looking for reindeer motor(s).

[CB_Christmas]

I recently found some cool how-tos and need to pick up a few deer motors. since i cant find any locally or online (they were sold outmad:) im hoping someone could help. thanks in advance!

[Just Whisper]

I am not at home so I do not have my links handy. But I think lots of us buy our reindeer motors from the same 2 places online. I found one of them on the hauntforum: http://www.cwebdirect.com/noname1.html Someone have the other web address? They should probably be getting new stock in soon as fall approaches. They were sold out when I tried to order last spring. I had to wait a couple months. Also, we get a lot of them from resale shops, yard sales and after Christmas sales when the actual reindeer are dirt cheap. Then take the motor out.

[Elvira]

I wonder if a fan motor would work?

[theedwin]

CB, My advice would be to be patient.

I pick them up year round at the thrift stores, and the after Christmas sales as Just Whisper said. I have never bought one online, so I don't know about that route. (I don't even have a link to an online source except for the one that Just Whisper just posted..)

To me they are invaluable and I use them quite often, but I often times recycle the ones I have from props I made before with them.

Good luck with your hunt!

Edwin

[DanoNJ]

I'm interested in some of the 'how to's' ! What's up your sleeve?? One thing here is that you can never leave us hanging....

[CB_Christmas]

soo heres what im planning. http://melissawatts.webs.com/santasworkshop.htm
I might even try to build one standing on a step ladder decorating an old artificial tree that was salvaged just before it was being thrown out. thanks for the advice on the motors btw!! anyone know of some other ideas as to what my elves could do or how the motor hook up would be?

[CB_Christmas]

are there any other motors that would work the same way as the reindeer for this prop (elves)? Would like something with a higher RPM but really dont want to spend a fortune on it. ( im going into grade 11 and im working part-time at minimum wage). I was looking at buying a few reindeer after christmas last year but i just couldnt buy one of the deer just to take it home and take it all apart.

[Just Whisper]

wiper motors will also work I believe. That is my project you are trying to build, and I used a dayton gear motor also. But they are generally very expensive, like $30 and up. I don't see why you couldn't use wiper motors which could have a higher rpm than the reindeer motors. But I have no idea how to use them, never tried it. But if you have specific questions about hooking up the elves give us an idea of what it will look like, which motor you are using, what you want it to do, etc and we will be glad to help you figure out how to hook it up.

[DanoNJ]

are there any other motors that would work the same way as the reindeer for this prop (elves)? Would like something with a higher RPM but really dont want to spend a fortune on it. ( im going into grade 11 and im working part-time at minimum wage). I was looking at buying a few reindeer after christmas last year but i just couldnt buy one of the deer just to take it home and take it all apart.

CB, I use wiper motors for most everhing. I don't have an issue with stripping gears and can adjust the rpms via voltage. Questions, let me know.
BTW, my toy shop is very similar to the idea you are working on. I also have plans for an elf decorating a tree (not sure if time allows for 2009).

[CB_Christmas]

Yes im aware wiper motors are great but the problem i have is the power conversion. (being on a pocket change buget) llol

[theedwin]

I haven't dabbled in the wiper motor thing yet. I have been busy with other things. (AAT's) I personally find wiper motors to be greasy and grimy and definitely not my style. (I know Dano may/will argue with me on this... LOL :D) Oh and that site by that Melissa chick, She does some pretty amazing stuff! :D Don't worry about killing a reindeer to get to his/her motor. There is nothing those reindeer are good for except maybe a wolf or something. LOL

I personally can't wait to get back to the reindeer motors. They have torque, they are reliable, and they can and will run ALL the time! As far as finding them, well, send me a PM. I may have a few lying around that aren't being used at the moment...

Edwin

[DanoNJ]

Yes im aware wiper motors are great but the problem i have is the power conversion. (being on a pocket change buget) llol

Use old wal warts or even and old computer power supply. Curbies!!! (freebies)

[CB_Christmas]

whats a wall wart?

[Just Whisper]

power adapter that plugs into wall, usually has the big fat plug. Here is a pic of one.

