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> Well, this is something of a blow to the LTC's doing shows. If the decision has
> been made to discontinue the line and work on a replacment, let us be proactive,
> and indicate the positives of the 9V system that should be worked into a new
> product. I'll start:
>
> Key needs for a new LEGO Train system:
>
> -High torque with an ability to pull long/heavy loads.
> -Ability to run long distances without significant power loss
> (This should be a key factor for any LTC's that do a lot of shows)
>
> -Perhaps work an ability to build a semi-DCC control into the new train line,
> allowing a train to slow around corners and work higher speed on straightaways.
>
> Please feel free to add FORWARD THINKING comments and ideas here. Let's not
> bash the decision, but do what we can to work a viable replacment...
>
> Scott
Let see key needs for a new system. The ability to plug it in. No seriously,
they should use the new wireless power transfer technology that is starting to
get some serious attention in Popular Mechanics and other such publications.
Frankly if the system relies on batteries its already sunk for most AFOL train
show purposes. Wireless power however could do some seriously wonderful things.
Of course I can't imagine how bleeding edge technology would be cheaper than
maintaining the 9v standard so were back to batteries. Ugh.
I find the whole thing rather disgusting as I was just informing a co-worker
about Lego trains. He has a 4 year old and wants to get a starter train that he
can expand and grow with his kid. I told him Lego makes trains and he told me
he wants a "real train" not a battery powered one. I told him about the 9v
Holiday Train and Lego Factory and he was seriously considering going that
route. (he really liked the complete customization Lego offers) Now I have to
go tell him tomorrow to ignore my recommendation because the Lego company is
discontinuning their electric trains. Flipping lovely.
-Mike Petrucelli
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In lugnet.lego, Mike Petrucelli wrote:
> Let see key needs for a new system. The ability to plug it in. No seriously,
> they should use the new wireless power transfer technology that is starting to
> get some serious attention in Popular Mechanics and other such publications.
> Frankly if the system relies on batteries its already sunk for most AFOL train
> show purposes. Wireless power however could do some seriously wonderful things.
> Of course I can't imagine how bleeding edge technology would be cheaper than
> maintaining the 9v standard so were back to batteries. Ugh.
> -Mike Petrucelli
Mike,
Excellent idea! I have read similar stories in tech magazines about how we might
never need to plug a cell phone in to power again. Laying it on the surface of
counter top with the power sending device mounted inside or underneath could
charge a phone.
I doubt that LEGO has that in the works for 2009, but that woul make an
excellent modification.
For those that do not know, the technology uses radiowaves transmitted to an
internal component in the receiver. The oscillation set up by the receiver is
able to charge an internal battery. I wonder what the lab benches have discerned
about longevity and recharge requirements. A motor seems like it would need a
lot more power than a cell phone though.
Todd
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In lugnet.lego, Todd Thuma wrote:
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In lugnet.lego, Mike Petrucelli wrote:
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Let see key needs for a new system. The ability to plug it in. No
seriously, they should use the new wireless power transfer technology that is
starting to get some serious attention in Popular Mechanics and other such
publications. Frankly if the system relies on batteries its already sunk for
most AFOL train show purposes. Wireless power however could do some
seriously wonderful things. Of course I can’t imagine how bleeding edge
technology would be cheaper than maintaining the 9v standard so were back to
batteries. Ugh.
-Mike Petrucelli
|
Mike,
Excellent idea! I have read similar stories in tech magazines about how we
might never need to plug a cell phone in to power again. Laying it on the
surface of counter top with the power sending device mounted inside or
underneath could charge a phone.
I doubt that LEGO has that in the works for 2009, but that woul make an
excellent modification.
For those that do not know, the technology uses radiowaves transmitted to an
internal component in the receiver. The oscillation set up by the receiver is
able to charge an internal battery. I wonder what the lab benches have
discerned about longevity and recharge requirements. A motor seems like it
would need a lot more power than a cell phone though.
Todd
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Well the versions I have seen most recently are directly powering lamps and
light fixtures and such. I don’t know if that would be enough for a train
motor. I doubt LEGO has that in the works too, but it would be nice. Reliance
on batteries is a serious negative aspect to me.
-Mike Petrucelli
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