Is there an easy way to connect M5Stack or M5Stick-C to old Lego Mindstorms Motors and Sensors (Robotic Invention)
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I have a bunch of Lego MindStorms collections, more specific, Robotics Inventions. They are old but I love them very much. With the obsolete platform for programming the RCX2, I am thinking about (1) replacing the RCX with an M5Stack module and (2) about possible ways to connect the Lego Motors and Sensors to an M5Stack module. Of course, there two challenges to be done, (1) the hardware interfacing and (2) the software aspect. I think I can/may give up with the Lego Sensors since many cheap and more advanced M5 sensors are now available and can be connected readily to the M5Stack module. So the final challenge is the hardware interface from M5Stack/Stick to a DC (6V) Lego Motor. I do not want to reinvent the wheel; if somebody has already invented or created them please let me know. Other ideas and comments are welcomed.
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With a few components and some soldering, it is possible however with the new module we can now use nxt to RIS adapters that have been available for a while.
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@ajb2k3 said in Is there an easy way to connect M5Stack or M5Stick-C to old Lego Mindstorms Motors and Sensors (Robotic Invention):
With a few components and some soldering, it is possible however with the new module we can now use nxt to RIS adapters that have been available for a while.
Thanks for the response. Could you please elaborate more on the "new module". What is that? I have no Lego NXT with me.
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This is the new NXT module for the M5Stack
https://m5stack.com/collections/all/products/basex?ref=pfpqkvphmgr
It comes With NXT sockets which means you can use these adapters for RIS motors.
link text
UIFlow, so easy an adult can learn it!
If I don't know it, be patient!
I've ether not learned it or am too drunk to remember it!
Author of the WIP UIFlow Handbook!
M5Black, Go, Stick, Core2, and so much more it cant be fit in here! -
There I was not fast enough @ajb2k3.
@ liemph,
and here how you finish the cables : http://www.philohome.com/nxtcables/nxtcable.htm
Ready to buy there were also times from the company: https://www.generationrobots.com/de/157-lego-mindstormsCause I got a couple more ready to go here. But I'll keep them, of course. Since I also have RTX, NXT and EV3 here without end.
I am involved in everything that has to do with automation, including the M5Stack's, a few 3D printers, a CNC mill and a lot of other things. The M5Stack's are all really great, I can't imagine a better prototyping.
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@skink said in Is there an easy way to connect M5Stack or M5Stick-C to old Lego Mindstorms Motors and Sensors (Robotic Invention):
There I was not fast enough @ajb2k3.
Finished work early :P
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@ajb2k3 said in Is there an easy way to connect M5Stack or M5Stick-C to old Lego Mindstorms Motors and Sensors (Robotic Invention):
This is the new NXT module for the M5Stack
https://m5stack.com/collections/all/products/basex?ref=pfpqkvphmgr
It comes With NXT sockets which means you can use these adapters for RIS motors.
link text
Thanks. This is a good solution.
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@skink said in Is there an easy way to connect M5Stack or M5Stick-C to old Lego Mindstorms Motors and Sensors (Robotic Invention):
There I was not fast enough @ajb2k3.
@ liemph,
and here how you finish the cables : http://www.philohome.com/nxtcables/nxtcable.htm
Ready to buy there were also times from the company: https://www.generationrobots.com/de/157-lego-mindstormsCause I got a couple more ready to go here. But I'll keep them, of course. Since I also have RTX, NXT and EV3 here without end.
Ok, those URLs are helpful. Thanks.
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here are some more interesting pages about the RCX.
Maybe very interesting for you if you still have so many RCX parts.greetings skink
P.S. I'm waiting for two of the X-Base units, they're already on their way to my place
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@skink said in Is there an easy way to connect M5Stack or M5Stick-C to old Lego Mindstorms Motors and Sensors (Robotic Invention):
here are some more interesting pages about the RCX.
Maybe very interesting for you if you still have so many RCX parts.greetings skink
P.S. I'm waiting for two of the X-Base units, they're already on their way to my place
Thank you. For long I have followed the first two links. The third is new to me. Please let me know your impression on the Base X. If I have an NXT Lego then I will certainly by the base.
