Altoids Fan

This is the instructable for a simple circuit portable fan. this is a great way to start practicing with circuitry and is really simple. this works especially best when it is hot out and all you have to do is go into your pocket and take out this mini portable fan.


What you will need is:

- An empty altoids tin - this will store everything
- A 9V battery with a snap connector
- A 9V motor with a fan (aka. the blades) that fits well on the motor head
- JB Weld - to secure the motor... etc. in the altoids tin
- A paper plate and plastic knife or tongue depresser - to mix the jb weld
- A switch - to turn on and off
- An exacto knife and pliers or soldering iron - to connect wires


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=480WMloIu3s

Step 1: Measuring and Cutting the holes

With a marker or sharpie, mark out where the motor will be coming out of and where the switch will be mounted in. Then cut with your exacto knife a hole for the switch and motor to fit "snugg." Now check if your motor and switch fit well and make any adjustments. Also test your motor and 9V battery to see if the motor works and if your battery still has power.

Comments

[juanp]

you should add a solar panel

[blackcat2]

I was thinking on doing so, now I just gotta get a solar panel! :D

[Pfarmkid]

add wheels for extra fun

[blackcat2]

lol! thats true, then it could be a little race car powered by the fan! thanks!

[yiami]

Oh, You will switch a short circuit?? Why???
Is it necessary to discharge the battery or you will test the contact resistor of the switch?

[blackcat2]

No... not a short circuit, a small circuit, as in... a small test to make sure the switch turns the motor on and off. Sorry for the confusion. :)

[erik.chr]

OK, - your circuit will work, but your battery will not last for long. When you rock the switch the motor stops (battery shortcut) and when you rock the switch the other way, the motor will run again. (but don't wait too long, or there is no more power on your battery)

May I suggest, that you insert the switch on one of the wires from battery to motor. I'm sure, the battery will last longer.

[blackcat2]

Thanks for the input! The battery truly didn't last very long and this could help a lot!

[Honigeintopf]

If you will conenct it like in step 2 the Fan will be powerd all the time...

[blackcat2]

No... it will only be powered if the battery is connected, in other words... after you are done using the fan, unplug the battery from the 9V snap connector, then re-attach the battery if you need to use the fan again.

[A flyin muffin]

Then what is the point of the switch?

[blackcat2]

When I said to take out the battery, it's only because I used a 5V motor with a 9V battery, so it started to overheat if you kept the battery in it for long enough, but if you use a 9V motor with the 9V battery, then you can use the switch to turn it on and off. Sorry for the confusion.

[Honigeintopf]

It will be Power off, becouse you bridge the circuit. In case of this your battery will overheat and be destroyed.

Sorry for bad englisch, im tired :D

[gruffalo child]

When I was 10 I did something similar, but I used a model airplane propeller and very nearly cut my finger off!!!

[dungeon runner]

Jeepers!

[blackcat2]

i had the same problem in the beginning but i found a broken m&ms fan and so i used the fan blades which were made out of foam and inevitably very strong

[battle]

i'm making one myself

[blackcat2]

good luck! ohh and just a tip, im going to try to mod it by making it run by a solar panel, which not only saves the battery consumption but also makes sense, because it would be best to use this outside on a hot day, so why not use the solar panel because then you dont have to do any work yourself supplying the energy.