So I just noticed this new forum and was a bit surprised. Previously when I've posted on the site about LEGO robotics, my posts had the name "LEGO" edited into "Evil Brick Company." Is the change of heart due to a newly found love of the NXT robotics system?
I've done a little hardware adjustments on a LEGO NXT battery box, in order to use 1.2 volt hybrid (stay charged) rechargable batteries with these. If there's interest, I'll post my how-to PDF on the subject.
Hah! Made the post and a devil headed version of a mini figure head showed up instead of the name L-E-G-O. LEGO, LEGO, LEGO!
The "Evil Block Company" thing went a bit farther than I intended. We start mocking the LEGO Group in 1999, and then BAM - within four years, the company is on the verge of liquidation. It's time to let bygones be bygones. I've turned off the Evil Block Company filter.
For the record, it is purely coincidental that I just dug out my old LEGO Robotics kits and want to talk about them.
Hi Tom. Thanks for the explanation. When referring to your "old LEGO Robotics kits," are you meaning the NXT Brick based ones, or the previous generation? If NXT, what is your area of interest with them?
I'm mean the really old stuff.
I have a lot of the old 4.5v equipment and a little bit of 9V (plus two 9V trains). I don't have any Mindstorms yet, but I'm thinking about getting an EV3 later this year. I'd love to see your batter box mod.
Okay. I just uploaded the PDF of the the How-To for this hack:
LEGO NXT Battery Box Hack
The picture is of the finished product. (The PDF link is under the picture). It lets a user use standard 1.2v rechargeable NiM or my favorite 1.2v StayCharged/hybrid rechargeable batteries with a LEGO NXT Brick at full power. This is NOT to be used with standard batteries at the risk of blowing out your NXT Brick.
Share and enjoy!
P.S. I haven't done Hack#2 in the instructions, but may, and if so I'll update the PDF.