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 Robotics / RCX / 1597
  Power to RCX
 
Hi all, I just got my new RIS Ver.#2, and I am far from being an electronic expert. I am wondering if a proper wall tranformer with an adapter inside the RCX to connect to the battery terminals would work for stationary application. Of course, I do (...) (23 years ago, 1-Feb-02, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)
 
  Re: Power to RCX
 
Most "wall wart" transformers give about 3-5 volts above what is marked on them. I would not use one of these directly. However, I am currently working on using a 7809 voltage regulator. If you don't know, a voltage regulator is a small electronic (...) (23 years ago, 1-Feb-02, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)
 
  Re: Power to RCX
 
Hi Trevyn, From the photo you posted, it appears that you have the input and output pins of the 7805 reversed. According to the datasheet, this will probably fry the regulator. I'd recommend getting a new part before continuing, so as not to risk (...) (23 years ago, 2-Feb-02, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)
 
  Re: Power to RCX
 
(...) Oops, me bad, I meant 7809. BTW, here are some links to online data sheets for that type of regulator: (URL) (23 years ago, 2-Feb-02, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)
 
  Re: Power to RCX
 
I investigated this issue a while back an have taken apart all four of my RCX's (1.0 w. adapter, 1.0 w/o adapter, and 2 2.0's from an RIS1.5 and and RIS2.0). They all have internal voltage regulators. I've written the number down somewhere on this (...) (23 years ago, 2-Feb-02, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)
 
  Re: Power to RCX
 
"Matthias Jetleb" <Jetleb@Netcom.ca> wrote in message news:3c5b6892.134862...net.com... [snip] (...) Check out this timely post: (URL) this is indeed the same part, then it looks like 12V is the max. (Figure 1 of the datasheet is a little confusing, (...) (23 years ago, 2-Feb-02, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)
 
  Re: Power to RCX
 
Regarding the data sheet for the Melexis MLX1040B that everyone is talking about, and which I've been looking for for years.... This link: (...) (URL) comes back as NOT FOUND The fact that some people are claiming to have seen it implies that it was (...) (23 years ago, 3-Feb-02, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)
 
  Re: Power to RCX
 
Success! It works now, and gives 9.2 volts according to the RIS software. You were right, I did have it backwards. Thanks. (...) (23 years ago, 5-Feb-02, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)
 
  Re: Power to RCX
 
(...) Sorry, I am little confused. Does it mean that everything LEGO did was REMOVING DC adaptor hole to make difference between 1.0 and 1.5 version ? (talking about RCX hardware) and therefore i can connect my wall AC/DC adaptor directly to that (...) (23 years ago, 11-Feb-02, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)
 
  Re: Power to RCX
 
There is a difference between a voltage regulator (which limits the maximum voltage applied to a circuit) and a rectifier (which turns AC into pulsed DC - to be smothed out by a capacitor - it also ensures that you can't connect a DC power source (...) (23 years ago, 12-Feb-02, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)
 
  Re: Power to RCX
 
(...) Putting a regulator in front of the motor controllers would be utter nonsense IMHO. (...) Plus the data sheet of the motor controllers. Jürgen (23 years ago, 13-Feb-02, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)
 
  Re: Power to RCX
 
(...) Yeah!!! That's exactly what I wanted to know! (Aka "How to connect RCX for dummies" (that's what I am - electronics isn't hobby of mine) Thanks a lot! Have a nice day Rob (23 years ago, 13-Feb-02, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)
 
  Re: Power to RCX
 
(...) Utter nonsense until you destroy the controller itself. Remember, while the Lego motors can take a fairly substantial voltage without being destroyed, the same is not true of the motor controller within the RCX. There is a voltage limit for (...) (23 years ago, 14-Feb-02, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)
 
  Re: Power to RCX
 
(...) Yes, but any regulator would convert power uselessly into heat, probably too much if you use a much higher voltage and draw some current. It would be better to use higher voltage motor controllers directly (if they exist). And of course this (...) (23 years ago, 14-Feb-02, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)
 
  Re: Power to RCX
 
Hi every one, Thanks for all your help on my previous inquiery. My other idea is, to power my newly acquired Scout with a Solar panel. The Solar panel (car battery saver) is 12V at ~70mA; which I intend to connect a Voltage converter (ready made (...) (23 years ago, 27-Feb-02, to lugnet.robotics.rcx)

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