Category Archives: Odd Projects

And more. Here are 118 more projects of mine. This section is a diverse mix of strange physics, electrical oddities, lasers, magnetic levitation, monster LEDs, radioactivity and bizarre substances.

Levitation by induction

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Alternating magnetic induce an eddy current and an opposing force.

Levitation by induction

To demonstrate levitation by induction, I have cut down a large transformer to allow an external field. It was 240 V to 110 V and rated at 2 kVA. I use the two windings in series. When run from DC it draws 15 A at 30 V or 450 W. This is enough to levitate a large NIB magnet about 17 cm away. This simple arrangement is not able to give stable levitation however but demonstrates the field strength.
“Continue reading” for further views and explanations. 4 photos and links…
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Measuring magnetic field strength

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Using direct force on an electromagnet for measuring magnetic field strength.
 Measuring magnetic field strength by direct force measurements

Here is my attempt at measuring magnetic field strength. To measure the field generated by the electromagnet above I made a coil that could be placed in the magnetic field.
“Continue reading” for measurements and results. 3 photos and links. Continue reading →

Electromagnets

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A big old electromagnet

Electromagnets don’t come bigger than this at my place. A big soft iron cored electromagnet is supporting a drill by the spade bit between the pole faces.
“Continue reading” for power levels and further information plus links…

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Magnetic viewing film

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A special film to view magnetic fields

Magnetic viewing film

Magnetic viewing film allows one to visualise magnetic fields easily. Of interest is the segmented field from the top magnet which is not apparent by just looking at it. The old AlNiCo bar magnet on the left has a very distorted field.
“Continue reading” for other examples,  4 photos and links.
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Magnetic field meter (Gaussmeter)

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Magnetic field meter (gauss meter)

This is a magnetic field meter or Gaussmeter which uses a UGN3503 Hall effect device to drive a meter. It shows the magnetic field sensor reading the strength (in Tesla’s) of a small horseshoe magnet. The meter is not yet calibrated so the reading is not correct.
“Continue reading” for circuit diagrams and specifications. 2 photos and links…
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Levitation of a coil

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A coil being levitated above a copper plate by eddy current repulsion

Eddy current repulsion can provide enough force to give levitation of a coil. The coil was out of a defibrillator output circuit. Don’t know number of turns but the inductance is 10 mH (I think). It is drawing 6.5 A at 100 V AC to get the lift of about 1/2 inch off a 1/4 inch copper plate. It is tethered like a conventional lifter. The power is over 600 W so gets hot quickly.
“Continue reading” for further examples and calculations. 5 photos and links….
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Magnetic Levitation Project

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Magnetic levitation project success with a magnet and metal tubeMy first magnetic levitation project setup lifting a NIB magnet working after a week of adjusting and testing. A NIB magnet with some metal pipe is supported motionless, 1 inch below the coil. “..look Ma, no hands..”
“Continue reading” for development of a display, circuits and components. 6 photos and links.

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Diamagnetism with Bismuth

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Diamagnetism with bismuthDiamagnetism with Bismuth stabilises levitation

Diamagnetic levitation using bismuth plates to stabilise the magnetic lift of one permanent magnet by another. This is the classical setup with a small cube magnet between two bismuth plates. “Continue Reading” to see the video, a cool Bismuth crystal, 6 photos and links…
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Argon Blue Laser with Galvanometers

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Argon multi-line blue laser driven by galvanometers

The “Beam me up, Scottie” effect with an argon blue laser.
“Continue reading” for more details about argon laser galvanometers with 11 photos. Continue reading →