I am an artist with a specific need for a device that can rotate a shaft slowly and extremely quietly. I’ve looked on line on forums and product websites, but have found quite conflicting (and old?) information and hope you can help me. I’ve used battery powered clock mechanisms in the past and tapped into the shaft of the second hand, but the torque ability of the plastic gears in the clock is EXTREMELY small. I’m rotating an object that is only a few ounces and I’ve found only one manufacturer/model that can sort of work. Even so, I can tell it won’t last long. That won’t do.
Absolute necessity:
Quiet. I prefer to not be able to hear anything coming from the project at 2’ away.
Slow. Needs to rotate at 1-3 rpm
Low V. It must be battery powered (preferably through this: Adafruit Universal USB / DC / Solar Lithium Ion/Polymer charger [bq24074] : ID 4755 : $14.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits which limits output to <=4.7V DC)
Continuous Operation. It will run 24/7
Desires:
Small. I’m flexible with the geometry, but hopefully it (and whatever gearbox/beltdrive and controller systems) would fit within a 3" x 3" x 3" or 2" x 2" x 4" space.
Simple. Plug and play would be great. So if a controller is needed, it should be a stand alone unit.
Can you please point me in the right direction? Should I be looking at a brushless DC motor with worm gears? A stepper with microstepper controller? Continuous servo? Piezo motor? DC powered Nitinol motor? Other?
…and yes I expect that sound deadening around the motor will be part of the plan. I would like to start with the quietest (and reasonable) option and go from there.
If you can help me, I would greatly appreciate it.