<p>You can accomplish this with these two parts:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://brickset.com/sets/8528-1/Converter-Cables-for-Mindstorms-NXT" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://brickset.com/sets/8528-1/Converter-Cables-for-Mindstorms-NXT</a></li>
<li><a href="https://brickset.com/sets/8886-1/Extension-Cable" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://brickset.com/sets/8886-1/Extension-Cable</a></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-09-08T17:56:34.667Z
8886 | (8871 & 8528) http://powerfunctions.lego.com/en-us/faq/default.aspx
auselen
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-13T18:15:28.943Z
How does this accomplish anything? The cables are incompatible. Bad answer and non-helpful. @guestguy123's answer was better, even without details (which I added).
eficker
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-12T16:47:58.763Z
As of Nov 2014, the top link doesn't work.  And, honestly, I don't think this was ever a valid solution.
Nick2253
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-13T22:18:12.033Z
@Nick2253 The top link has since rotted. I've updated it to the new location.
Timtech
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-09T11:52:49.893Z
Just to confirm (as auselen's link to the FAQ points out) this *is* the LEGO approved way of connecting PF Mindstorms parts.
Zhaph - Ben Duguid
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-10T18:24:16.090Z
That FAQ entry is for the NXT not the EV3.
Peter Green
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-22T15:31:09.960Z
https://web.archive.org/web/20150122045709/http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Converter-Cables-for-LEGO-MINDSTORMS-NXT-8528
Jarod Thornton
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-26T08:57:38.240Z
I can confirm 8528 and 8886 combination works, as long as you alter the speed of the motor. See David Lechner's answer for more details.
jk_
CC BY-SA 4.0
2013-08-28T14:15:00.947Z
2022-09-05T09:28:47.297Z
2022-09-05T09:28:47.297Z
Timtech
<p>As mentioned by @guestguy123 and @eficker, it is easy to combine an EV3 cable and a PF cable to make a custom cable that allows the EV3 to control. This can even be done without soldering - I just twist the wires together and tape them with electrical tape. The full schematic is here:
<img src="https://i.sstatic.net/RE9L3.jpg" alt="Schematic for cable"></p>

<p>All you need is 2 resistors (1x1kOhm and 1x10kOhm) which are cheap to get at your local electronics store (e.g. Radioshack or Maplin's) and the willpower to cut through 2 good Lego wires (1 PF cable and 1 EV3 cable). But once you do, it recognizes a PF motor as an NXT style unregulated motor and you can send it commands.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-21T02:38:04.053Z
forgot to mention that I snipped that image from the youtube video - not my work ;)
Phil B.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-05T16:44:01.743Z
Do the resistors avoid the timeout problem mentioned in David Lechners answer?
Peter Green
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-05T21:19:12.257Z
I have used my modified cables regularly and never encountered that problem, so I think the answer to your question is Yes.
Phil B.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-20T18:38:11.557Z
2014-11-20T18:38:11.557Z
Phil B.
<p>You can use 3rd party modules:</p>

<ul>
<li><p><a href="https://www.hitechnic.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&amp;key=NIL1046" rel="nofollow">HiTechnic NXT IRLink Sensor</a></p>

<ul>
<li>control PF motors using PF IR receiver</li>
<li>EV3 blocks</li>
<li>Lejos <a href="http://www.lejos.org/ev3/docs/lejos/hardware/device/IRLink.html" rel="nofollow">IRLink</a> class </li>
</ul></li>
<li><p><a href="http://www.mindsensors.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&amp;PAGE_user_op=view_page&amp;PAGE_id=107" rel="nofollow">MindSensors PF Motor controller for NXT (PFMate)</a></p>

<ul>
<li>control PF motors using PF IR receiver</li>
<li>No EV3 blocks (yet)</li>
<li>Lejos <a href="http://www.lejos.org/ev3/docs/lejos/hardware/device/PFMateMotor.html" rel="nofollow">PFMateMotor</a> class</li>
</ul></li>
<li><p><a href="http://www.mindsensors.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&amp;PAGE_user_op=view_page&amp;PAGE_id=153" rel="nofollow">Mindsensors GlideWheel PF Motor controller for NXT or EV3</a> </p>

