Answers.Body: <p>I think the simplest way is to use an <a href="http://mindstorms.lego.com/en-us/products/8528.aspx" rel="nofollow">NXT Converter Cable</a> (<a href="http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?itemID=66994&amp;colorID=11" rel="nofollow">Available from Bricklink</a>). 
  This has an NXT connector on one end and the standard 9v connector on the other. You can connect the 9v connector to any 9v battery box, (e.g. <a href="http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?S=9831-1" rel="nofollow">Battery Box with Switch (9V)</a>) and, depending on the polarity, power the NXT motor forward or backward.</p>
  
  <p>Now, the issues:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>The speed of the motor is determined by the strength of your
  batteries. With new batteries the motor will run at full speed and
  you have no ability to vary this speed. Off/forward/backward are your
  only options.</li>
  <li>There is no way to receive feedback from the motor, so no way to
  control the number of rotations as you can when connected to an NXT.</li>
  </ul>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-09-10T04:27:53.453Z
Answers.Text: You can vary the speed if you use an old 9V transformer, or the PF battery (with yet another adapter cable).
Answers.UserDisplayName: Joubarc
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-09-09T16:10:00.333Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2012-09-09T21:39:57.517Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2012-09-09T21:39:57.517Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: mcqwerty
Body: <p>I know almost nothing about robotics, so I was wondering how can I power the nxt motor without using the nxt brick, and how can I send signals to it?</p>
  
Tags: <nxt><mindstorms><programming>
Title: How can I power an NXT motor without the NXT brick?
UserDisplayName: Derek
ThreadText: # How can I power an NXT motor without the NXT brick?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2012-09-08)
  
  I know almost nothing about robotics, so I was wondering how can I power the nxt motor without using the nxt brick, and how can I send signals to it?
  
  **Tags:** nxt, mindstorms, programming
  
  
  ---
  
  ## 1 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2012-09-09. Score: 4
  
  I think the simplest way is to use an [NXT Converter Cable](http://mindstorms.lego.com/en-us/products/8528.aspx) ([Available from Bricklink](http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?itemID=66994&colorID=11)).
  This has an NXT connector on one end and the standard 9v connector on the other. You can connect the 9v connector to any 9v battery box, (e.g. [Battery Box with Switch (9V)](http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?S=9831-1)) and, depending on the polarity, power the NXT motor forward or backward.
  
  Now, the issues:
  
  * The speed of the motor is determined by the strength of your
    batteries. With new batteries the motor will run at full speed and
    you have no ability to vary this speed. Off/forward/backward are your
    only options.
  * There is no way to receive feedback from the motor, so no way to
    control the number of rotations as you can when connected to an NXT.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_2**: You can vary the speed if you use an old 9V transformer, or the PF battery (with yet another adapter cable).  
  
  ---
  
  