[CB_Christmas]

how much are they and where do i get them?:deer:

[chris]

I just started with wiper motors. I have to say they work great!!! Now i do have a question can i wire to power adapters together to get more juice?idea:

[theedwin]

how much are they and where do i get them?:deer:

I get them at thrift stores, Dano gets them at flea markets or swapmeets. Prices vary, but usually a buck or 2.

Be sure to check the voltage output (AC or DC, DC being better for most applications.) and the amps, that will determine alot. Something with 500 miliamps is about half an amp. Not very powerful. 1 amp is good 1500 miliamps is better (1.5 amps) 2 amps of course is better, etc etc. You can find all this information on the back of the unit most times, but sometimes it is just under the "plug".

You can also get ones at Radio Shak or another store like that that are adjustable meaning that you can choose the volts you want. Usually 3, 4.5 6, 7.5, 9 or 12 volt outputs. Check the milliamps when you buy it tho, there are different ones at different prices. Usually the more amps for the unit, the more $$$..

As far as computer power supplies, those have lots of amps, but I believe are limited to 12 volt outage. You could always use a dimmer switch (the circle light switch you see on walls to adjust the "mood lighting" in your house) I hear those work pretty well, but I haven't tried them.

There now you know everything there is to know!!! :D

[theedwin]

I just started with wiper motors. I have to say they work great!!! Now i do have a question can i wire to power adapters together to get more juice?idea:

Confused Chris.... but I am going to say no. They don't work like batteries. If you wire two batteries together negative to positive (like in a flashlight tube set up, you would get more juice) but there is no way to do that with a power supply, they just don't work that way.

Anyone else?

[theedwin]

power adapter that plugs into wall, usually has the big fat plug. Here is a pic of one.

Is that what the plug ins look like in Florida JW? LOL :)

[Just Whisper]

Actually, I took that photo off wikipedia. Mine are not that fancy. LOL

CB, I bet if you ask your parents (or family) they probably have a box or drawer, as I do, filled with old power adapters that I no longer have the product to which they once belonged.

[DanoNJ]

I just started with wiper motors. I have to say they work great!!! Now i do have a question can i wire to power adapters together to get more juice?idea:

In a word -- no. I don't believe they will work like a battery in series.

Opps... Sorry, Edwin. Next time I'll read all the way thru the thread before I open my trap!

[DanoNJ]

I I personally find wiper motors to be greasy and grimy and definitely not my style. (I know Dano may/will argue with me on this... LOL :D)
Edwin

Afraid to get your hands dirty???:)

[DanoNJ]

As far as computer power supplies, those have lots of amps, but I believe are limited to 12 volt outage. You could always use a dimmer switch (the circle light switch you see on walls to adjust the "mood lighting" in your house) I hear those work pretty well, but I haven't tried them.

There now you know everything there is to know!!! :D

The computer power supplies have 3v, 5v and 12v outputs and even -3v and some -5v. All DC with several of each. This works well into my plan and use of the wipers as I can regulate the motor speed via the voltage. I plan on using one or two as 'power plants' and run supply lines to several props and landscape lights from the one central supply.

[CB_Christmas]

Yea, we have one of those drawers full of addapters..... im just affraid to use them because im not sure what voltage (or wattage?) i need or what they are (im not good with that sort of thing) Im just scare I might..... you know.... blow up my house or fry the electrical system.:confused:

[theedwin]

The computer power supplies have 3v, 5v and 12v outputs and even -3v and some -5v. All DC with several of each. This works well into my plan and use of the wipers as I can regulate the motor speed via the voltage. I plan on using one or two as 'power plants' and run supply lines to several props and landscape lights from the one central supply.

Did not know that, Thanks Dano! And that's a great idea about the "power plant".

[Just Whisper]

LMAO CB. Blow the house up indeed. That was always one of my biggest fears, believe it or not. I am sure if you show/tell these guys what you have in mind they can help you figure out which one to use.

[DanoNJ]

Yea, we have one of those drawers full of addapters..... im just affraid to use them because im not sure what voltage (or wattage?) i need or what they are (im not good with that sort of thing) Im just scare I might..... you know.... blow up my house or fry the electrical system.:confused:

If you look on the adapter, there will be a listing of voltage in and voltage out. Typically you will find iinput = 120vAC, output will show the DC voltage the adapter is putting out. This will vary. Clip off the small round plug, strip bac the wires and put a meter on the end. This will tell you the output if you are not sure. Haven't had one blow up yet.

