Electromagnetic Spinning Top

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This video shows a quick little project to make a top spin forever - or as long as the batteries last which in this case could be days. It is based on the work of Roger Wayne Andrews who patented the idea and named it "Novelty Electric Motor". The photo shows Andrew's patented ideas for the spinning top that has been used to produce a novelty toy that you can buy.

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In my version I use a simple little two transistor circuit described here: http://www.trainelectronics.com/Pendulum/article.h... I simply added two neodymium magnets to the bottom of a plastic top and then rotate this over a wire coil. When the magnet rotates toward the coil it triggers a transistor to supply power to the coil which then repulses the magnet as it rotates over the coil. It doesn't do much but spin but it should run for days on a set of batteries and shows the power of adding a little bit of energy to a flywheel device. Hope you enjoy the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5wpZy5hbkc

Spinning Top

Thanks. I really look forward to your posts.

Thank you. I don’t know why

Thank you. I don’t know why I do this stuff. I was a computer programmer for many years too; started punching cards as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malawi in 1984 and then a few years with DOD (mostly a waste of time) then with marketing companies until I finally decided to quit it all and teach English in China which is where I have been the last 9 years.

I guess I do it cause I need to solve some problem, even a miniscule useless one.

I miss the old guys they used to have here on LMRs.

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Old guys

I miss much of the activity, none of the rudeness. I also started with punched cards but do not miss them!!!