Have you ever looked through your bin of motors and thought about using something in there for a build just for aesthetics? No? Well, perhaps you should! Today we continue our LEGO NPU series by taking a look at a few electronic elements that you might not consider for MOCs at first glance but can really add that amazing detail and NPU wow moment you are looking for.

AN odd little collection, gadgets and gizmos galore!

What makes a LEGO piece electronic? Well, let’s first consider anything that lights up, makes a sound, moves, or connects to a video game… there’s a lot! The LEGO Group has surprisingly produced electronics since 1965—a whopping 13 years before the minifigure! Motor Pack Set 002 had the first electric components, and LEGO continues to produce them today.

It’s even from the samsonite era!!! (IMage via Brickset)

So let’s jump in to our bin of parts—some that I’m sure you might see and wonder “What is that!?” Each of these elements has a specific purpose… and each of the following MOCs ignores that purpose and uses them just for their look.

Fiber Optics

Fiber optics are one of the oddest ventures LEGO has ever made. Used extensively in the first wave of Exo-Force, these clear pipes have since teetered off into effective oblivion.

Toddrick, a fellow Bionicle fanatic, made this lovely crab! His little antenna are made from fiber optic cables from a handful of sets back in the late 90s. Unfortunately, most of them I’ve come across are bent in all sorts of ways, but it doesn’t matter for this little fella—they look splendid!

EVery bionicle builder knows crabs are the best

Moving along, nothing more frustrating than attempting to plug in your new computer, only to find out your ethernet cable is slightly too short! Pohaturon constructed this classic Ethernet plug using the Exo-Force fiber optic light!

Both of these MOCs use LEGO fiber obtics elements in ways we wouldn’t expect, earning a “Nice NPU!” exclamation.

Watches

If you ever want to up your fashion, you should get a LEGO watch ! Since 1996, nearly all watches have been compatible with one another, through a bunch of links that interlink for the band . There aren’t many connection points but that hasn’t stopped talented builders before. Now, let’s get to some builds!

The Assault Symbiont Syrinx brilliantly uses a Clikits watch turned all topsy turvy as a funky head! The translucent color scheme really pops—more builders need to use less color. Djokson’s work is as amazing, as always .

Do you hear ticking? Next up we have Sylon_tw’s photoreal explosive that uses a Yoda watch and ingeniously added some Clikits bands tying it all together! It is a simple but effective use of electronics to make a build pop—or in this case, fill you with dread!

Watch out imperials, yoda explosive is ready

My my, look at the time. I hear it is time to move on!

Sound Bricks

Every once and a while, LEGO adds sound to a set. Nowadays, sound bricks are mostly in DUPLO sets, but they were rather widespread back in the day.

Look closely at the moisture vaporator MOC from Star Wars. Notice anything odd? Yep, WG Productions utilized a siren element from some early LEGO Space sets . Normally, using a yellowed brick wouldn’t add much to a build, but here, it looks natural. Tatooine is covered in sand. I don't like sand. It's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere…

Sounds like another winner in our books for nice NPU!

Dimensions

LEGO Dimensions was a hybrid game which involved half gaming and half collecting various sets with minifigures and accompanying vehicles. It sadly met its end way too soon but introduces these translucent discs as bases. Every character had an individual base, and the game board would figure out which character was where using NFC chips embedded inside them.

Character specific bases have only 2 studs & character specific details

But those bases look really cool on their own too! Here are two more builds by Djokson, the Guardian Symbiont Stratocumulus and Guardian Symbiont Ophanim that both use a bunch of generic Dimensions bases to give both builds a funky techy vibe.

I really like how the trans-orange base is used on one side to add a little extra color. Those wings are extra dimensional!

To wrap things up, building with LEGO electronics can really "amp up" your creations and "spark" your imagination. With so many innovative pieces available, you can "lighten up" your MOCs or give them a "powerful" punch. And when it comes to using these pieces creatively, the only limit is your own "circuit"-ry! So why not "resistor" the urge to stick to the basics and instead "transistor" your building skills to a whole new level with some NPU. Trust me, it will be an "ohm"-azing experience!

What LEGO electronics elements have you used in MOCs? Let us know in the comments below.

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