Embellish Your Models
1. MICRO MOTOR
There are a huge range of modern, metal geared motors available. For me the greatest value come from China.
Speeds available:
Voltages available:
Current:
Dimensions:
Efficient & Powerful
They are remarkably efficient and run almost perfectly silent -obviously if attached to a sheet of metal/wood/plastic that will act as a sounding board.
Disclaimer
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2. MICRO ROTATING BEACON
In the past I’ve paid £20 for some very well made beacons. However by far the best I’ve found recently are these:
Colours:
Power*:
Current:
Dimensions:
*Only Two Wires Needed
To conform to radio control standards three wires are supplied. The yellow ‘C’ wire can be cut and then + = red and - = brown. Can I suggest putting a tiny signal diode in series to protect against inadvertent polarity reversal (remember this will drop 0.6v).
Click for video
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3. MICRO STEP DOWN REGULATOR
I produce my own electronic circuits but I can’t make these for this price. I use them for running small low voltage motors off 9-12v.
Power in:
Output:
Dimensions:
Limited Heatsink
The heatsink is tiny. Therefore I suggest that dissipation, (Vin-Vout) x Iout, is no more than 5W or 9W if you attach it to another piece of metal. Ideally make the input voltage only a little higher than the output voltage.
Delivery Times & Costs
Obviously delivery times vary upon a wide range of factors. When I buy from China expected delivery time is normally 8 days but do check when you place the order.
Delivery costs are usually very fair but often don’t vary linearly -so you may be charged the same amount whether ordering 1 or 10 ! Take care.
Most ads are placed by suppliers not the root manufacturers. If delivery time or cost are unreasonable shop around -I’ve never yet found a product that is unique to one supplier.
This page will be updated with more items from time to time.
Last update: 13/10/2023
Switches, Connectors, Heatshrink Sleeving, Prototyping Systems, Etc
I have no connection with AliExpress other than I’ve used them for 12 years and have never had any issues with any product ever. If you need something and are prepared to wait just a few days you can get items for 1/4 to 1/100th the price of equivalent European or other suppliers. Price differences reflect variations in exchange rates - these may go up as well as down. Remember they want to sell to you and price is everything so they do not want to put you off by overcharging.
15, 30, 50, 60, 100, 200, 300, 500, 1000rpm.
3, 6 or 12vdc.
Eg 12v motor at: no load - full load: Running at 6v: 15-30mA; Running at 12v: 30mA - 50mA.
35 x 12 x 10mm Fixings: 2 x M2
Simulated rotating leds available in ultrabright colours: Blue, Red or Orange.
1.3 - 6.0vdc (dim below 4v)
Running at 4.8v: 24mA; running at 6.0v: 37mA
⦰10 x 15mm
40vdc max
1.5 - 37v @ 1.5A max
35 x 17 x 22mm Fixings: 2 x 3mm
4. JOYSTICK MOTOR CONTROLLER
This seems too good to be true but it works. I haven’t yet built an X-Y version.
Power in:
Output:
Dimensions:
It Shouldn’t Overheat
This controller uses highly efficient PWM chopping. At the top end of its voltage range and at slow speeds the heatsink (~15W) may get quite warm. If this is the case then light ventilation will be needed.
Useful Tip
This is a single channel. A separate X-Y joystick (2 x 10-100kΩ) may be connected to two of these control boards to give two dimensional control on one stick.
6-32vdc max
0-100% @ 3A max
Main board: 78 x 46 x 24mm Joystick: 30 x 30 x 33mm All fixings: 3mm
Purchasing
Available at: AliExpress: Multi-function LED Lamp /Flashing/Rotating Light In Sept 2023 I paid: £2.08 but I notice that they have recently gone up to £3.
Purchasing
Available at: AliExpress: GA12-N20 Micro Metal Gear Motor In Sept 2023 I paid: £1.66
Purchasing
Available at: AliExpress: LM317 DC-DC Converter Buck Step Down Circuit Board Module -Adjustable In Sept 2023 I paid: £0.50ea
Purchasing
Available at: AliExpress: DC 12~30V 3A PWM Motor Speed Controller with overcurrent protection In July 2022 I paid: £6.50ea. They are currently: £8.50.
5. EDGE-TRIGGERED LATCHING RELAY
A momentary earth on the trigger pin changes the state of the relay -simples !
Power in:
Output:
Dimensions:
Yes, one could make one’s own self-latching relay but you will use up one set of NO contacts and will need to provide circuitry for de-latching. This does it beautifully all in one for a rather competitive price. Please note that the website says 5v operation but as it has a 7805 regulator onboard this needs the volt drop of a standard PN junction to operate.
Useful Tip
The T input is sensitive up to 50kΩ. Thus I put the opto-sensor shown between T and 0v and it triggered the relay perfectly making it ideal for optical limit switches etc.
6-24vdc (Abs minimum 5.7v)
DPDT 5A max
Main board: 40 x 33 x 22mm Three fixings: 3mm
Purchasing
Available at: AliExpress: DPDT Self-locking Switch Bistable Relay In October 2023 I paid: £2.07ea. They are currently: £2.11.
