Thread: my motor gets hot.

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I have an oscillating fan motor which I would like to use to make my swamp witch's head move. The problem is that it gets so hot, I'm afraid it will melt the mask or start a fire. What can I do to it?

It will, too, if it doesn't burn out first. Part of what keeps a fan motor cool is the fan blades. Try using a a small low-speed gearmotor with an oscillating mechanism. I know fan motors are cheap and easy to get, but without really good ventilation they'll burn themselves out. Try Googling "reindeer motors" - there are replacement motors available for Xmas reindeer for just a few bucks. So for a little dough, you can have safer prop.

Puns intended...

I read the title and thought this was going to be a REALLY good thread... then I realized I am on a halloween board

Originally Posted by squatdaddy

I read the title and thought this was going to be a REALLY good thread... then I realized I am on a halloween board

Yeah, I love cars too. Easton huh? I grew up right outside Allentown.

Originally Posted by Otaku

It will, too, if it doesn't burn out first. Part of what keeps a fan motor cool is the fan blades. Try using a a small low-speed gearmotor with an oscillating mechanism. I know fan motors are cheap and easy to get, but without really good ventilation they'll burn themselves out. Try Googling "reindeer motors" - there are replacement motors available for Xmas reindeer for just a few bucks. So for a little dough, you can have safer prop.

Puns intended...

Thanks Otaku, I will definitely take your advise. I don't need fires on Halloween.

I put a fan motor in the chest caviety of my witch, took the plastic cover off, used a wire mesh to hold the fabric away from it, the head and shoulders both move, worked last year for several hours with no problem, hopefully this year will work too,

Originally Posted by bethene

I put a fan motor in the chest caviety of my witch, took the plastic cover off, used a wire mesh to hold the fabric away from it, the head and shoulders both move, worked last year for several hours with no problem, hopefully this year will work too,

Yeah, I have the plastic cover and it would fit inside the mask just fine, so I wonder if that would protect it better from burning the mask.

It's not just to protect the mask, it helps air to circulate around the motor itself by giving it more space.

I have a fan motor that is going to operate my FCG this year. I am not building any sort of enclosure to make sure that it has plenty of air circulation. I would hate for it to burn out!

You know, if you have an old microwave with the turntable inside, the small motor that's inside would be perfect for this.
Dumpster-diving is a great way to get supplies

I used a oscillating fan motor one year for an indoor crank ghost. But I was really worried about the exposed electrical connections. I screwed it to a plastic board and covered what I could with electrical tape, but I didn't know what else was 'live' so I locked in a bedroom and used a system of pulleys going through a crack the top of the door.

I'd just be careful to keep people from touching the witch while she's plugged in, and if she falls over, unplug her before touching her, and examine the mechanism carefully before plugging it back in.

Michael