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No need to thank me, of course I will get in touch with you as soon as I have received them !
And tell you what my impression of the X-Base is. -
I had ordered the BaseX on 13 December 2019.
Today finally on 21.01.2020 they arrived at my place.
They are working very well, I will test them during the next days and make a little video!Greeting Skink
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@skink said in Is there an easy way to connect M5Stack or M5Stick-C to old Lego Mindstorms Motors and Sensors (Robotic Invention):
I had ordered the BaseX on 13 December 2019.
Today finally on 21.01.2020 they arrived at my place.
They are working very well, I will test them during the next days and make a little video!Greeting Skink
Happy Testing !!!
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I will test it at the weekend but for you @liemph I will test it with the adapters and the old Lego motors !
i Get touch as soon as I have tested it, it will only take a little while until Saturday before I can start !!
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@liemph ,
Hello,
As you can see, you can connect all RCX engines and also the power engines to the BaseX and of course the old engines of the NXT as well as the EV3. For the power motors there are also adapters to connect them to the X-Base.
The X-Base can control both the direction of rotation and the speed of the motors.
For sensors you would have to use the M5Stack connectors, which are available!I hope the test helped you !
Here the link to the video : "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm5Hdaia7po"
greetings skink
I am involved in everything that has to do with automation, including the M5Stack's, a few 3D printers, a CNC mill and a lot of other things. The M5Stack's are all really great, I can't imagine a better prototyping.
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@liemph ,
With this adapter and the adapter from power motors to the old ones you can also make NXT or EV3 motors from the old motors which you can drive exactly on angle ! (http://www.mindsensors.com/ev3-and-nxt/19-glidewheel-pf-and-rcx-motor-controller-for-nxt-or-ev3-)greetings skink
Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1jNzYjn_bc&feature=youtu.be)
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You will need the following cables :
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this one from NXT/EV3 to PF Power motor connector
(https://www.generationrobots.com/de/401189-cable-nxt-to-pf.html) -
this one from PF Power Motor Connection to the old motors
(https://www.robot-advance.com/EN/art-extension-wire-8-20-cm-lego-power-functions-8886-en-777.htm)
Greeting skink
I am involved in everything that has to do with automation, including the M5Stack's, a few 3D printers, a CNC mill and a lot of other things. The M5Stack's are all really great, I can't imagine a better prototyping.
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@skink said in Is there an easy way to connect M5Stack or M5Stick-C to old Lego Mindstorms Motors and Sensors (Robotic Invention):
@liemph ,
Hello,
As you can see, you can connect all RCX engines and also the power engines to the BaseX and of course the old engines of the NXT as well as the EV3. For the power motors there are also adapters to connect them to the X-Base.
The X-Base can control both the direction of rotation and the speed of the motors.
For sensors you would have to use the M5Stack connectors, which are available!I hope the test helped you !
Here the link to the video : "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm5Hdaia7po"
greetings skink
Thanks, a very nice video that explains everything I wanted to know. The encoder signal is also used by the Base is impressive. This feedback is important for a serious project.
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@skink said in Is there an easy way to connect M5Stack or M5Stick-C to old Lego Mindstorms Motors and Sensors (Robotic Invention):
You will need the following cables :
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this one from NXT/EV3 to PF Power motor connector
(https://www.generationrobots.com/de/401189-cable-nxt-to-pf.html) -
this one from PF Power Motor Connection to the old motors
(https://www.robot-advance.com/EN/art-extension-wire-8-20-cm-lego-power-functions-8886-en-777.htm)
Greeting skink
Ok, this is another interesting way not to throw away old Lego motors. I am challenged to make those connectors. Awesome. Thanks.
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The encoder signal is displayed very accurately and also evaluated very precisely. Of course also with the NXT motors and EV3 motors. I will see that I make a video the days once again where you can see how precisely he drives the set values.
@liemph
I will then connect a NXT motor and run it on different values of the encoder! The GlideWheel PF and RCX motor controller for NXT or EV3 cannot be mounted directly on the old motors, because it is designed for the power motors (on these it is mounted with two pins), but you can mount it somewhere in the system on the shaft of the motor. So you can make an encoder motor out of any Lego motor.
