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Forum Index : Electronics : One for the kids

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Downwind

Guru

Joined: 09/09/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 2333
Posted: 03:41pm 27 Sep 2009
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Hi All,

Here is a little project for the kids, grand kids or the big kid in us all.
It takes about 5 minutes to construct and is a fun toy or you could say the worlds most simplest motor.

Parts list.

1 x AA battery
1 x small Neo magnet ( round ) or any magnet(s) with reasonable strength
Some bare copper wire of any size ( tinned copper wire is ok )
Some thick tape ( I used 2 layers of insulation tape )



Here is the finished motor.



Cut a couple of layers of tape and stick together to make a thick layer.

Make a hole in the centre 2-3mm in dia. And trim tape to roughly the battery size.

Stick the tape to one end of the battery.
This will be the guide to help prevent the copper loop falling off the top.


Place the magnet on the other end of the battery.
Ensure it is making contact with the battery terminal.


Bend the copper wire so it has a small right angle on one end. This will be the contact which it will pivot on the battery.

Shape the copper wire into a ring ( or any other shape desired ) so when placed on the battery the bottom of the ring will touch on the magnet.
This is important so as to complete the electrical circuit between both battery terminals.

I soldered the loop together but can be twisted or even left unjoined.

Place the copper ring onto the battery so the bent end sits into the hole in the tape and the bottom of the ring touches on the magnet.

The copper ring should spin around the battery in an orbit motion. ( needs to be a fully charged battery)

As the ring is energized the two magnet fields repel each other pushing the ring away from the magnet.
As the circuit is now broken, removing the electromagnetic field the ring falls back onto the magnet and the process is repeated.

This is so simple and quick to make and will fascinate the kids for hours (or until the battery goes flat) just ensure you have a good supply of magnets as all their friends will want to make one too.



The loop can be squashed a little to adjust the size so as to touch on the magnet correctly.



If more than one magnet is stacked together than this will give greater power / speed to the motor.

Try making one for yourself as it’s a goofy gadget that only takes a few minutes to construct and fun to play with.

I had no luck with using cheap fridge magnets or other low power magnets. The better the magnet the better the motor will preform.

The magnet I used was one from a cupboard door latch. (used for timber shutters etc.)

The copper will tarnish with arcing and time so a peridotic quick polish with non metalic pot scourer etc will help the performance greatly.

Have Fun.

From Downwind.





Sometimes it just works
 
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