[Imagineer]

Ive been looking for a cheap motor to use to make a FCG, or possibly multiple ones. I came across this motor for $9, its a 5rpm motor....

5 RPM GEAR MOTOR, 12VDC

Will this motor work?

 

[milemarker]

There is another site , where the motor is less than half of that price , and , IMO , no , the motor is not strong enough . They are good for head poppers with a light head , but , not for a FCG .
And , like I said , when you said a CHEAP motor , that part is correct . They ARE cheap , just , not from that seller .
If I'm not mistaken , those are the same as I am referring to , and operate a vent in a Chrylser .
heres a link to ONE of the many discussions of that motor for a FCG :

http://www.halloweenforum.com/halloween-props/74876-power-gear-motors.html

 

[Imagineer]

From what I read on Phantasmechanics Online (original creator of FCG), they use a 6rpm motor, but its a higher end motor $100.

The total weight of the one I plan on building would only be like 3lbs probaly less. So a cheap motor with plastic gears should work.

Thanks for the link to the other post! Its basically the same motor, and $1 cheaper to boot.

 

[milemarker]

The website that I was looking for ( which I can not find right this minute ) , sold those for $2.95 each ( I know , I bought 6 of those motors from them ) . They only use something like 10 ma and honestly , I don't think your gonna be able to make a FCG light enough for that motor to run it .
But , if you do get that motor , and use for a FCG , and get it to work , please pst pics and a video . I know my FCG is too heavy for that motor

 

[The_Caretaker]

You can counter-balance the head and hands to reduce the amount of torque needed

 

[milemarker]

Not sure if I can recall ever seeing any FCG that was countered . Would you post a link to one that you know of , so we can view the building pics and or a video of it in action . Would like to see how they used counter weights where they are not visible , or in the way of movement .
Would be interesting to see one .
Thanks

 

[DaveintheGrave]

Hey milemarker, I think that was SurplusCenter.com that sold the similar motor for $3.00. I use the ones from electronic goldmine and they have quite a bit of torque. I'd recommend using a wall wart rated at 500 milliamps or more to power it. E.G. has those too for around $4.00. If imagineer's ghost is not too heavy it may work, just have to try it.
I found it:
https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009051208491402&item=5-1587&catname=electric

I still don't understand why they describe the motor as "intermittent duty". They are continuous as far as I know.

 

[The_Caretaker]

Saw one years ago can't find it now. But if i remember the weight was attached by a string that was attached to the skull and hands and went up through the eye/pulley and to another eye/pulley hanging behind the puppet, the weights were painted flat black. i am looking to do a FCG using a Bucky skull that I know I will need to counterweight I plan on documenting the build. Of course this only will happen if I can find a new job before I am laid off and don't have to move for a new one.

 

[eanderso13]

Funny, I actually made a new FCG this year using one of those $3 motors AND a counterweight!

The FCG is made from a Blucky torso with some toilet paper mache covering it, Bucky hands and a carved wighead as the skull:

It runs nice and smooth! the counterweight had to be added because the movement was a little slow when the crank arm was pulling and lifting the body of the ghost.

I'll try and get a video tonight if it doesn't rain...or I'll just get one inside.

Also, I may try anchoring his "tailbone" and seeing what kind of movement I can create that way...

 

[Imagineer]

I made a "hanging ghost" last year using the same ideas just not the mechanics and it weighed right at 5lbs. I used a styrofoam skull and 1/2" pvc for the arms. (I'll post a pic of it). If I use wire coat hangers, that will signifigantly cut the weight down.

Heres a link to my display last year where you can see the ghost...

 

[Meyers Madness]

Imagineer,
You can use really any motor that is slow, I have seen barbecue motors to dayton high dollar motors. I would just look for one that is slow.
I can tell you that the slower the better as in RPM's I mean. 5 RRM would be what I would look for.
You can probably adapt your linkage to any A/C motor, to run your FCG.
Look for an old ceiling fan out by someones curb.
Here is the motor that runs mine.

Electric Motors for Props - FCG Motor - Halloween Prop Building Supplies For The Home Haunter - Monster Guts

 

[partsman]

Not sure if I can recall ever seeing any FCG that was countered . Would you post a link to one that you know of , so we can view the building pics and or a video of it in action . Would like to see how they used counter weights where they are not visible , or in the way of movement .
Would be interesting to see one .
Thanks

milemarker, phantasmechanics has a great how to with the counter weight here:

The Flying Crank Ghost - Instructions, Part 2

 

[milemarker]

Thanks PARTSMAN ... I'm gonna have to give that one a try that way .
Hey MEYERS MADNESS ... thats ONE expensive motor there .

And IMAGINEER ... I do apologize , but , where is the pic of your FCG ? I honestly did not see it . ( would like to see one made with PVC pipe )

 

[kprimm]

I'm glad i decided to check this post, i have a dayton motor for my fcg and he runs beautifully. I didnt think there was a chance that a $3.00 motor would be able to run a fcg ghost. I thought possibly a small very light weight prop but not a FCG. I will have to buy a couple of these little motors to experiment with.
Being that cheap i can afford to play around a little bit.

 

[[email protected]]

Ya I have built 8 FCG's this year using something close to the dayton motor on the rigs.but I have a handful of those 3.00 motors to use somewhere but seeing that the work as FCG's I think I have to try a rig with one.Also I have used thin wooden dowels say 1/16th inch for the body and arms and it works good.

 

[Imagineer]

I would think wooden dowels that thin would snap easily. The idea of using wire coat hangers is super simple and they dont break during a storm.

Thanks for the clearification. Ive got tons of ideas to do this year including multiple FCG's possibly.

 

[eanderso13]

Here is a rather dark video of the movement of my new FCG using the $3 motor. My camera wouldn't take the vid from outside (this FCG is in my upstairs window) so I had to take it in the room right next to the rig.

Man, I gotta get a better way to do video!

 

[Imagineer]

And IMAGINEER ... I do apologize , but , where is the pic of your FCG ? I honestly did not see it . ( would like to see one made with PVC pipe )

In the back of some of the pics you can see it glowing. Its not a FCG, its just a glowing ghost... I didnt learn about FCG's until I had already had most of the yard haunt set up or I would have had the real thing instead of an imitation.

 

[Terra]

Here is a rather dark video of the movement of my new FCG using the $3 motor. My camera wouldn't take the vid from outside (this FCG is in my upstairs window) so I had to take it in the room right next to the rig.
FCG.flv video by NCchicka00 - Photobucket

Man, I gotta get a better way to do video!

I love the speed of your motor! I think the slower motor, the better and yours has the spookiest speed I've seen. Mine (Dayton motor) moves too fast for my liking: She's at 1:20 time stamp...

 

[partsman]

I love the speed of your motor! I think the slower motor, the better and yours has the spookiest speed I've seen. Mine (Dayton motor) moves too fast for my liking: She's at 1:20 time stamp...

Terra, at least yours doesn't look like it's having an epileptic fit, my first dayton was a mislabeled motor, it was supposed to be 6 RPM, but when I hooked it up I found it to be the 120 RPM model!!
I never knew a flying ghost could dance!!
I sent that motor back and got the right one.