Thread: Motor Question

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Hey all...last year I tried a Monster in a Box prop, which failed miserably (single-speed drill motor...bad idea). I'm trying again.

I got my hands on a 115v 60hz gear motor, which seems to work fine, but it goes too fast for my purposes (cauldron creep, to run the stir stick)...I need it maybe 1/4 of the speed it runs at.

I found some info online that said that this type of motor will always run at a predetermined speed regardless of lowering the voltage...is this true? Or would I be able to slow it down with an off-the-shelf light dimmer?

Thanks all

Jeremy

I tried to do the same thing to a disco ball motor by adding a light dimmer to control the rotation speed. It didn't work. I learned that it depends on how the motor is built.

I called Granger Electronics http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/start.shtml and the customer service rep pointed me to a few motors on their website that would work. If I remember correctly, the type of motors were called "shaded-pole" motors. They were around $80-$90 though.

No idea if this helps, but you're not alone with this motor issue.

I used a windshield wiper motor powered by an old computer power supply in mine.
http://s212.photobucket.com/albums/c...nt=Crate-2.mp4
(there's another video of it on my photo bucket page as well)

I actually also just ordered 2 more wiper motors with power supplies from a Halloween supply website. Waiting for them to show up. They use a smaller Laptop Brick type power supply in their kit, so we shall see how that works.

How about a variable speed drill? I found a black and decker once for like $25. Strapp'r down and go? Not enough room? Too hacky? Sorry, I'm too nubish to the animating my own props thing. I still have power tools on the mind for my works haha. Like a saws all for an electric chair prop and monster in the box and a drill for a stirring cauldron.

This year I just got a mid 90's GM wiper motor and using a power supply from a computer.

~{Autopsy}~