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In lugnet.robotics, sjbaker1@airmail.net writes:
> Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> >
> > In lugnet.robotics, sjbaker1@airmail.net writes:
> > > I got my son a Lego Train set for Xmas - and have been trying to figure out
> > > how to build a Mindstorms robot to run on Lego train track.
> > >
> > > * The Train motor isn't much use since it picks it's power (and hence
> > > speed and direction) from the track.
> > > * The other wheels that come with the train have non-Technics axles so you
> > > can't power them from a Mindstorms motor.
> > > * I can't find any other Lego wheels that will run on the train track without
> > > derailing at the drop of a hat.
> > >
> > > Someone must have solved this...but how?
> >
> > This is a recurring topic in .trains and the consensus seems to be that a
> > mobile RCX brick requires either that it is battery powered (not great for
> > battery life), or that you do surgery on the motor. The surgery that needs
> > to be done is well documented (it's very similar to what you need to do to
> > install DCC inside a motor).
>
> I don't mind that the RCX is battery powered - I want to make a robot that
> happens to run on rails rather than some long running train that happens
> to have an RCX onboard.
No problem, then. (that wasn't what you asked at first, you complained that
the train motor took power from the track...) In that case just put *no*
power on the rails (that is, run on some track not connected to any power)
and feed one of the RCX motor control wires to the contact on top the motor
unit. It's wired to the motor and the rails all in parallel.
Unfortunately this means you can only have one robot per electrically
connected section of track, as the power is flowing out the motor unit's
wheels and onto the rails.
++Lar
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Mindstorms on RailRoad?
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| In lugnet.robotics, Larry Pieniazek writes: <snip> (...) Why not use the old 4.5volt rails? (Presuming Steve has or can get some...) Or, as for driving it, could the setup from the 4533 'track snow remover' (URL) used by driving the middle axle? I (...) (23 years ago, 27-Dec-01, to lugnet.robotics, lugnet.trains)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Mindstorms on RailRoad?
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| (...) I don't mind that the RCX is battery powered - I want to make a robot that happens to run on rails rather than some long running train that happens to have an RCX onboard. I don't really want to use the train motor at all (modified or not). (...) (23 years ago, 27-Dec-01, to lugnet.robotics)
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