Rain stopped play!

With the main build completed but still awaiting a few bits i thought i would give it a go. Sadly, it started to rain, typical U.K weather! At the moment have 3 XL running off two AAA battery cases - awaiting the third to even things out.

All in all wasn't too bad whilst it lasted.

Poor but helpful camera work from my wife!

Testing!

At the weekend i finished the main test chassis and frame as well as the new wheel design. I have opted to use XL PF motors in place of the servo motors for ease.

I am going to use 6XL to drive and 4M PF motors to activate steering.

An initial drive proved successful although I had to go back to the drawing board with regards to the steering.



Still need some more PF extension wires to fully test the steering but they should arrive soon!

I'll post a vid of the rover in my garden weather permitting!

Workspace nearly up and running!

Finally managed to unpack most stuff - little organisation left to complete before building starts.

Updates Coming Soon!

After a life time out, a house move and some other things the build is back on. Took me a while to pick up again and i quickly realised that i hadn't got all the required parts.

Parts on order - 2x new rechargeable packs, x8 newer turntables and other various Lego parts.

Should have my build space up and running soon. In the meantime, I'll be updating the blog with recent updates including new rotation sensors out, new solar pack kit and hopefully other interesting bits and bobs!

New Rover Design

After a frustrating build, i went back to the drawing board. It took me a while to dismantle my Rover and whilst doing so i realised how poor it really was - too heavy, too flexible etc.

I began drawing new designs and came up with a simple one based on two new Lego parts i received in the Technic Lego Crane Truck.

Still working on it but alot quicker this time. Still short on some parts e.g. turntables, 64178 & 64179 but i'll get these soon.

Update - page reload after deletion!

So, part way through the design i decided to test all the motors, turning circle etc.


These tests were very useful and a little disappointing. I've had to re-enforce the chassis and add a new linkage bar between the front wheels.


I'm currently testing the pf turning motors which are working well. Programming using the RXmux is causing a few issues but i hope that is temporary. The servo's appear to work well but once again programming speed and position isnt as i had hoped for.

Anyway, havent posted for a while so I thought i would add some partial pictures whilst i was testing.

Still to complete, robotic arm, robotic neck (fixing only), integrate RCX and add lego solar panels. I think looks wise this will probably be very good but in practice i have alot of work to do.

I'm think i'm going to have to buy the Tetrix set for the main chassis. But this is very expensive and not available in the U.K.

Let me know what you think! And if you have any experience with the RXMux or NXTServo please contact me!

RXMUX

With the help of mindsensors we have discovered that the problems I have been experiencing are with the type of RCX Rotation sensor I have built in my rover.

I have different kind of sensor which is not compatible therefore will have to purchase 3 more! Not exactly convenient but no choice really.

Havent been able to commit much time to the build but have put some time away for next week.

New Set 8184 - Twin X-treme RC

Whilst shopping recently I saw a new set with an unusual part. The part was essentially 2 motors in one with a receiver. The motors were controlled by a Pf remote control. One motor was a regular motor and the other was used as a turning unit.

I think it would be possible to use the main motor to act as a pump whilst the other was used to active a pneumatic switch. Combined with the NXT and IRLink sensor this could be very useful!

PF Extension Wire 20" 50Cm's

Although this cable is available in the U.S, the U.K it seems will have to wait! Not many for those who need this item as even Bricklink is in short supply.

If anyone knows where to buy them at a reasonable price, please let me know!

Need a Part?

I'm no stranger to Bricklink but usually I just order replacements parts as when I know I'm running low. Just recently though I was stuck when constructing and thought it would be great if a certain lego part existed.

An hour later after using Peeron and bricklink I secured quite a few unique parts. They're all lego just not from technic or mindstorms sets and very, very useful.





A good tip, if you're stuck don't always think of re-doing something as chances are a part does exist that can help!

Anyone else have any luck or interesting parts?