DLuders

On this webpage, Sariel did a nice review of the Pros/Cons of the Lego 8878 Power Functions Rechargeable Battery Box. I own both that one and the 88000 Lego Power Functions AAA Battery Box, and can say that the 8878 BB is REALLY LIGHT but only produces 7.4V (vs. 9V with six new AAA Alkaline batteries in the 88000). The 8878 has some nice features, but perhaps the 88000 is the "better value" if you don't mind buying Alkaline batteries often. If you put rechargeable AAA batteries in the 88000 BB, you will get only 7.2V. In this TechnicBRICKS (TB) article (midway down the page), Conchas discussed the Lego Power Functions (LPF) elements in his interview with The Lego Group's Gaute Munch: "TBs: The LPF Rechargeable Battery Box has a security but quite inconvenient feature for the AFOLs use at exhibition displays, which turns OFF the battery after running continuously for about two hours, regardless of the charge level still remaining in it. Have you considered including some "hidden" override mechanism (e.g. a key sequence) for the power users? Why not? Wasn't it a safe and added value feature for this element? GM: You are completely right: This would be a good feature and it is on our list when we update it. This power down override was implemented in the LPF AAA Battery box after launch of the rechargeable. When the charger is on it will not power down." (Fernando Correia's note -- "Like with NXT brick, the last two batteries implement auto turn OFF feature, after approx. 2 hours of continuous operation. Only with the 88000 PF AAA Battery Box, the user can override this function - If you press and hold down the green button for more than 3 seconds the green light will blink to indicate that auto turn OFF is disabled. This means that a motor will run until the batteries are empty. To enable again turn the AAA Battery Box OFF and ON again.")

I'd like to see these new Lego Power Functions motors that came with the 9398 4x4 Crawler set (and which will be sold individually by The Lego Group starting in March 2013): 99499c01 "Electric, Motor 9V Power Functions L with Dark Bluish Gray Bottom" and 99498c01 "Electric, Motor 9V Power Functions Servo with Dark Bluish Gray Bottom":

@ Jennifer Clark: I see from your music website that you are an accomplished Double Bass & Bass Guitar player in a group named "Horse", on tour in the UK. There are a few other musicians in this forum (Sariel and Jurgen Krooshoop) -- would you say that designing with Lego Technic had helped you with "visualizing" your music?

In this TechnicBRICKS article ( http://www.technicbricks.com/2012/12/some-additional-dunechaser-stuff.html ), Conchas (Fernando Correia) posted "Some Additional Dunechase Stuff" -- paint-speckled tires to simulate mud on the Unimog tires and 9398's tires and details of the winch mechanism and headlights:

Yes, I will add your entry to an upcoming "Part 7" poll, along with any other entries made in the last 9 days of the competition.

Great work from the incomparable Jennifer Clark and Blakbird! Here is some additional information on Jennifer Clark's genuinemodels.com website: "Project Title: JCB JS220 Excavator Completion Date: 24/10/03 Electrical power for slew, drive, and differential track based steering. Boom, dipper and bucket are pneumatically powered, with all functions operated by a tethered remote controller that includes a four cylinder reciprocating pneumatic pump. Eventually I became unsatisfied with the Compact Excavator model, and decided to build an improved version. The larger JCB JS220 was the inspiration for this one, with opportunities to create a more detailed and powerful model. While the Hooklift Truck and All Terrain Crane had used some custom Lego components such as the prototype radio control units, I decided to make this one "pure" Lego, with no modified or custom components whatsoever, so that it could be built by anyone. Building the model this way was actually a very fulfilling challenge! I based this model on an excavator from a local plant hire company, and wanted to render the livery as accurately as possible. This meant the use of white stickers, something I had never done before as household printers cannot print white on transparent sheets. The answer was to get them printed commercially, and these high quality stickers remain in great shape today, nearly ten years later. Click here for more details Click here for instructions ."