<ul>
<li>can power PF motor directly from EV3</li>
<li>PF motor can be used as regulated motor (servo)</li>
<li>EV3 blocks</li>
<li>Lejos <a href="http://www.lejos.org/ev3/docs/lejos/hardware/motor/MindsensorsGlideWheelMRegulatedMotor.html" rel="nofollow">MindsensorsGlideWheelMRegulatedMotor</a> class</li>
</ul></li>
</ul>

<p>Or third party cable <a href="http://www.robotshop.com/en/firgelli-technologies-nxt-to-pf-cable.html" rel="nofollow">NXT to PF Cable</a> (however I am not 100% sure if it will work with EV3). Accoring to <a href="http://www.lejos.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&amp;t=7177#p26075" rel="nofollow">answer on lejos forum</a> it should work with Lejos <a href="http://www.lejos.org/ev3/docs/lejos/hardware/motor/RCXMotor.html" rel="nofollow">RCXMotor</a> class.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-12T19:33:18.807Z
2014-09-12T10:33:49.203Z
2014-09-12T10:33:49.203Z
rafalmag
<p>You can connect the Power Functions motor to the EV3 with a <a href="http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Converter-Cables-for-LEGO-MINDSTORMS-NXT-8528" rel="nofollow noreferrer">LEGO 8528 cable</a> and a <a href="http://powerfunctions.lego.com/en-us/Products/Default.aspx#8886" rel="nofollow noreferrer">LEGO 8886 cable</a>.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/qMhUc.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/qMhUc.jpg" alt="LEGO 8528 cable"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ZSXDP.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ZSXDP.jpg" alt="LEGO 8886 cable"></a></p>

<p>In addition to the cables, you need to know how to trick the software. You can use the unregulated motor block, but it will stop after a short time (1 second or so). You have to constantly change the speed to keep the motor powered.</p>

<p>Here is a simple example to run the motor at 75% of full power:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/gNX5f.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/gNX5f.png" alt="Unregulated motor loop"></a></p>

<p>Using a single unregulated motor in a block like this won't work because the power value does not change. It seems that changing the power value is what resets the timeout on the EV3.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-06T03:42:05.990Z
2015-12-06T03:42:05.990Z
David Lechner
<p>this explains how to make a conversion cable:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns3TODgRlCE" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns3TODgRlCE</a></p>

<p>You take a cable from the EV3 and a power functions cable, add some resistors and solder it up. Not a tough mod, but you do have to sacrifice two cables to the cause. Although, the possibilities are worth it imo, as you can now control a lego train or other power functions sets with EV3. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-09T15:00:39.603Z
Can add details (in your answer) about how this cable is made before referring to this external link?
pcantin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-09T09:25:41.523Z
2014-06-14T17:48:49.117Z
2014-06-14T17:48:49.117Z
guestguy123
<p>Having <a href="http://mindstorms.lego.com/en-us/News/ReadMore/Default.aspx?id=476781" rel="noreferrer">learned</a> that Mindstorms EV3 doesn't work directly with Power Functions,</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Q: Can you use Power Functions motors with the EV3 programmable brick?</p>
<p>A: No, the connector does not match.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I still wonder what could be possible workarounds to use them together?</p>

<mindstorms><power-functions>
How to use Power Functions with Mindstorms EV3?
auselen
# How to use Power Functions with Mindstorms EV3?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-08-26)

Having [learned](http://mindstorms.lego.com/en-us/News/ReadMore/Default.aspx?id=476781) that Mindstorms EV3 doesn't work directly with Power Functions,

> Q: Can you use Power Functions motors with the EV3 programmable brick?
>
> A: No, the connector does not match.

I still wonder what could be possible workarounds to use them together?

**Tags:** mindstorms, power-functions


---

## 5 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2013-08-28. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

You can accomplish this with these two parts:

* <https://brickset.com/sets/8528-1/Converter-Cables-for-Mindstorms-NXT>
* <https://brickset.com/sets/8886-1/Extension-Cable>

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: 8886 | (8871 & 8528) http://powerfunctions.lego.com/en-us/faq/default.aspx  
> **username_2**: How does this accomplish anything? The cables are incompatible. Bad answer and non-helpful. @username_11's answer was better, even without details (which I added).  
> **username_3**: As of Nov 2014, the top link doesn't work.  And, honestly, I don't think this was ever a valid solution.  
> **username_1**: @username_3 The top link has since rotted. I've updated it to the new location.  
> **username_4**: Just to confirm (as username_0's link to the FAQ points out) this *is* the LEGO approved way of connecting PF Mindstorms parts.  
> **username_5**: That FAQ entry is for the NXT not the EV3.  
> **username_6**: https://web.archive.org/web/20150122045709/http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Converter-Cables-for-LEGO-MINDSTORMS-NXT-8528  
> **username_7**: I can confirm 8528 and 8886 combination works, as long as you alter the speed of the motor. See username_10's answer for more details.  

