I am very interested in scratch building a rotating sign similar to the Miller Engineering Signs (https://www.microstru.com/Rotating_signs.html). I have read many posts on the synchronous motors and using the AC terminals on your power pack to operate the rotating sign. I understand the building design of the sign and how to light it using an LED. My question is how to make sure I am purchasing the correct synchronous motor (similar to the Faller 180629). I see many inexpensive synchronous motors sale that are used for turntables in microwaves, etc., and not being an electrical expert, I want to make sure I am not going to blow everything up when I plug in the rotating sign. Any help/advice you can give is greatly appreciated.
If I was going to build a rotating sign or any thing that slowly rotates for that mater I would use a micro servo, There are several YouTube videos on how to modify a SG90 servo for full 360° rotation. You could use a cheapo servo tester to drive it or an Arduino to do fancy things with it.
Thank you Mel. I will do some research on the micro servo. I am not that great with electronics and wanted to keep it as easy as possible.
Thanks again,
Mike
If you go with a cheapo servo tester and a SG90 servo it will plug in to the tester without any mods. All it needs is 5 volts to run the servo. I did the 360° mod to a SG90 and it requires the servo being dissembled and soldering in a resistor.
The SG90 servos are pretty powerful and the speed and rotation (CW/CCW) can be changed by the controls on the tester. Can’t get any easier to do.
If you need any more info or help send me a PM.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
Don’t over complicate this. Just get yourself one of the old Switchmaster motors. These were Hankscraft display motors - purpose built for exactly what you want to do. Varying the DC voltage will vary the rotational speed. Hook it up to a cheap DC wallwart.
Here’s 6 of them for $30.
I’d check with the seller before buying the Hankscraft Motors, he states that he has more but only showing one. Make sure it’s 6 for $30 plus $14.17 shipping.
The servos can be had for under $1.50 off eBay (10 SG90s for $15 free S&H) and the servo testers are under $6.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
i built a rotating sign some time back using a motor out of a junked out clock 1 rpm max , the big problem i had was building the wiper as sign had 4 sections to it couldn’t find a wiper that was small enough so i had to make one.
I agree with carl. These are simple to hook up, and everything you need comes in the kit with the motor, except a double pull/double throw toggle (DPDT). These are sold new (and I think you can buy singles) from builders-in-scale.com as the SwitchMaster. From them, the motor comes with excellent instructions and a 1200 ohm resistor you solder to one of the leads, which results in a pretty slow rotation of the motor. If you want to slow it down more, just get a resistor with a high number. You might have to experiment on the bench a little to get the rotation speed you want, but it’s as easy a model railroading electrical effort as they get. I use them for turnouts and for an automated brakeman. Joel
Thanks to all who have answered my post. I am going to do some more research to which way would give me the best results.
Again thanks,
Mike