Thread: Power Window Motor

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Hello all,

I am making my first mechanical prop this year. I am finishing a wooden coffin and would like to rig it so that the lid goes up and an arm comes out. I have seen some ideas on how to build it. My question relates to the type of motor. I have see that most people use windshield wiper motors that are designed for continuous motion. I have an old motor from a power window that is designed to work for short periods. It is an S2 - min type of duty. It is 12 V. Does anyone know if it would overheat if run continuously?

If so, then I want it to shut off after a certain period of time.

Thanks

Welcome to the insanity Hobbergoblin.

I just it depends on a few things.

How heave is the coffin lid? Are you using the motor to do double duty? Meaning will it open the coffin lid & extend/retract the arm as well?

I have not had the opportunity to use an automobile electric window motor yet.

How will you set it in motion?

I am sure that some of the more experienced haunters than I will chime in..

Let us know what you end up doing. PICTURES are our friend as well.

John

I'm not familiar with a S2 min? duty windshield wiper motor so it's had to say right off hand if it will do what you want. As jpbaily1 pointed out allot has to do with the weight of the coffin lid your going to lift. I would also think you would have to fabricate a wheel that bolts to your motor shaft to which the hand you want to lift coffin lid and come out has to be bolted on and be able to pivot on the outside diameter of said wheel. I've built somewhat the same thing, a hand raising and lowering in a crypt using an AC motor, wheel bolted to it, arm and hand pivoting on the wheel and a frame work to keep it all in place so it slides up and down in place. You maybe able to something similar with you windshield wiper motor. Have fun experimenting and if it turns out let us know.

Thanks for the input.

I realized that I had a typo. It should have been S2 - 5 min. The motor is this one:http://www.boschmotorsandcontrols.co...1666/index.htm

Here is a video that I am using as the starting point.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn-D_...e_gdata_player

Not sure how much lid weighs yet. The idea is for motor to lift up lid with the wheel and then push hand out. Main worry is that motors just for short duration as opposed to continuous. Power window vs windshield wiper.

I appreciate the help.

Its spec says continuous torque of 1 Nm (about 0.74 ft-lbf). If the lid is made of foam treated to look like wood, I'd think you'd probably be okay as it would be so light (but you may need a string to limit is travel so wind wouldn't blow it open). If made of wood, and allowing for some friction between the lid and cam unless you attached a small section of plastic or metal to the inside of the lid as a rub plate, then I'd suspect you'd be over that load level. But if you had some sort of interupt such that you only triggered the motion when someone came near, then that may be fine also (but involve a detector and possibly some cut-off switch such that it stopped with the hand retracted out of view - sounds much more involved). Just my 2 cents/shillings - take it for what its worth.