help with my first Bedini SSG circuit

[Neight]

thanks for the info N O G, much appreciated!!
I wound up another bifiler coil. I didn't have a spool with those exact dimensions, but i used one that is pretty close. I still don't get any spin unless i am manually triggering the power coil, but when i do that with my new coil, i get more powerful movement, so that is one step in the right direction. still can't figure why it is self oscillating, or why i have to manually trigger the coil, but i am moving in the right direction everyday, so that counts for something

i have posted another update video on youtube.
here is the link -
YouTube - learning what not to do...
enjoy!!
and thanks for all the help so far, i will get this down, then it's on to the next step!!

[zapjosh]

I

If any need help building a bedini motor you can look at the video!

YouTube - How to make a Bedini Motor ( ssg )

[Neight]

Thanks to zapjosh for the info post!!
I had actually seen that video before, and understand how to put the circuit and motor together, but so far i am still gathering the proper parts to fully build it. I have built a small one, and it is not working, so that is what i am looking for here

also, today i found x4 - 6V lead acid batteries from an old power wheels toy. they are all nearly dead and i don't have the original charger for them, so i decided to try an experiment!!
I hooked the batteries up in series to make x2 - 12v batteries and i have hooked those up to the circuit i have, which does charge batteries even though the motor wont spin. I am going to see if i can take the minimal charge they have on them, and bring them back to life. I am going to run one of them dead (it's not taking long, the power battery is already reading only 4.7mV down from 600, while the charge battery is reading 690mV which is up from 600
i will switch the batteries out and see if they charge up to a full 12 volts over a series of cycles!! I have no idea is this is even possible, but it's fun to try, since i am still waiting on magnets to make my motor work. if this does work, hopefully by the time i have my magnets, i will also have these batteries charged and running!! free energy from free batteries, can't beat that :P
thanks again for the info
N8

[Watson]

oh and....
wanted to post another question as well, but nearly forgot.
I had some serious problems soldering anything to the collector of the transistor i am using. it is a 2N3055 and the solder wouldn't stick to it very well. so, again i am sure i am missing something here, but like i said, very VERY new at this. i have a variable power soldering pen, and i am using it on a low temp setting. and i am using .032 60/40 rosin core solder. if i should be using something different please let me know, because it was a real problem getting the solder to stick to the collector.
thanks again, in advance for any help anyone can offer

The metal package acts like a heatsink and conducts the heat away from the solder joint faster than the soldering iron can supply heat. The answer is to use a 6-32 by 3/8 inch or M3 by 9mm screw and nut, and two washers. clamp the wire between the washers and tighten the screw snugly. The washers help keep the wire from breaking at the point where they are clamped. You don't really need a heatsink for the 2N3055, but you can if it's available. Just make sure the transistor (and heatsink if you're not using an insulator) is insulated from shorting to other things.

I've used sockets but you shouldn't need one if you are careful and don't burn out the transistor.

[Neight]

Thanks Watson!
That helps quite a bit in the meantime i was able to apply just a bit more heat to the solder and got it to stick finally, but it was a trick to do it and keep the heat on the transistor as low as possible. for my next one, i think i will screw the contact down with a wire, then solder to the wire instead of the transistor.
I am still not working, but I am getting a pretty good idea of why, and I am changing a few things as i get the parts i need. I will likely post another update video soon, and maybe the next one will be working.
one thing that is nice about starting with the SSG circuit is, getting it to run correctly has been a class in troubleshooting electronics!! lots of people with help and advice, and lots of things to learn on a relatively simple device. I truly appreciate all the help i have gotten on this forum and on youtube!
thanks!!
N8

[Neight]

It's Working!!

Ok, my magnets finally came in today, and some of the one's i got were 1/2" x 1/8" disc magnets. I put those on the end of the ceramics i already had and gave the rotor a spin. It didn't start up right away, but with a few spins and playing with the pot some, it fired right up, and spun up so fast, it knocked itself right off the platform i had it on!! (I am working now on smaller power so it doesn't spin so fast, and coming soon a better rotor setup so it's much more stable )
I am incredibly excited, and should have a video of it working up soon on my youtube channel. (just need to take care of that pesky stability problem, so it's not quite so dangerous )
Thanks to everyone who has given their advice on here and my other post!! Even though the problem did wind up being the magnets, checking out the other potential issues that were suggested to me was a much better learning experience than i would have had if it worked the first time!!
I am sure i will have more questions as i move forward, but for now...
THANK YOU!!
N8

[dR-Green]

Glad you got it working, it sounds good. Well done

[blackchisel97]

At least with those circuits you know that they'll work. It can get a bit more frustrating when you tread into something unknown.
Try to get this rotor stable. Poorly behaving or plain dangerous rotor can affect your work, your thinking and requires much more patience. This relation is inverted logarithmic Is there such term
Good job


Vtech

[Neight]

Thanks for the comments dR-Green and blackchisel97!! both of you guys and several others were enormously helpful in getting this to work!

I have made my youtube video, here is the link -
YouTube - IT'S ALIIIIIIVE!!!!!

I changed my rotor setup, using the platform of a computer DVD drive, and taped it all down really well, and it is much more stable!! It is working great, and next i am going to tune and test it, see what i am putting in and getting out. There is still so much for me to learn (like how to test input and output, tuning, and various other things....) but i am really excited to at least be this far right now

I am going to build a much better rotor according to the instructions from John Bedini, with the bike wheel and ceramic magnets, and again, will have to wait on a few more things to come in the mail for that one...

either way, I at least know now that i have correctly set up my motor, and can at least start using what i have to learn how better to use and improve it!!

