Thread: The big question... WIPER MOTOR?

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Hello again,

Two words that jump out at me all the time, wiper motor. So I did a bit of research and I found a wiper motor for $15.99 at Monster Guts. I'm thinking this will be the way to go for halloween.

So I showed my dad and he asked how you connect power. So will I need to buy anything else along with the motor? Are there any tips and/or warnings I should hear before purchasing one (or two or three... ).

Thanks a lot,
the halloweenie

halloweenie,

Monster Guts also sells the transformers. Or you could use any 12 volt transformer you have laying around or even a computer power supply. Just make sure you have enough Amps on the output to power the motor.

What types of props are you thinking of building?

Make sure that the spped it turns at is what you are looking for. I just built a display that needed a motor. The Wiper motor rotated too fast for my needs. I went with a deer motor.

If your budget allows, I would consider buying the motor and power pack from Monster Guts. Makes for an easy and dependable set-up. They offer a 5 volt and 12 volt option for the power supplies. You can see videos on their site to get a speed comparison.

I just bought two more sets from them at the MHC show. Looking forward to putting them to good use.

Originally Posted by the halloweenie

Hello again,

Two words that jump out at me all the time, wiper motor. So I did a bit of research and I found a wiper motor for $15.99 at Monster Guts. I'm thinking this will be the way to go for halloween.

So I showed my dad and he asked how you connect power. So will I need to buy anything else along with the motor? Are there any tips and/or warnings I should hear before purchasing one (or two or three... ).

Thanks a lot,
the halloweenie

The best power source is a battery charger (car) and a close second would be a PC Power supply. If you have a old PC that isn't working it takes about 10 minutes to remove the power supply.

I really like PC power supplies the best, as they are capable of providing 5 and 12 Volts which are great when you need a fast or slower speed on your wiper motor. Depending on how you hook it up to the motor, you can get 4 different speed options on the same motor....combining the orange (3V) with the red one on the power supply will get you 8V, so then you have even more speed options for fine tuning your motor speed. Using something Like a dimmer switch wont work, if you need true variable speed make sure you get a PWM speed controller.

Originally Posted by BeaconSamurai

Make sure that the spped it turns at is what you are looking for. I just built a display that needed a motor. The Wiper motor rotated too fast for my needs. I went with a deer motor.

My old tombstone peeper has a two fast motor it is 12volt.So I am going to order the 5 to slow it down.
Mine also came as a kit from monsterguts.

Don't forget the little things. Monster guts has pigtail connectors to make it real easy to connect the wiper motor to your power supply. One end to the Motor tabs and the other end bar wire to connect to whatever. I have used orphaned wall worts to power mine. 6-12volts with 1-2 amps is all you need. 6 volts give you a nice slow turn.

I got my wiper motor from Monster Guts and just got the all in one (motor, quick connect and wall plug) and never had a minute's problem with it. I'm a complete mess when it comes to figuring out electronics and mechanics so I didn't want to have to even think about how to wire it.

I definitely recommend getting the 5v speed. It's slow enough for most effects - I've used it for my witch's cauldron (to make her stir) and for a rocking chair and it's the perfect speed for a tombstone peeper.

Most battery charger will have a 6 or 12 v setting I had 2 that had a 4,6 and 12v setting. A PC Power supply will have a 2.5, 5, and 12v wiring. I like having the choice in those two over a fixed setting.

If you are using it to make a slow moving prop that needs very little torque then a fix setting 5v would work OK. But if you plan on making a electric chair prop that needs fast movement you will need 12v. And if you need it to lift a prop or any prop that takes a lot of torque you will need the 12v. The lower the volts the lower the torque.