Thread: FCG motor question (How much does your ghost weigh?)

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Times running out and the motor I bought for my FCG is spinning way too fast. It was supposed to be 4 RPMs. I haven't been able to find a variable resister locally that will work. So I may have to go with this motor, how ever I'm afraid my "clown" ghost may be too heavy for it. (it has a light weight mask and fabric, not cheese cloth)

Any one using this motor that's willing to weigh their ghost before I start building it? Thanks so much!!



http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.as...-1587&catname=

If you are concerned about your ghost's weight, you can always add another pulley and then add a counterweight, pulling in the opposite direction. I used a 16 oz. soda bottle and wound up putting in about 6 ounces of water to properly counterbalance.

If you get it well balanced, you can lower the voltage, and thus the speed. 9V will certainly run that motor.

Originally Posted by GoolGaul

If you are concerned about your ghost's weight, you can always add another pulley and then add a counterweight, pulling in the opposite direction. I used a 16 oz. soda bottle and wound up putting in about 6 ounces of water to properly counterbalance.

If you get it well balanced, you can lower the voltage, and thus the speed. 9V will certainly run that motor.

I was worried a counter weight wouldn't be enough on this little motor. Sounds like I may be in luck! I guess I'll go ahead with my project. Thanks for your fast response. You've given me hope lol

We used lead fishing sinkers to counterbalance ours, but I kind of like the water bottle idea.

I'm trying to find the two diagrams of the FCG rig (with and with out a counter weight) to show my husband. I'm beginning to think I'm search challenged lol I just saw it yesterday and now poof, I can't find it anywhere. Apparently my drawing is not making sense lol

I've searched before, but I've never found good directions on how to set up a counterbalance. I've seen pictures of the set-up and general explanations, but never step-by-step instructions. Maybe the details don't matter as long as you just put in the extra pulley and put the weight on the end of the line.

How about this one?



For your motor speed problem, I highly recommend this - http://store.qkits.com/moreinfo.cfm/MX033 A cheap way to control your DC motor speed without loss of torque. Fits inside an ATX power supply or any small box.

Originally Posted by thisain'tmayberry

How about this one?

Do you put the counterweight near the pulley when the ghost head is at its lowest point?

Vertical placement of the counterweight is immaterial - in fact I keep mine low so as not to be visible. Think of it like an elevator: As long as the prop and the counterweight are equal, it doesn't matter where they are in the lift/drop sequence; the drag on the motor will be "equalized." Hope this helps

So, the counterweight doesn't move up and down?