Small Fan

Intro: Small Fan

Small electric fan from spare parts.

STEP 1: Parts

What you will need:
- small electrical motor and its power supply (I used a 12v old typewriter motor)
- switch
- bridge (4diodes in case you have an AC power source)
- wire coat hanger
- 2 hose clamps
- bit of rubber tubing to fit over coat hanger wire
- a plastic case (vhs, dvd, console game)

STEP 2: Motor and Stand

- cut the wire hanger and bend it to look like a stand
- slip 4 cut pieces of rubber tubing over the wire hanger wire (they are used to absorb motor vibration and to stop the fan from moving by itself on smooth surfaces)
- put the two hose clamps over the motor and slip the stand wires underneath the clamps
- tighten the clamp and align the stand to look straight
- attach switch (and bridge rectifier if needed (small box below switch in photo))
- wire all components together
- test operation of motor and switch assembled

STEP 3: Fan Blade

- draw a simple blade on a plastic case
- cut the blade out, drill a small hole in the center of the blade
- cut 4 notches around center of blade
- twist blade to resemble a propeller
- force the blade onto the motor shaft (this is critical, because you want the blade to spin with the motor)
- test

Final notes:
Use of a plastic blade is safer then using a metal or wooden one, this way you don't need a shroud over the blade. 12v motor is ideal for several reasons: 1. You can use the fan in your vehicle or at home, 2. 12v gives enough power to have a small fan that is actually powerful enough to cool you off, 3. 12v motor is also small enough to make the whole fan less than 5"l x2"w x 7"h making it a mini fan. I have seen fan of this size that put out a fraction of wind and cost more.

Comments

[supergirlmia]

cool instructable work fine fine craft mens ship

[kx 60]

Cool I want to try that

[invert360]

you shoud add this to the steampunk group

[Idea Studio 22]

Thanks, I did, I have been a steampunk most of my life without knowing there is a term for it! :)

[jongscx]

OSHA, among others... Now, what current is going through those red and black wires trailing off? I'm hoping it's 12V coming from a wall transformer, because its terminals are awfully well exposed for 110V

[Idea Studio 22]

Yes, it's off of a 12v wall transformer.

[Oorspronklikheid]

I love this instructable because I wanted to do something very similar. I wanted to make a centrifugal pump.

[Idea Studio 22]

Have u got an idea how to make the case? I think that would probably be the hardest part.

[Oorspronklikheid]

Here is how i think the pump should be made.I have seen such a centrifugal pump.I color coded every thing to make it more clear.The pyramid like casing(marked in light blue) can be obtained from a 2L coke bottle.

[Idea Studio 22]

I have an idea for you: old dishwashers have a motor that has a water tight seal plus a propeller (or is it impeller) all you would need is the pump case with the inlet outlet. People throw away their dishwashers all the time you could probably do this whole thing for free.

[N6OZG]

Wow, just goes to show you what can come out of a box of spare parts. I don't think that OSHA would take a liking to this. Its just the kind of thing that looks like it belongs on your workbench.