(PART 6) Which of these entries (for the 2012 Lego Technic Competition) would you buy, assuming that the price is the same as the basic 9398 4x4 Crawler set? Click on the URL above each image to link to each entry's Gallery, and to check on the number of "Votes" it has. Your poll answers are private; you can pick one or more choices. You can add your public opinions as "Replies" to this topic if you'd like. I will be adding additional (compliant) entries to this topic until midnight on New Year's Eve (December 31, 2012). You can adjust your poll selections as required. Again, in this poll you can indicate more than one entry that you would consider buying. Be sure to add your official "Votes" to each entry below that you "Like"! The entries appear in "oldest-to-newest" order; the creation titles are not necessarily what the creators named them. These two batches of compliant entries supplements the Parts 1-5 batches presented earlier; more will be added over the next few days if there are any additional entries. If you would not buy any of them, then select the "None of the above" answer in each polling group. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * (First Group of 19) rumpletump's yellow offroader -- http://technic.us.le...=latest&index=9 : Kjalar's green-and-black offroader -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=558 : jovel74's black-and-orange offroad tow truck -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=560 : gabrielruitort / Parda's classic Lego wood-bodied offroader -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=563 : techniccustom's red-and-black offroader -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=580 : FCorreia/ Conchas' blue Dunechaser -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=591 : Eretik2101's orange offroader with white bobtail -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=592 : LegoKu888's The Legend Jeep with white hood (bonnet) -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=593 : legonerd84's Dark Bluish Grey Jeep -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=595 : saberwing9914/ Saberwing40k's 6-wheeled Moon Buggy -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=596 : TechnicFox's black offroader -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=597 : Rut01lego's black, toothed offroader -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=603 : PhillippGaspari's fastback offroader with V6 engine -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=607 : hrontos' quad bike in 4 color schemes (Dark Red version shown here) -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=620 : Istillings' orange offroader -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=621 : estillings' offroader with long hood (bonnet) -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=622 : maesigood's Texas longhorn offroader -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=623 : LEGOfyn11's black-and-red offroader -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=625 : mrookster's grey-and-black offoader -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=626 : * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * (Next Group) Janik099's 9398 with pneumatic attachments in the snow -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=627 : minse0's red offroader -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=631 : mooselips98's black offroader with tires on roof -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=638 : technicsupercars' yellow Jeep -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=640 : klaus3900's 9398 with 8297-like body -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=642 : p0pp0pp0p's black-and-yellow offroader -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=644 : JPuorger2's 4x4 Rescue Truck with winch -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=645 : lord-of-the-street's offroader -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=646 : florissuidman's offroader -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=655 : m1523's offroader -- http://technic.us.le...ldest&index=658 :

@ Kierna: When you have been on this forum for over 3 years (helping folks like you), then maybe you can tell others of your failed experiment. Have a nice Zombie Armageddon day.

This Lego City Hub article describes how to remove stickers from Lego minifigures -- the same procedure could be used on Lego Technic parts too: "You will need: Brasso (a silver metal cleaner) Water paper towel or cloth Good cleaning cloth (glass cleaning cloth is ideal) Cotton buds or Q tips Tooth pick Soapy solution, washing up liquid is ideal! "Note: Brasso is a micro abrasive metal polish so please read the usage instructions on the tin before using. And make sure you clean the minifigures throughly afterwards. How to remove the existing image: Put a SMALL amount of Brasso (about the size of a small coin) onto a cloth Rub the minifigure against the Brasso soaked cloth. Apply more Brasso if needed. The printing on the figure should come off in around 15 seconds to a minute. When the image has been removed, clean the minifigure or brick thoroughly with good hot soapy water. A mixture of washing up liguid and hot water is ideal! This is to remove any Brasso residue from your piece. For smaller pieces or areas, use the cotton bud or toothpick with Brasso to remove the images. Leave the piece or minifigure to dry and wash your hands thoroughly. The figure is ready for it’s new design. See our article on ‘How to apply waterslide decals to your minifigures’ if you need more help on how to do that!"

