Building A Wind Farm for my Tombstone Layout

That is a "Cool" idea for sure.

You just gave me an idea for making my wind turbines to possible turn.

I wonder if we can slow those motors down to be more realistic of an actual wind mill.??

Im gonna go buy a few to experiment.

Brian

Not to be a wet blanket, but it's unlikely you can maintain a realistic, say, 10 RPM by simply adjusting the voltage.  It has to do with the speed-torque capability of such DC can motors.  Additionally, if you could find a sweet-spot voltage that maintains a slow RPM, that when you first apply that voltage it would not be enough to start the rotation.

By all means give it a whirl (after all we're talking $1!), but if you're determined consider a DC gearmotor which would be in the, say, $5 range.  A gearmotor or gearbox in the 100:1 range would be a good starting point; this lets the motor itself run at, say, 1000 RPM where it will better hold a constant speed.  Depending on your specific windmill, you might find the biggest challenge is fabricating a coupler/mating between motor and blade shaft so that you don't have wobble (aka shaft runout).

If you post some closeup photos showing what you're trying to spin and how much space you have I'll make additional comments.

I have a different idea:

Leave the fans intact, hide them behind buildings or bushes and use them to make wind for REAL windmills.   (Just an out-of-the box thought).

Lots of good ideas here.  I'm working on a large turbine using the same motor. Using pic pipe that the fan casing slips into and a wooden base to make it stand up.  I'm thinking I can make the blades from heavier shoped wood so that it slows the motor down. I don't plan on running it that much that it will damage the motor.  I like the idea for using the fan to move foliage or maybe even getting some flames to wave.  I also like the idea that they are already encased in a frame work that is very versatile.

Stan2004

Thanks for the input.

I have been fooling with different types of motors found in several old toys.

I have a few with tiny shafts on them so i was thinking of using thick rubbet bands to slow the rpm down.

Been real busy at work..

I will keep you posted.

Btw..i could not find those fans in my dollar store.

Clerk told me they will be in stock soon.

You could always try this motor at 2 RPM.

http://www.sciplus.com/p/230VA...ING-MOTOR-2-RPM_5316

I agree with Stan, I think it will be challenging to get a standard motor to turn that slowly and reliably.

If it were my project, I think I would make the turbine mast hollow and run a string belt through it to an erector set motor or an old rotisserie motor located underneath the layout. That would be much easier than trying to locate special motors and gears and coupling at the top of the turbine. All you would need at the top is a shaft with a pulley. Would not be easy to move, though. 

Novel project idea.

Btw, is that a K-Line porter running there?

I love the looks of that little engine. Too bad nobody makes it nowadays.

I'd buy one in a heartbeat if only I could find one. Luv it, luv it, luv it!!!

mike g. posted:

You could always try this motor at 2 RPM.

http://www.sciplus.com/p/230VA...ING-MOTOR-2-RPM_5316

I wouldn't try that as it requires 230V AC to operate.   Also, 30 seconds per revolution might be a bit slow but to each his own.

BrianEso posted:

I have been fooling with different types of motors found in several old toys.

I have a few with tiny shafts on them so i was thinking of using thick rubbet bands to slow the rpm down.

I have one of those Stan, even at low voltages, it has gobs of torque at the output shaft.  It runs at 10 RPM at 1.5 volts, the lowest my supply wanted to go.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I have one of those Stan, even at low voltages, it has gobs of torque at the output shaft.  It runs at 10 RPM at 1.5 volts, the lowest my supply wanted to go.

Good info!  

Note the front plate has 2 conveniently positioned threaded screw mounting holes though they're undoubtedly metric.  Many times motor assemblies re-purposed from an old toy will have inconvenient or lack in a practical mounting method.  Again, I think the mounting/coupling is the issue.  Providing a suitable voltage will be the easy part.