Power Functions motors compatibility

[withad]

I was planning on buying a couple of these Power Functions motors but I couldn't find anything definitive about leJOS support for them. From what I can find, they don't have internal tachometers like the NXT motors, which I guess means they can't use the rotate() and rotateTo() Motor functions.

Can anyone confirm/deny that for me? Thanks.

[skoehler]

I was planning on buying a couple of these Power Functions motors but I couldn't find anything definitive about leJOS support for them. From what I can find, they don't have internal tachometers like the NXT motors, which I guess means they can't use the rotate() and rotateTo() Motor functions.

Can anyone confirm/deny that for me? Thanks.

I have never seen the connector that this motor uses. It doesn't seem to be the old connectors, used by the RCX. Look at the cable, it has more than 2 wires. I have no clue, what these connectors are capable of, and whether there is an adapter for the NXT.

Edit: here's some info about the new connectors:
http://www.philohome.com/pf/pf.htm

Not sure, whether an adapter for the NXT is feasible.

[Atr]

You'll need:
- Converter Cables for LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8528&cn=17)
and
- LEGO® Power Functions Extension Wire 20” (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8871&cn=587)

I have used this motor connected to NXT brick multiple times, for example here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUgwI9WrJ9o

[withad]

That's awesome, thanks. I'd found a lot of videos of people using the motors with the NXT brick but couldn't figure out how exactly they'd done it. The only tutorial I could find showing those cables only dealt with a particular kind of sensor. Good to know it's possible.

EDIT: One other question - this bypasses the need for the PF battery box, right? Because otherwise I'm not quite seeing how it all goes together.

[skoehler]

You'll need:
- Converter Cables for LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8528&cn=17)
and
- LEGO® Power Functions Extension Wire 20” (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8871&cn=587)

I have used this motor connected to NXT brick multiple times, for example here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUgwI9WrJ9o

I can't tell, whether the 20" extension cable helps. Only the upper part of the two plugs is shown. However, the 8" cable looks slightly different (or at least you can see the lower part of one of the plugs), and I think it does the job:
http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8886&cn=587

Also, it explicitly states "Allows you to connect your LEGO 9V electric systems to the new Power Functions!". The description of the 20" cable doesn't mention that.

[Atr]

EDIT: One other question - this bypasses the need for the PF battery box, right? Because otherwise I'm not quite seeing how it all goes together.

That's right, PF motor is powered directly from NXT brick.

I can't tell, whether the 20" extension cable helps. Only the upper part of the two plugs is shown. However, the 8" cable looks slightly different (or at least you can see the lower part of one of the plugs), and I think it does the job:
http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8886&cn=587
Also, it explicitly states "Allows you to connect your LEGO 9V electric systems to the new Power Functions!". The description of the 20" cable doesn't mention that.

Both cables will do fine. The dark gray plug is a new PF plug and the light gray plug is the old RCX plug. Both cables have them.