I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this but I figure someone here could help. My son and I are building a solar system for his 1st grade class project. I built a wooden box about 2 foot X 2 foot with the front open. We drilled a bunch of pin size holes all over the inside. I put Christmas lights on the outside and put more plywood over the lights. When you turn it looks like outer space. I put a dowel rod through the middle with it coming through the top. The sun will be put in the middle with the planets coming off of it. I want the solar system to rotate. I have a small motor that I took out of a remote control car. The problem I'm having is it spins way to fast. I have tried to put a bunch of pulleys around the top thinking it would slow it down. It is still moving way to fast. My question is......
Is there a way to slow the motor down? I would rather have it right beside the dowl rod with maybe one gear attached to the motor and one to the dowel rod. I only have a few more days until it's due so I don't have time to order anything off of the net. I hoping to find anything I need at my local hardware store. Is there a way to make some sort of a speed control switch? I thought about trying a dimmer switch but not sure if this would work so I thought I'd ask you guys. I'm not very educated in the science and physics field. Sorry if I asked this in the wrong forum. I'd appreciate any insight anyone can give me!
Thanks,
Brian
Hi bcoots76,
If your motor is running off DC (as I assume it is , being from a remote control car), then use a variable resistor in series with the motor (2 leads on one side, one lead on the other). Make sure the resistor is rated high enough for the power it will dissipate. Look at the motor's V and I usage then multiply them together and make sure the resistor can handle that power you just calculated.
Good Luck,
Peace,
Ron
If your motor is running off DC (as I assume it is , being from a remote control car), then use a variable resistor in series with the motor (2 leads on one side, one lead on the other). Make sure the resistor is rated high enough for the power it will dissipate. Look at the motor's V and I usage then multiply them together and make sure the resistor can handle that power you just calculated.
Good Luck,
Peace,
Ron
Thanks Ron! That's what I was looking for. How much will that slow the motor down? I need it to barely spin. Will that do it? Thank you very much!
Brian
Brian
Perhaps a 60hz, 110vAC, (or 50hz, depending on your location?), clock motor with a reduction gear would work better? If the little DC motor is slowed down too much with any kind of load on it, it's liable to burn up or stall, and then burn up. Never let the blue smoke out! 
The clock motor is a great idea. I live in the US. I thought about a wind up motor out of a spinning ballarina or something too. I would rather have it battery operated though. Like I said earlier, I'm not too educated in stuff like this. Could you give a example of a certain type of clock that might work? Thank you everyone for your help!
QUOTE (bcoots76+Jan 23 2008, 11:19 AM)
The clock motor is a great idea. I live in the US. I thought about a wind up motor out of a spinning ballarina or something too. I would rather have it battery operated though. Like I said earlier, I'm not too educated in stuff like this. Could you give a example of a certain type of clock that might work? Thank you everyone for your help!
Arts and crafts places have a battery operated clock mechanism for use with your own face, etc., but the thing I'm thinking of is probably available at a hardware store, or pulled from a small fan. I can't think what to call it, sorry.
Arts and crafts places have a battery operated clock mechanism for use with your own face, etc., but the thing I'm thinking of is probably available at a hardware store, or pulled from a small fan. I can't think what to call it, sorry.
Sapo,
I know exactly what you're talking about now. I'm not too good in the science field but I am a woodworker. I built a clock awhile back and purchased the kit off of the internet. There is a hobby store about 15 minutes from me. I'll head over there and I'm sure they will have it. Thanks for the idea. I'm going to try a dimmer switch real fast just to see if it will work. I like Ron's idea too but not sure where I could pick up a variable resistor. The hobby store might have those as well. I'll give both ideas a try. Thank you both very much. If you have any other ideas send them my way!
Thanks again!
Brian
I know exactly what you're talking about now. I'm not too good in the science field but I am a woodworker. I built a clock awhile back and purchased the kit off of the internet. There is a hobby store about 15 minutes from me. I'll head over there and I'm sure they will have it. Thanks for the idea. I'm going to try a dimmer switch real fast just to see if it will work. I like Ron's idea too but not sure where I could pick up a variable resistor. The hobby store might have those as well. I'll give both ideas a try. Thank you both very much. If you have any other ideas send them my way!
Thanks again!
Brian
You're very welcome! Visit my Joint, and let's talk about woodworking!
QUOTE (Sapo+Jan 24 2008, 05:11 AM)
Never let the blue smoke out!
All hail the sacred blue smoke.
All hail the sacred blue smoke.
Hey All,
I like Sapo's idea, which you can definitely get at a hobby shop. If you can make the planets light enough, and a strong enough clock gear, you can have multiple revolution rates and, with some smaller clock gears, even have some moons!
Peace,
Ron
I like Sapo's idea, which you can definitely get at a hobby shop. If you can make the planets light enough, and a strong enough clock gear, you can have multiple revolution rates and, with some smaller clock gears, even have some moons!
Peace,
Ron
Orrery time, anyone?
QUOTE (bcoots76+Jan 23 2008, 04:19 PM)
The clock motor is a great idea. I live in the US. I thought about a wind up motor out of a spinning ballarina or something too. I would rather have it battery operated though. Like I said earlier, I'm not too educated in stuff like this. Could you give a example of a certain type of clock that might work? Thank you everyone for your help!
if you use a resistor.....that should quite do it....the clock on sounds GREAT...thanks sapo!!!
if you use a resistor.....that should quite do it....the clock on sounds GREAT...thanks sapo!!!
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