Wrong remote control unit?

monkeyhanger

Hi Everyone,

Recently bought the Technic Rally Car #42077 and some power functions bits with the intention of motorising it and think i've bought the wrong remote control - #8879. Is that unit only meant for trains, not proving any real directional control like left/right/forward/reverse, just doing speed control on a set direction? If so, then I'll need #8885? I have an IR receiver unit.

SprinkleOtter

Yeah, the speed controller isn't much use for any RC except trains. It'd be like trying to use a steering wheel for a gas petal.

monkeyhanger

Thanks Sprinkleotter! Thought tgat would be the case. Serves me right for ordering 26 hours without sleep (following my Mexico holiday. Will have to get it sent back as I have no use for it.

datsunrobbie

You might want to hang on to that remote. There's many videos on You Tube where folks have strapped those two remotes together, using #8879 for speed and #8885 for steering.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWtdYwbl9oA
shows the dual remote at 25 seconds in

monkeyhanger

Would that remote combo require each remote on a different wavelength and 2 IR receivers?

nexander

That's the one I use, it gives nice stepped control over speed and steering when combined a servo.  Having the cut offs mean you can recentre the steering easily and stop suddenly if need be.

Adding on a bar to turn (or something similar) helps

datsunrobbie

monkeyhanger said:

Would that remote combo require each remote on a different wavelength and 2 IR receivers?

Yes, there would have to be two IR receivers, one for each remote.

SprinkleOtter

monkeyhanger said:

Would that remote combo require each remote on a different wavelength and 2 IR receivers?

No, just the one receiver. You would have one half of the receiver power the drive, the other the steering.

datsunrobbie

^I stand corrected. I had no idea you could actually use one IR receiver to control two motors.

monkeyhanger

I didn't think you'd be able to pick up the output from 2 different remotes on the same wavelength setting (both on the same 1-4 selection) onto the one IR received. Knowing that you can makes things much easier.

Paperballpark

Yes you can. Have both on the same channel, but use one controller for the blue side and the other for the red side. Bear in mind that both will be able to control both red and blue though, so you'll have to find a way to block the controls.