Muller Dynamo

[Scorch]

Thank you for the compliment.
Soldering is a skill that can be improved over time.
I learned to solder when I was just 6 years old in 1969.
And, a few years later, I helped my dad build a heathkit GR-2000 color TV that had lots of circuit boards.
Just like this monster-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34737609@N07/sets/72157613423708701/with/3270500706/

So keep practicing.
Building an old school color TV, from a kit, might help. 

I recently discovered a much better method for cleaning the iron.
Look for a tip cleaner that looks like a pot scrubber.
This is far superior to the old wet sponge.

And, yes, you definitely need a good iron.
I am currently using a weller WLC100.

Check the security of your tip. If its not screwed in tight, or the set screw, or nut, is loose, it won't reach proper temperature. And you may need to clean the tip with a file or sand paper.

I do intend to get an inductance meter eventually.

The scope I have is an Instek GDS-1042 like this-
http://www.tequipment.net/InstekGDS-1042.html
It's discontinued but there are plenty of good deals out there.

}:>

I know what you mean about admiring the things we build

Looking good there Scorch, nice soldering, i am crap at soldering but i do have a rubbish iron that takes ages to melt the solder, so hopefully things ill improve when i get a higher quality iron.

I got a cheap inductance meter from ebay that i've tested against a friends good quality one and the difference is less than 0.25%.

It's useful to ensure that all your coils' properties are as close as you can get them.

What scope do you have ?

I was using my soundcard and a DIY probe, then i ordered one of those 2-channel/8KHz cheapies from China.

Turns out it doesn't do negative voltages, just goes from 0-5V, and it doesn't even zoom in on the waveform !

Guess i should have read the manual ;+}


All the best,

DC.

[Scorch]

Decided to try actually running it today.
It does run so my build of the hall switch actually works.

But, as expected, not getting much RPM on just one coil pair and very small magnets in the timing disk.
I actually had it running much faster with the mechanical switch.

So I am still working on that and think I am just going to have to learn more about arduino controllers.
It's either that or spend a lot of time, and money, on trial and error attempts with different hall, and timing disk configurations.
It's going to be best just to have a programmable controller for this thing.

And I do have an arduino kit, and book, on the way.
I found an arduino "starter kit" with LOTS of interesting extras including digital displays, servos, sensors, etc. and even a remote control; so I ordered that just to have lots of stuff to experiment with.
See: www.amzn.com/B009OVKUII/
Amazon shows it as "unavailable", right now, but you should be able to find elsewhere for around $60.
Should be here tomorrow. Hope it is as described.

I did go ahead and produce a new video of my new work space and this device running.
See: http://youtu.be/hOlOxohhnJE

[Magluvin]

Hey Scorch

Nice. 

Just because it doesnt go faster, yet, doesnt mean the same amount of input power was used. Yet.

The mechanical switching may have had a longer on time. So try to get the hall closer to the trigger mags to see if you get a longer on time.

It would be good to have a scope. Ive found that not all mags are the same. I have some N52 1/2x3/8 round that have stronger fields on one side than the other. Like they were not magnetized perfectly center. I had to turn measure, tune measure, mark and match sets to get things close. PM motor project.

http://www.overunity.com/9103/magluvins-magnet-motor-mmm-being-released-for-open-source-developement/#.UP816PJRrK0

Still had problems getting equality all the way around.

So if you have a scope, you will be able to see any differences in time on and off for each mag and adjust them. 

Mags

[DeepCut]

Scorch, you should return that Arduino and buy the new Arduino Leonardo, the price is only a little more but it logs data to the PC without any extras and it is a proper USB device not USB pretending to be old serial connection.

Believe me, it's well worth it just for the data-logging but there are other enhancements too :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_jSDE8fsC4&list=PLGxHYXPQmsI8qgeLCyoNHC3wri7YSnMvp&index=3


All the best,

DC.

[DeepCut]

Scorch, i forgot to say, about driving the rotor, why don't you drive it with an inductor, like Robert Adams used too and John Bedini copied in the SSG ?


DC.