These LEGO parts, or a kit that has them (motors and remotes)

• 

  iTzM3 on 01/09/2020 - 09:46

  Try BrickLink, you’ll get these parts a fair bit cheaper. You could even buy some on there in used condition for a decent discount.

  • 

    AustriaBargain on 01/09/2020 - 09:49

    There's only one person in Australia selling the XL motor on Bricklink, and they are charging more than Lego charge for a brand new one.

• 

  silverrat23 on 01/09/2020 - 09:48

  The “Power Functions” system (the ones you linked) are outdated and no longer supported going forwards.

  The “Powered Up” system included in the Batmobile does include more intricate controls than the former, but it requires some coding skills with the app.

  If you must buy the motors, stick with the Batmobile set. Given the prices however, it’ll be better to buy a dedicated Lazy Susan.

  • 

    AustriaBargain on 01/09/2020 - 09:50

    Couldn't I just use the batmobile control app? Or doesn't it let you just set a speed and keep going at that speed.

    You're probably right, it'd be cheaper to get a dedicated one that probably has more speed controls and can take more weight.

    • 

      silverrat23 on 01/09/2020 - 09:59

      The powered up app is a catch-all app for all sets that use the same battery box/ hub (including the Batmobile and trains).

      The Batmobile controller has two sliders for both sides of the vehicle, but you can’t lock it in place - unless you’re keen on holding your finger for 2 minutes straight.

      • 

        AustriaBargain on 01/09/2020 - 10:00

        If you can't set and maintain a speed then it sounds worse than the old way of doing things. The old one had 7 different speeds.

        • 

          silverrat23 on 01/09/2020 - 10:09

          @AustriaBargain: That’s because the Batmobile set was only intended to be used as a car, not to lock speeds in.

          An alternative is to use a train motor instead of the one included in the Batmobile. That has incremental speeds that can be locked until turned off.

          The Power Functions remote you linked is specifically a train controller, separate to the now-retired car controller. The Powered Up system does emphasise on an app to replace all types of controllers.

        • 

          aeon on 01/09/2020 - 11:10

          @AustriaBargain: Using the coding part of the same app, you can specify how much power and for how long with the Powered App components. I have done this myself using the parts from the Batmobile.

          • 

            AustriaBargain on 01/09/2020 - 11:16

            @aeon: I suppose I could figure it out if all you need is a phone and add the code to the app. Are the bat mobile motors strong enough to turn a lazy Susan with a few kg on it? The XL motor could turn it with a big thing of water on it in the project.

            I see the batmobile comes with two medium motors. Maybe I could design my own frame to hold two rubber wheels against the edge of a lazy susan. I have more than enough of every other brick, I just have no motors. 10 different speed levels with the app sounds good, and if I disable one motor then it'd actually give me 20 different speed levels. Which even the $100 automated lazy susans don't offer.

            • 

              aeon on 01/09/2020 - 15:09

              @AustriaBargain:

              all you need is a phone and add the code to the app

              Yeah it's not text based code, it's using visual elements to do the coding for you. Depending on your background it may or not make much sense!

              There's some screenshots of the programming environment here:

              https://ramblingbrick.com/2019/04/16/the-powered-up-app-rece…

              • 

                AustriaBargain on 01/09/2020 - 15:22

                @aeon: I’m sure I can figure it out. Those screenshots make it look like a game more than code.

• 

  spinferno on 01/09/2020 - 17:48

  even better, just get a cheap set of motors, and instead of relying on the scarce expensive speed controller, just hook up your poewr functions to "The Brick Automation Project" which provides a PC compatible interface that can control the speed of your power functions instead :)
  It's what advanved PF lego train sets us for complex orchestration.

  • 

    AustriaBargain on 02/09/2020 - 00:21

    I'd like the setup to be mobile if possible. My cameras and lights are portable. It would be nice to use the older PF XL motor though, it is cheaper than the new one.

• 

  ihbh on 14/12/2022 - 22:28

  How did you go with this? The Lego route?

  A used 42095 set would give you the required motors and IR. It obviously depends on what you can get it for.