" - big word for: How and how long Of course, the BuWizz does it for you - otherwise you won't use it! And shows - I don't know anything about that. Just playing up here, in my attic. I love this place. Thanks a lot for sharing your (very nice) "old setup" and what you do now! All the best, Thorsten

Nice one!!! And you could even take out the PF battery boxes, when you solder the two 9V wires to a PF terminal, not using C1/2 but VCC/GND for the receivers. @h3ctic would just use the 9V/PF extension cables on your setup, as he needs power for motors only (as it appears) and thus C1/2 will do. However, this arrangement would run forever - the BuWizz would not. What did you do with this (very nice) setup? Short term operation only? Best, Thorsten

Maybe we should get more input from @h3ctic before suggesting more solutions. A current BuWizz 3.0 brick clocks in at €199 (4 PoweredUp outlets, 2 PF), the BuWizz 2.0 at €149 (4 PF outlets) both +VAT in the EU. What you get is a lot of powerful features in addition to power. However, you also get 20 or 15 of these train controllers for the same amount of money. The questions are: How many motors are you planning on running at the same time? Is battery operation an option at all? A BuWizz has to be recharged - some drain the LiPos inside within 10 minutes doing crazy things. But do you want to do crazy things? Or rather normal but prolonged operation of motors? In other words, what are you planning to do with the motors? High load with "many motors" on the BuWizz - you can simply calculate the time its battery will last - they have the capacity on their website and Philo (https://www.philohome.com/motors/motorcomp.htm) has the amperage of all LEGO motors on his website. For going to the limits, the BuWizz will crank out all juice within 10 minutes as said, when you are very easy on the load - for hours. Flowing current x time is the thing here; example: Drawing sustained 5A for 10 minutes (a race car in ludicrous mode on the track, fighting the challengers) is the same as 0.05 A for 1000 minutes = 16 hours (a light 9V train with no carriages) I am not sure if the BuWizz can recharge on the fly (as TLG's 8878 LiPo can) and if, if it can recharge fast enough for any high load (> 1 A current operation). I really don't think so. LiPos can crank out insane amps for short periods without getting damaged (although they do age >much< faster), but recharging usually takes much longer. Nothing is better for prolonged operation of motors for hours and hours than getting the juice from a wall socket. Never. However, that is for stationary operation only, of course. The train controller does provide 1A sustained DC without any issues. Again: What is your plan? If you want to go above 1A - do what @dr_spock does: Make suitable connectors (in his picture, you can see his 3D printed custom connectors - is that right @dr_spock?), and hook up a 20A 9V power supply to your motors. These start at $50 (= 4 for one BuWizz 3.0 = 80A) and you can run 80 motors at 1A [which is roughly the average amperage of a stalled (= worst case) LEGO motor, see Philo's page]. When you tell us your plans - more answers are to come! Best wishes, Thorsten

Well, this may be because "recent" is fewer years than "1990 - 2013". We should wait for the "recent" stickers maturing for 9 - 32 years (corresponding to 1990 - 2013) and then see how they perform after that time elapsed. Best, Thorsten

CONGRATULATIONS!!! This is so nice to read. Now you have brought a beautiful piece of engineering back to life! It feels good, doesn't it? Really, really great. 8878 is such an expensive (but nicely equipped) piece of electronics - that damned chemistry box causing the trouble is now, as a result of your carefully executed and very nicely documented work, is now replaceable! Thank you very much again! Best regards, Thorsten

Absolutely nice work! Well, the "AC" bit is a bit strange in the LEGO world - no clue where that came from - other than "this is TLG proprietary stuff - and you better get your hands off because it will be 'bad'". You know, the bit in Ghost Busters, where Dr. Venkman says: "I am fuzzy at all good/bad things. What do you mean, bad?. BTW: As they did with their hilarious 10V DC power supply for charging 8878 ... oh my. All the components you are powering with AC voltage in your video, have a voltage rectifying "circuit" inside. Naturally - as TLG motors and stuff are of the DC variety. They can' run on AC. Example: A 9V train motor is a DC motor, as are all the motors TLG has offered since decades. It means they can simply spin in one direction by applying +some Volts and in the other by reversing that (DC) voltage. Now, this rectifying "circuit" is in every case you have shown a bridge rectifier (as far as I have taking apart these devices, correct me if I am wrong). These run perfectly well on AC and DC power supplies. Furthermore, as the AC has to be rectified from - well - let's call them unknown sources (yes, there are TLG AC power supplies from the past, but you never know, apparently little folks swallow bulky magnets by the numbers - and they certainly plug whatever fits into the socket ...) to 9V DC. So, there is always a voltage regulator as well on these things that have the 9 - 12 V AC sign on them. This translates to: Use whatever you see fit to get >above< 9V DC (AC may do it at 8V - sureley at about +10V, DC will do above 2x Si diode voltage drop = 0.6V each = 12V DC. Don't worry about any margins ... 15V DC will work fine. I'd stop it at 18V DC, but that is just for the 8878. The good old stuff will get warm, but not blow out. All the best, Thorsten Wait wait wait. I simply forgot, and this is not nice at all. Your power supply is of beautiful design. Nicely soldered, cleanly laid out, very nice and clean enclosure!!! And: It works. Really cool. I like it very much!

Wow, this is insane! The "thing" for me is: PoweredUp/PyBricks with super Technic MOCs at their best. Try that with PF (I am still in love with but ...) Thank you very much for sharing, particularly the things you can do with "on-the-fly" PUp stuff. Best, Thorsten

Phew. I suggest rethinking the "don't like it" bit. Do you really believe this is it? Not liking it? And then these folks call for - oh my - "cancellation"? I believe there is more behind this. More complex issues. "Chinese" - as far as I am concerned - doesn't match here. But: Just my opinion - triggered by the "I love it" bit. Best, Thorsten