My Lego Radio Control System
These are the elements of my Radio Control Lego System. It is a mixture of actual Lego bricks and other
parts along with Futaba Radio Control gear.
Transmitter
IMAGE
- This is a Futaba 2-channel Magnum Sport Transmitter. Both
channels may control servos or speed controls, but in the case of the LegoRC system, they will both control servos. One of the servos is used as a steering servo while another servo is placed on top of the Lego 9 Volt Power Pack to control the large Lego
9 Volt Motors. With the adjustments on
the transmitter, the throw of this "throttle" servo can be adjusted to hit both forward and reverse buttons on
the power pack.
Receiver
IMAGE
- This is the typical Futaba 2-channel receiver, working on the same frequency as the Transmitter. It has soft Velcro attached on its underside to mate with hard Velcro on a 4x6 Lego Flat. This is then modular with my other Radio Controlled models so I may use this receiver for a car, boat, hovercraft, plane, etc. The Battery Pack for the Receiver has similar Velcro attachment.
Servo (Steering)
IMAGE (Bottom) . .
IMAGE (Top) This is a modified Futaba (normal size) servo. The main
drive spur (to which levers are usually attached in RC applications) has been cut off to connect to a Lego
Axle. This is a 2-unit-long Lego Axle which has been cut to be just over
1-unit-long. It was then attached to
the main drive gear by use of cyanoacrylate (Super) glue. This is a very tricky procedure which I
haven't mastered. I was lucky enough to have one servo turn out on the first try. Another servo has been
attempted about 6 times. I would be happy to hear some input on some better attachment options.
E-Mail Me!!
( clampe@mednet.swmed.edu )
The servo is also cyanoacrylate (super) glued to several flat Lego bricks.
This enables its attachment to the
model in a rigid fashion. It should be noted that before glue is applied in all cases, the Lego bricks were
sanded with rough sandpaper and given a quick wipe with rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol to clean the surface.
This creates a nice, solid connection between the servo plastic and the Lego Bricks. I have had no trouble with this connection on any of the RC elements.
Servo (Power)
IMAGE (Servo) . .
IMAGE2 (Servo Arm Top) . .
IMAGE3 (Servo Arm Bottom)
- The Power Control Servo is a smaller, unmodified servo with slightly less torque
and speed than a regular servo. Since this servo only needs to push the Lego 9
Volt Power Pack buttons, this does not cause a problem. This servo has been
fastened to the top of the Lego 9 Volt Power Pack with several rubber bands, and
the servo horn was (cyanoacrylate / super) glued to a 1x4 flat brick to better
enable it to push the motor control buttons.
Battery Pack
IMAGE - This Battery pack, providing 6 Volts of AA power, is used
to power the Futaba receiver and servos. It has soft Velcro attached on its underside to mate with the hard
Velcro on a 4x6 Flat Lego Plate (similar to Receiver mounting). This is also modular with my other Radio
Controlled Models. I have thought of trying to take this 6 Volts of power directly
from the Lego 9 Volt Power Pack, but I am no electronics wizard, and something
tells me I would start a fire... Any suggestions??
E-Mail Me!!
( clampe@mednet.swmed.edu )
Lego 9 Volt Power Pack
- This is the Lego 9 Volt Power Pack designed to power large Lego 9 Volt Motors.
A Lego 9 Volt Lighting Power Pack which contains a single 9 Volt battery has been
used unsuccessfully with these motors. The motors will run for a short while, but
the power drain of the motors proves to be too much for the 9 Volt battery to
handle. This Lego 9 Volt Lighting Power Pack is (as the name implies) more suited
to lighting Radio Control (or other models) if desired.
Take a look at my 1st Lego R C Model:
Lego R C Car .
Some ideas for my 2nd Lego R C Model:
The Tank
Lego, Technic are registered trademarks of InterLEGO(TM).
Futaba is a registered trademark of Futaba Electronics.
Send
E-Mail to the Greek!!
( clampe@mednet.swmed.edu )
Back to RC Hobbies . .
. . Back to Lego Projects
Copyright Information
by Craig A. Lampe
as of November 28, 1996
revised: January 20, 1997
IMAGE
- This is a Futaba 2-channel Magnum Sport Transmitter. Both
channels may control servos or speed controls, but in the case of the LegoRC system, they will both control servos. One of the servos is used as a steering servo while another servo is placed on top of the Lego 9 Volt Power Pack to control the large Lego
9 Volt Motors. With the adjustments on
the transmitter, the throw of this "throttle" servo can be adjusted to hit both forward and reverse buttons on
the power pack.
IMAGE
- This is the typical Futaba 2-channel receiver, working on the same frequency as the Transmitter. It has soft Velcro attached on its underside to mate with hard Velcro on a 4x6 Lego Flat. This is then modular with my other Radio Controlled models so I may use this receiver for a car, boat, hovercraft, plane, etc. The Battery Pack for the Receiver has similar Velcro attachment.
IMAGE (Bottom) . .
IMAGE (Top) This is a modified Futaba (normal size) servo. The main
drive spur (to which levers are usually attached in RC applications) has been cut off to connect to a Lego
Axle. This is a 2-unit-long Lego Axle which has been cut to be just over
1-unit-long. It was then attached to
the main drive gear by use of cyanoacrylate (Super) glue. This is a very tricky procedure which I
haven't mastered. I was lucky enough to have one servo turn out on the first try. Another servo has been
attempted about 6 times. I would be happy to hear some input on some better attachment options.
IMAGE (Servo) . .
IMAGE2 (Servo Arm Top) . .
IMAGE3 (Servo Arm Bottom)
- The Power Control Servo is a smaller, unmodified servo with slightly less torque
and speed than a regular servo. Since this servo only needs to push the Lego 9
Volt Power Pack buttons, this does not cause a problem. This servo has been
fastened to the top of the Lego 9 Volt Power Pack with several rubber bands, and
the servo horn was (cyanoacrylate / super) glued to a 1x4 flat brick to better
enable it to push the motor control buttons.
IMAGE - This Battery pack, providing 6 Volts of AA power, is used
to power the Futaba receiver and servos. It has soft Velcro attached on its underside to mate with the hard
Velcro on a 4x6 Flat Lego Plate (similar to Receiver mounting). This is also modular with my other Radio
Controlled Models. I have thought of trying to take this 6 Volts of power directly
from the Lego 9 Volt Power Pack, but I am no electronics wizard, and something
tells me I would start a fire... Any suggestions??
E-Mail Me!!
( clampe@mednet.swmed.edu )