[RSS]: Externally powering the Technic hub

[Brickset]

Last year I wrote about running Pybricks on Powered Up hubs, in particular the 4-port grey Technic hub which is a powerful device but essentially useless without it.

In this article I show the method I use to modify them so that they can be powered from an external 5v USB power supply. It is not suitable for all applications, especially if your model moves, but for Great Ball Contraptions (GBCs) and other static models it negates the need to use batteries, which is particularly useful if you're planning to run them for a whole weekend at a public show.

I will also explain how to install Pybricks on the hub and use a simple program that runs motors at a constant speed, which is often all that's needed for the majority of GBC modules.

Please be warned, this article contains explicit photographs of LEGO pieces being mutilated.

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