Nice replica! Were you able to "reverse engineer" the set from the few published photos of the set, or did you get PDF Building Instructions somehow? Did you use a stock 8043 Motorized Excavator as the basis for your replica? How do the 42006 and 8043 compare?

@ grohl: I know that you probably cannot say, but if The Lego Group would ever offer a beautiful set (which incorporated Technic and Creator/ Model Team design elements), they would sell A LOT of them....

Mod edit

@ rumpletump: OK, I'll be sure to include it in the next poll (which takes about 45 minutes each to prepare). In the meantime, it can get some exposure (and official votes) now:

@ Kierna: Since you continue to think that you can build a motorbike around the Lego RC Receiver unit, quit goofing around and buy one to see for yourself. There's only a few for sale right now on Bricklink -- it's the 6293c01 "Electric, RC Race Buggy Battery / Receiver Unit without Auxiliary Output" and it costs at least USD $20. Maybe Mario Ferrari's RC Differential Drive idea would be useful:

@ Kierna: Look at the huge number of studs taken up by the Lego RC Receiver unit:

(PART 5) Which of these entries (for the 2012 Lego Technic Competition) would you buy, assuming that the price is the same as the basic 9398 4x4 Crawler set? Click on the URL above each image to link to each entry's Gallery, and to check on the number of "Votes" it has. Your poll answers are private; you can pick one or more choices. You can add your public opinions as "Replies" to this topic if you'd like. I will be adding additional (compliant) entries to this topic until midnight on New Year's Eve (December 31, 2012). You can adjust your poll selections as required. Again, in this poll you can indicate more than one entry that you would consider buying. Be sure to add your official "Votes" to each entry below that you "Like"! The entries appear in "oldest-to-newest" order; the creation titles are not necessarily what the creators named them. This batch of 19 compliant entries supplements the Parts 1-4 batches presented earlier; more will be added over the next few days. If you would not buy any of them, then select the "None of the above" answer in the poll. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * gnarfje's green offroader in the garden -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=a52be770-cbc0-4cb5-a637-805c6f39989b&sort=oldest&index=488 : gene3S's white Escape Crawler -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=87c25bdc-3db3-4410-b167-7125df77bde9&sort=oldest&index=490 : minifiGH_88's white-and-orange offroader -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=26981646-73e1-4e6f-9398-5a0e8e568a59&sort=oldest&index=493 : melink1-9's offroader with long hood (bonnet) -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=74695bd6-2ce8-4110-8da6-dcf6909139bf&sort=oldest&index=494 : almantas2012's red-and-black offroader -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=20788b63-a35d-430e-9aea-46152434f8cf&sort=oldest&index=495 : Ben10H's black-nosed offroader -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=63a046ba-d4e9-4245-92fa-858f8572b6e0&sort=oldest&index=497 : idkwhoyouare's black offroader with black brush guard -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=04d6db76-5deb-4864-82a9-26858492beac&sort=oldest&index=498 : brennanlego2000's Dark Bluish Grey offroader with yellow trim -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=a2d1df4c-68b6-46a2-b5a7-ecc6f1fb0c08&sort=oldest&index=501 : chips82's scientific rover -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=67918bd3-8d05-40fc-8934-183a699971c1&sort=oldest&index=517 : nijman44's black-and-orange, blocky offroader -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=66067dd8-91bd-401c-bd56-ba1229868d19&sort=oldest&index=529 : timtimgo87's orange offroader -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=37d2a589-69cf-4ef9-a4f6-5b6879edf865&sort=oldest&index=533 : Tokcijgh445's black-and-red Mercedes offroader -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=d4a10119-1dc4-45be-a8a8-136dd4c5dc5e&sort=oldest&index=534 : nijman44's brown "Cars" movie offroader -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=f0f3ef22-20be-4463-b66f-765e2158c620&sort=oldest&index=536 : Tokcijgh445's red-and-white V10 offroader -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=30fa4247-695e-4f1a-9d42-df280937d81e&sort=oldest&index=541 : JediForce2001's grey studded offroader -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=3929ecbf-adad-4caa-83c1-3303846ab46a&sort=oldest&index=542 : Zozet's black-and-white offroader with light bar -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=e85e433f-f8d5-4051-aeee-d3020afc4d41&sort=oldest&index=544 : nijman44's black box cargo offroader -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=fe8c0273-c9a3-4271-abdb-e94a376f191a&sort=oldest&index=546 : funtime3290's 8-wheeled offroader with rear ramp -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=5028b21f-e695-42ce-a311-a3b7233f673c&sort=oldest&index=553 : danithebuilder's farm tractor with front and side blades -- http://technic.us.lego.com/en-us/Creations/Details/Default.aspx?projectid=3afacdf9-ac79-4b63-a5ef-485c19c104fb&sort=oldest&index=557 :

