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Calling all EE's, robotics nuts, technic gurus, PF fanatics, and electronics
geniuses...
So by using the PF to 9V connector wire, I can run a PF motor using the 9V Train
regulator. This is all wonderful...until I try to put an IR receiver between
them. When I do that, it doesn't work. Can anyone explain why this doesn't
work? I still have 9V going from the controller (it's turned all the way up) to
the IR receiver and then the motor connected to the IR receiver. In theory...it
should work. So...EE's and other electronics gurus...what am I missing? Is
there a workaround?
For those wondering, I am in the process of motorizing all of my switches on my
layout using PF motors and IR receivers. However, I would like to run them all
off of one or two Train controllers to eliminate the 'battery issue'.
Thanks in advance for any help.
-Dave
ToT-LUG
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> So by using the PF to 9V connector wire, I can run a PF motor using the 9V
> Train
> regulator. This is all wonderful...until I try to put an IR receiver
> between
> them. When I do that, it doesn't work. Can anyone explain why this
> doesn't
> work? I still have 9V going from the controller (it's turned all the way
> up) to
> the IR receiver and then the motor connected to the IR receiver. In
> theory...it
> should work. So...EE's and other electronics gurus...what am I missing?
> Is
> there a workaround?
The receiver works on the outer most two contacts of the PF cable, and the
"legacy 9v" run on the inner most two wires.
Basically, outer wires for the power bus for controllers, and inner two
wires for load items such as lights and batteries.
Everything you ever wanted to know about LPF but were afraid to ask:
http://www.philohome.com/pf/pf.htm
(Thanks Philo!)
-Rob
www.lifelties.com
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> Everything you ever wanted to know about LPF but were afraid to ask:
> http://www.philohome.com/pf/pf.htm
>
> (Thanks Philo!)
;o)
Rob explained the problem you encounter - there is nonetheless a workaround
using only LEGO components, explained here
http://freelug.fr/article.php3?id_article=813. Sorry, it's in French, you'll
have to use a web translator.
A big warning: using this setup, it is possible to power the PFS system
backwards. To make it safe, just connect the empty battery block to the train
transformer and set it to on position (battery switch direction doesn't matter).
Now power the train controller. The green led of the battery pack will glow if
the 9V connector is properly connected and train dial is turned in the right
direction. You can then safely connect the IR receiver.
That said, since the train controller is over current protected and since there
is a diode in the battery pack, (see schematics here
http://philohome.com/alimservo/schema.gif). you should not burn anything if the
train controller is backwards for a limited time period.
Philo
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In lugnet.technic, Dave Sterling wrote:
> Calling all EE's, robotics nuts, technic gurus, PF fanatics, and electronics
> geniuses...
>
> So by using the PF to 9V connector wire, I can run a PF motor using the 9V Train
> regulator. This is all wonderful...until I try to put an IR receiver between
> them. When I do that, it doesn't work. Can anyone explain why this doesn't
> work? I still have 9V going from the controller (it's turned all the way up) to
> the IR receiver and then the motor connected to the IR receiver. In theory...it
> should work. So...EE's and other electronics gurus...what am I missing? Is
> there a workaround?
>
> For those wondering, I am in the process of motorizing all of my switches on my
> layout using PF motors and IR receivers. However, I would like to run them all
> off of one or two Train controllers to eliminate the 'battery issue'.
>
> Thanks in advance for any help.
>
> -Dave
> ToT-LUG
Hi Dave,
What you're missing is that the IR Receiver requires a specific PF input.. if
you ask me that was a small oversight on the part of LEGO as far as backwards
compatibility is concerned, but there is a relatively easy workaround. You can
find it in an article posted at FreeLUG:
http://www.freelug.org/article.php3?id_article=813
The article is in French, but the pictures are self explanatory. Basically it
comes down to putting an empty PF battery box between the Train COntroller and
the IR Receiver (and switch it on!).
Jetro
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In lugnet.technic, Dave Sterling wrote:
> Calling all EE's, robotics nuts, technic gurus, PF fanatics, and electronics
> geniuses...
>
> So by using the PF to 9V connector wire, I can run a PF motor using the 9V Train
> regulator. This is all wonderful...until I try to put an IR receiver between
> them. When I do that, it doesn't work. Can anyone explain why this doesn't
> work? I still have 9V going from the controller (it's turned all the way up) to
> the IR receiver and then the motor connected to the IR receiver. In theory...it
> should work. So...EE's and other electronics gurus...what am I missing? Is
> there a workaround?
>
> For those wondering, I am in the process of motorizing all of my switches on my
> layout using PF motors and IR receivers. However, I would like to run them all
> off of one or two Train controllers to eliminate the 'battery issue'.
>
> Thanks in advance for any help.
>
> -Dave
> ToT-LUG
Sheer awesomeness! I knew I could count on your guys for the answer and the
workaround. Though it's not ideal to have to use the battery box, it's
nonetheless a great workaround. Maybe LEGO will release a V2.0 connector that
allows us to eliminate the battery box. We can dream, right?
I'll give this a go tonight when I get home from work and see how things go.
Thanks again to everyone for the great links and the quick responses.
-Dave
ToT-LUG
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