Magnet-less DC Motor using the Earth's Magnetic field as a stator :)

This is something I built a while ago. I don' think there is anything similar on the web..

If interested in more details on construction etc. just ask


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbl-Igz913A

I have some strong tiny magnets. They are light enough that I can sit one on a piece of paper floating on water. In front of my eyes it turns itself so it faces North-South.

I can even put one on edge, on a smooth table, and it will turn by itself.

You made a remarkable and unique motor. I never imagined an entire coil of wire could be made to turn in the earth's magnetic field. I think it must be riding a nearly frictionless bearing?

There are secrets yet to be tapped, in the relationship between magnetism and electricity, that will continue to astound and amaze.

BradtheRad said:

You made a remarkable and unique motor. I never imagined an entire coil of wire could be made to turn in the earth's magnetic field. I think it must be riding a nearly frictionless bearing?

There are secrets yet to be tapped, in the relationship between magnetism and electricity, that will continue to astound and amaze.

Click to expand...

Actually there is no 'bearing' involved. The 'upper' half of the shaft is made of steel. It serves for two purposes; electrical terminal (could be positive or negative) and point of suspension. At the top there is a tiny magnet (circular maybe 3mm diameter) which is used to keep the armature touching it while keeping the friction as low as possible.

I am certain that this small magnet has no effect on the torque of the armature since, when I rotate the whole setup, the armature still responds to the same switching position .. (the earth's north and south).

It was very critical finding the correct voltage and wire gauge by trial and error. I used 12V from a small power supply (camera battery charger maybe 0.5A max).

I had in mind to add a position detector with an optical sensor (found in old computer mice) but I never implemented it.

It would be interesting if someone is to add an automatic switching circuit

Diagram;

I suppose it should work but like all generators it relies on the magnetic field shifting relative to the coil. If you could move it around the Earths poles 50 or 60 times a second you could be on to something. If you rotate the coil by other means you are only converting that energy to electricity.

Brian.

betwixt said:

I suppose it should work but like all generators it relies on the magnetic field shifting relative to the coil. If you could move it around the Earths poles 50 or 60 times a second you could be on to something. If you rotate the coil by other means you are only converting that energy to electricity.

Brian.

Click to expand...

50 to 60 times is a little bit impossible.. but if you find a way to increase the contact area on the upper terminal .. you could increase it to 10 times a second perhaps.