calypso

Thank you. I subsequently installed BricxCC but I came unstuck trying tu use the Infra Red tower. I have ordered a USB adapter. Doubt if it will work though.

I dug out my old Mindstorms which uses the RCX 1.0 brick. I do not want to install the Mindstorms program but would just like to activate my brick and use my Lego remote to control it directly. I have a USB Infra Red transmitter attached to my computer but I need to download the setup software to activate my RCX 1.0. Any ideas as to where I can download the software please?

Found it. It was this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emlbk2D6xSo&list=FLEqOD2fpmd8V18vXVAKVoLQ&index=1&feature=plpp_video

Needed to pull out the winch cable without waiting for the motor to unwind it. It can be done (clutch) but winding it back on quickly is another matter. Found refence to this outside this forum which enables free wheeling of the drum when required. Searched the forum, but could find no mention of this small but useful mod. Works well.

I agree. I think I can confirm that the problem lies in the track/wheels design. I removed the tracks and fitted four wheels with rubber tyres. The model runs smooth as silk. Absolutely no jerkiness from the drive train. I believe that the cogs on the large track wheels are too rounded and too short, so that there is no continuous take up of the track by the drive wheels. It is a take up, slip, take up, slip action. The small track wheels are also badly designed in that they sink into each track link and have to climb over each link to then sink into the next one. Strange how something so obvious got past Lego's designers.

Thank you both. I can certainly live with it. I just wanted to know if I had screwed up somewhere. I'm working on a fix. I'll let you know how I get on.

Just finished the build and I am now doing a bit of tweaking and applying some lube (Super Lube) I must say I did enjoy building this model. I have been involved with Techic since the '80s, but I still found it quite challenging for my old hands. Everything seems to be working well except for the tracks. I find that the movement over the tracks is lumpy and even on a smooth non-slip surface, the model does not travel smoothly but jerks along. I checked the chassis build twice and all seems to be as per the instructions. Could it be the track is too tight? Thanks for any suggestions.