How to let something spin in water without moving ?
Ok, first ill explain what I have built, and excuse me if it already exists, I can't even think of how to google/name it.
A can floats in water, there is a candle in the can.
On top of the can there is a propeller which is stuck to the can.
The hot air rises and lets the fan (and therefore the whole can) spin.
The power is very little and the can tends to move to a side of the bowl and that friction stops it.
Is there a balance problem ?
Is the not perfect propeller working like a sail and therefore pushing it to the side ?
What could I do to let the can stay perfectly in the middle while spinning ?
Thanks in advance.
Discussions
Best Answer 3 years ago
Put a little magnet in or under the bottom of the pan, it should keep the can centred.
Steve
3 years ago
You could make a make-shift anchor out of string and a weighted object of some sort.
3 years ago
@rickharris
The fan is conected to the can, the whole thing spins, and that part works, but sadly the can floats to the side of the container and rubbing against the side is enough to stop it.
@yonathan
I'm using a tea light, its warmth is "low" and the fan is from a conserve can, so it wont melt.
Answer 3 years ago
Put a little magnet in the bottom of the pan, it will keep the can centred.
Answer 3 years ago
So simple haha, I havent thought about that.
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3 years ago
Assuming the fan is a much lower mass than the can it is far more likely that the can stays still and the fan rotates.
I guess your trying to do something like the angel Christmas decoration we have.
The water is so viscous it will be very hard to get the can to rotate.
best option is put a small propeller on the side of the can.
3 years ago
The hot air that rises from the candle might melt the propeller (fan)...
Can you use batteries to power the fan?
3 years ago
Photo please