Thanks again for the help and suggestions, I honestly couldn't have done this without it!!
N8

[blackchisel97]

@Neight
Just a word of advice; watch your output wires and make sure the are connected. 3055 will not survive hv spike if they become loose. It is rated at 60V, if I remember well.


Vtech

[Neight]

Thanks for the tip blackchisel97! At this point I am being very careful with everything. I feel like I have good momentum going now, and don't want to kill it by having to rebuild this one. I have some ideas I would like to try on a small scale and think this setup would be a good one to try with. I am going to build the bigger model with a bicycle tire so it is a bit more substantial and could handle more power and RPM too!!
There is still soooo much to learn, but that makes it all the more exciting!
thanks
N8

[blackchisel97]

Thanks for the tip blackchisel97! At this point I am being very careful with everything. I feel like I have good momentum going now, and don't want to kill it by having to rebuild this one. I have some ideas I would like to try on a small scale and think this setup would be a good one to try with. I am going to build the bigger model with a bicycle tire so it is a bit more substantial and could handle more power and RPM too!!
There is still soooo much to learn, but that makes it all the more exciting!
thanks
N8

When you look for a bike wheel take a small magnet with you and check if the rim is not magnetic. Most newer bikes are ok since their rims are aluminum alloy or even better - plastic, such as some BMX bikes. Spokes are magnetic but that's ok. Also, you'll need a bigger magnets - Ceramic Magnets C8 1 7/8"X7/8"X3/8" Hard Ferrite Magnets :: Ceramic...


Vtech

[Neight]

When you look for a bike wheel take a small magnet with you and check if the rim is not magnetic. Most newer bikes are ok since their rims are aluminum alloy or even better - plastic, such as some BMX bikes. Spokes are magnetic but that's ok. Also, you'll need a bigger magnets - Ceramic*Magnets*C8*1*7/8"X7/8"X3/8"*Hard*Ferrite*Magnets :: Ceramic...


Vtech

Thanks for reminding me about the bike wheel not being magnetic. I dug an old bike wheel out of my shed yesterday, and forgot to check it with a magnet. it won't work, but fortunately I do have a bike shop almost right around the corner from my house, so that is easy enough to remedy I will also check the net for something cheep on freecycle maybe.
And I have ordered some ceramics that are grade 8 and match those dimensions, hoping those will be here by the end of this week, but it will more than likely be next week.
again, great advice and thanks!
N8

[blackchisel97]

Thanks for reminding me about the bike wheel not being magnetic. I dug an old bike wheel out of my shed yesterday, and forgot to check it with a magnet. it won't work, but fortunately I do have a bike shop almost right around the corner from my house, so that is easy enough to remedy I will also check the net for something cheep on freecycle maybe.
And I have ordered some ceramics that are grade 8 and match those dimensions, hoping those will be here by the end of this week, but it will more than likely be next week.
again, great advice and thanks!
N8

You probably know already that bike bearings are terrible and it is hard to get decent "free wheel time" unless you clean them from factory grease and apply couple drops of good lubricant. However, what I did was to tighten nuts to assure that axle moves together with wheel and found good ceramic bearings which would fit over threaded part. In this case I had wheel rotating on those bearings while the original ones were immobilized.
Another option is to machine both threaded ends of the shaft (someone with lathe will get this done in couple min.) down to the dia. which will allow other bearings to be pressed on. In one setup I used roller skate ceramic bearings from eBay. They were $10 for the set of 4 (if I remember well). Also, when you get your magnets mounted check the entire armature for balance. Easy way to balance is by wrapping few turns of copper wire on the spokes or even a drop or two of hot glue. Just as they balance new tire in the car.
Ah, one more thing: I've seen some folks mounting magnets on the tire. It is difficult to adjust the gap and almost impossible to mount them on the rubber so they are on precise circumference. Since they are brittle it is better to make something (out of wood or aluminum) like a holder with flat surface the magnet will rest on. Trying to clamp (tie strings) magnet to the rim is not the best idea. Good glue and strong tape around the wheel (nylon enforced tape) works well or something like a magnet holder allowing to have 3 surfaces being glued. I've never witness flying saucers but I've seen flying magnets.


Vtech

[Neight]

Thanks for the tip on the bearings! I was considering some options on what to do there. I have actually been working part time as a sales rep for a specialized lubricant company for the last several years. they make some excellent products that I was going to put into the wheel bearings to help them spin more freely. I really don't know how to machine parts, but I know a few people who might be able to help me. If i can't get the bearing spinning free i will definitely check out the roller skate option you mentioned!
and great ideas on how to balance the wheel, that was something else I was considering, but really didn't know what to do with that one. your ideas of small bits of wire makes a lot of sense and would be really easy to do.
If you have any photos or a video showing the magnet holder you described, I would like to see them. unfortunately, i learn best visually, so that makes the photos and videos I have looked at immense help. when i try and picture something just from word descriptions, I tend to over think things
I can picture what you have described, but something to look at would be great just to make sure I got it down
as always, thanks! You are great with simple solutions to a lot of the issues I have been thinking about, and I can't tell you how much it is appreciated!!
N8