I have plans to (try) and motorize my current project, and actually ordered motors from www.allelectronics.com. They were the mini buzzer motors, DCM-204 CAT#. Unfortunatly, small they may be, but they have absolutly NO torque at all. With what I’ve got, they won’t work. Not even a chance.
Herein lies my problem. (Other than a broken propeller shaft, but that’s another story) What I need is a larger motor. However, the space I have to put them in is (at most) .6 inches wide. And of course the next largest size from this company is too big!
What’s even worse is that they used to have a motor that would work perfectly, the ones that Swanny plans to use. Unfortunaly, they’ve been sold out for the last 8 months, with little hope of getting restocked! (DCM-166)
I’ve even toyed with the idea of asking someone else if they have any spares of this motor, but becuase I need eight of them, I seriously doubt I could get them all. Even so, I really don’t have anything to give in return. To top it off, I’m not even sure forum policy allows this!
This whole thing is really driving me crazy. Does anyone know of a good online company that sells DC motors that are about this size, have at least minimal torque, and are reletivly cheap? (As I’ve said, allelectronics is a bust. So a company other than that is appreciated.)
Thanks for actually reading this. Any help on top of that is duly appreciated! [V] [sigh]
I have tons of DC electric motors left over from my R/C days but they are much larger than that. You are welcome to some if you want them though.
Could you not use a larger motor and install it somewhere else with a flexible shaft going to where you need the drive? Instead of using 8 individual motors (assuming they are all in the same project) I think I’d look at some gearing (which would multiply your torque) and flexible shafts.
Thanks for the advice. Gears I have thought of, but there’s not much room for any of a useful size. And alas, flexible shafts have been tried, to no avail. This is actually the largest area inside the wing.
I read something about using vibrating pager motors for model aircraft,I believe they can be found at Radio shack???I think that they may be very close to the ones that you’ve looked into.
Speaking of Radio Shack Mike. You might want to take a look at their Zip Zap Micro RC cars. Last time I was in there they were selling packages of motors for these things and they are tiny (I have a similar micro RC and the motor is 1/4" dia.) but If they can push these little cars around they should be able to turn your props. Probably more pricey than what you were hoping for but hey If that’s your only option…
You also might find some other brand cheap micro RC cars or whatever in Walmart or other discount stores.
[8-] Eurieka! [8-] (Is that how you spell it? Hm…) Thank you, b6dan, you have just solved my problem. At www.sciplus.com I was able to find the same exact motor that I needed, the 166! Verses the AllElectronics price it’s a little steeper, but it’s the same I paid for the motors I currently have.
I knew I’d get something. Thanks, all! [swg] (Does a little happy dance inside head.)