I like how you used those RC4WD Rock Crusher X/T 1.9 Tires on the Lego 44772 wheels! They sure are a lot more grippy than the Lego 32298 Power Puller tires (which are reportedly "deleted" by the Lego Technic Designers, per this recent TechnicBRICKS article). Specifications of RC4WD ROck Crusher X/T 1.9 Tires: Outer Diameter: 4.25" (107mm) Width: 1.53" (38.9 mm) Inner Diameter: 1.9" (48mm) Each tire weight: 3.3 oz / 93 g

In this Eurobricks topic, Lego AFOLs have reported good results from using Oxyclean to brighten their Lego bricks. Here are the before-and-after pictures:

@ xikin: Whoa -- I don't think Blakbird even has all of those models! Do you show them at local Lego conventions or exhibitions? They're too nice to keep on a shelf all the time.

What a classy model! :thumbup: Stock up on those curved red slopes now!

You could put 6 ea. 1.5V AAA Alkaline batteries in the 88000 "Power Functions AAA Battery Box" if you're worried about the voltage. The AAA batteries don't last as long as AAs, but they are perfectly adequate for play. You could attach some 2444 "Plate, Modified 2 x 2 with Pin Hole" parts to the underside of the battery box to attach it to the Technic pinholes in your frame.

I'm not sure whether using the Lego RC components will work on something that small. I see that you're using the Power Functions Servo Motor for steering. To save weight, you should consider using a 99499c01 Power Functions L-Motor (in place of the PF XL motor) and a 8878 Power Functions Rechargeable Battery Box (which has an added benefit of being smaller than the regular PF Battery Box). Your PF Receiver may be too shielded by other parts to get a strong signal from the PF Controller.

OK, I added some words to the original post so that sparrow6400's entry does not garner any more votes: _m_w_ / Marv's entry dated 23 Oct 2012: Sparrow6400's entry (dated 4 Nov 2012):

I bet some other Technic AFOL in the UK would be happy to buy it from you!

Very nice GBC module! From your original LUGpol topic, you wrote (in this rough Polish-to-English translation): "GBC it was on my mind for a long time, but as I watched all the movies are coming to the conclusion that the module is already invented so much, it's hard to create something new, a copy of the existing somehow I am not amused. In September, there was this MOVIE . This most ingenious loop I've ever seen, and best of all, most of the units I saw for the first time. Watching wondered how you can come up with such great ideas, almost all modules of the film are controlled mechanically, without the use of NXT. This meant that I started to think a lot of what I could build an interesting module to start with. The idea for a sort of elevator that automatically would change the direction of rotation to go up again, down again. Quickly built a prototype and checked the operation of the mechanism. Next already gone quickly, because at this site there was no need to worry about special appearance. After about a week she was ready machine :) How does it work? The principle is very simple. Between the power source and the motor switch is 9v. It is connected to the two levers - the top and bottom. Erase the additional switch causes the light moving lever moves it to the other side very quickly, so do not feel the moment when the switch is in the zero position. For this platform in the down position by pressing the lever opens another "goal" and allows piłeczkom fight inside. In this photo you can see a well-mechanisms:" "The whole thing is powered by a transparent cube hidden in the red the block....Of course, this is not the end, the plans have several other modules. I think the Pyrkonu I can make a small loop."