This is a project that I built this in '06 and it is still running. It is called a Mendocino motor and it totally powered by the sun and does not store electricity in a battery but uses it right now. It only runs when the sun is out. The frame is made from red oak and a the armature is wrapped around balsa wood with an aluminum tube shaft and a hardened point . The spindle is levitated so it pushes forward toward the mirror which is the front bearing. There are no shaft bearings because it is levitated between the magnets on the shaft and the fixed magnets- friction free!! The big center block magnet is the "field". The magnets and solar cells were from Radio Shack.
It is a typical DC electric motor that I wound so when the one solar cell powered magnet goes past center the polarity is reversed to push and thus keeps the motor spinning. Turn it around and it turns in the opposite direction. As the sun gets brighter, it spins all the faster.
It has no real purpose except a great conversation piece and demonstration model for a solar motor. I was given the plans from a guy I talked to while buying V belts on line.
I made this video of it in 2017 after it has been running for 11 years and it is still running in 2023
cheers, Jim
Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day
That is a fascinating project Jim. Are the Mendocino Motors used in models at all. Perhaps to drive something to entertain kids. Maybe a model Ferris Wheel? Regards......Cliff.
CLIFF OLSEN commented about 1 hour ago new That is a fascinating project Jim. Are the Mendocino Motors used in models at all. Perhaps to drive something to entertain kids. Maybe a model Ferris Wheel? Regards......Cliff.
Solly HhitJJ... imagine this combined with Automata on Display... the moon would be in your backyard!
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
Thank you for all the nice comments. A motor like this might run a fan given enough electromagnetic force. It was just cool to see if I could make it work. I have been working a V-gate magnetic motor for years but have not been able to get it to be self sustaining. There are no plans that I could find but I do see them running continuously...that may be smoke and mirrors..I don't know........ but it is fun trying and I have bought hundreds of rare earth magnets..........Cheers,Jim
Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day