---

### Answer by username_8 on 2014-11-20. Score: 11

As mentioned by @username_11 and @username_2, it is easy to combine an EV3 cable and a PF cable to make a custom cable that allows the EV3 to control. This can even be done without soldering - I just twist the wires together and tape them with electrical tape. The full schematic is here:
![Schematic for cable](https://i.sstatic.net/RE9L3.jpg)

All you need is 2 resistors (1x1kOhm and 1x10kOhm) which are cheap to get at your local electronics store (e.g. Radioshack or Maplin's) and the willpower to cut through 2 good Lego wires (1 PF cable and 1 EV3 cable). But once you do, it recognizes a PF motor as an NXT style unregulated motor and you can send it commands.

> **Comments:**
> **username_8**: forgot to mention that I snipped that image from the youtube video - not my work ;)  
> **username_5**: Do the resistors avoid the timeout problem mentioned in username_10s answer?  
> **username_8**: I have used my modified cables regularly and never encountered that problem, so I think the answer to your question is Yes.  

---

### Answer by username_9 on 2014-07-12. Score: 4

You can use 3rd party modules:

* [HiTechnic NXT IRLink Sensor](https://www.hitechnic.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=NIL1046)

  + control PF motors using PF IR receiver
  + EV3 blocks
  + Lejos [IRLink](http://www.lejos.org/ev3/docs/lejos/hardware/device/IRLink.html) class
* [MindSensors PF Motor controller for NXT (PFMate)](http://www.mindsensors.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=107)

  + control PF motors using PF IR receiver
  + No EV3 blocks (yet)
  + Lejos [PFMateMotor](http://www.lejos.org/ev3/docs/lejos/hardware/device/PFMateMotor.html) class
* [Mindsensors GlideWheel PF Motor controller for NXT or EV3](http://www.mindsensors.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=153)

  + can power PF motor directly from EV3
  + PF motor can be used as regulated motor (servo)
  + EV3 blocks
  + Lejos [MindsensorsGlideWheelMRegulatedMotor](http://www.lejos.org/ev3/docs/lejos/hardware/motor/MindsensorsGlideWheelMRegulatedMotor.html) class

Or third party cable [NXT to PF Cable](http://www.robotshop.com/en/firgelli-technologies-nxt-to-pf-cable.html) (however I am not 100% sure if it will work with EV3). Accoring to [answer on lejos forum](http://www.lejos.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=7177#p26075) it should work with Lejos [RCXMotor](http://www.lejos.org/ev3/docs/lejos/hardware/motor/RCXMotor.html) class.


---

### Answer by username_10 on 2015-12-06. Score: 3

You can connect the Power Functions motor to the EV3 with a [LEGO 8528 cable](http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Converter-Cables-for-LEGO-MINDSTORMS-NXT-8528) and a [LEGO 8886 cable](http://powerfunctions.lego.com/en-us/Products/Default.aspx#8886).

[![LEGO 8528 cable](https://i.sstatic.net/qMhUc.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/qMhUc.jpg)

[![LEGO 8886 cable](https://i.sstatic.net/ZSXDP.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/ZSXDP.jpg)

In addition to the cables, you need to know how to trick the software. You can use the unregulated motor block, but it will stop after a short time (1 second or so). You have to constantly change the speed to keep the motor powered.

Here is a simple example to run the motor at 75% of full power:

[![Unregulated motor loop](https://i.sstatic.net/gNX5f.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/gNX5f.png)

Using a single unregulated motor in a block like this won't work because the power value does not change. It seems that changing the power value is what resets the timeout on the EV3.


---

### Answer by username_11 on 2014-03-09. Score: 2

this explains how to make a conversion cable:

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns3TODgRlCE>

You take a cable from the EV3 and a power functions cable, add some resistors and solder it up. Not a tough mod, but you do have to sacrifice two cables to the cause. Although, the possibilities are worth it imo, as you can now control a lego train or other power functions sets with EV3.

> **Comments:**
> **username_12**: Can add details (in your answer) about how this cable is made before referring to this external link?  

---