[DanoNJ]

Here's a site for deer motors.
http://www.cwebdirect.com/andeermot.html

[CB_Christmas]

thanks Dano!!

[pyro]

deer motors are nice -just as long the item you are trying to move is not too heavy--wiper motors have more torque --monster guts has a controller to adjust the volts/amps

[chris]

deer motors are nice -just as long the item you are trying to move is not too heavy--wiper motors have more torque --monster guts has a controller to adjust the volts/amps

I want to get some for next years props. Thanks Pyro!

[Just Whisper]

I need a motor that will run at about 15-20 rpm with decent torque. Can i adjust a wiper motor to this rate? I have never used them but would like to. Deer motor are great but way too slow for some of my props. And should I just go to a local U-Pull shop for them, would that be cheapest? Are they basically all the same? Are some "brands" better than others?

[DanoNJ]

I need a motor that will run at about 15-20 rpm with decent torque. Can i adjust a wiper motor to this rate? I have never used them but would like to. Deer motor are great but way too slow for some of my props. And should I just go to a local U-Pull shop for them, would that be cheapest? Are they basically all the same? Are some "brands" better than others?

JW,
You will have no problem running a wiper motor at that speed, just adjust the voltage. I guess a U-Pull is the same as a junk yard or auto salvage year and yes, that is an excellent place to get these. They most never die. Any brand will work. They all have different ways to attach to the car. I always look to see what harness will fit best.

[EnlightenedGrinch]

I know Surplus Center carries quite a few gear motors at different RPMs. I've bought from them quite often over the years.
Never used a wiper motor at all.

https://www.surpluscenter.com/sort.asp?catname=electric&keyword=GIDD

[Just Whisper]

Thanks Grinch, I have shopped at the surplus center among others but most of the gear motors I use would cost anywhere from $30 - $80. I have a shop here locally that orders them for me a little cheaper. But I think I can get a wiper motor for a lot less? Thanks for the help guys. Dano, do you mean which harness will fit best on the prop you are building?

[Sickie Ickie]

Last time I tried to get one from a junk yard, they wanted $20 ea. I walked out.

[Just Whisper]

I checked today. If I pull it myself they are $13. If they pull it it's $20. Another place wanted $35 if they pull it. I will probably go this weekend and pull a couple of the $13. motors. How much are you guys paying for 2nd hand wiper motors?

[Buckeyelights]

Why not make life a little simplier, say yourself some time, avoid getting eaten by the junkyard dog, getting a flat tire from the parking lot full of sharp objects and get out of the neighborhood without getting car jacked.

Order a kit from The Winfield Collection, here the link:

http://www.thewinfieldcollection.com/product/3138/Motorized_Parts_KIts

It is an AC motor, 18 rpm.

Would that do the trick? idea:

good luck with whatever route you take.

Joe

[Just Whisper]

Thanks Buckeye...but it's not really like that. It is a very nice, clean, well organized lot in a decent part of town actually. The parking lot is paved. :) No worries. I checked out the link, it looks like a nice kit. But it is $30 and I can only run it at one speed. I was looking into the wiper motors since they are adjustable and cheaper. I appreciate the info, and always like things that save time as long as it doesn't cost me more money.

[DanoNJ]

JW, I checked around and found a yard that has them on the shelf for $10. Not a bad deal. As for the harness, what I mean was the way the motor attaches to the car. some are large, some smaller. Typically I find most with the normal 3 points where they connect. I'm not home now (vacation) or I'd post a picture.
As for gear motors, they work well, however, most all have failed on me due to the plastic internal gears stripping if the prop gets hung up.
Winfield's motors have done this three times. At $30 a pop, no longer on my purchase list.

[DanoNJ]

here's kind of a good picture of the 'harness'.

[Just Whisper]

Thank you Dano.

[pyro]

JW check out monsterguts.com --dean has the motors and all the hookups , even has controllers

[Just Whisper]

Thanks guys. My auto body repair guy is pulling 3 wiper motors for me this week, no charge for anything. BTW Pyro, thanks for the heads up on this site anyway. I didn't know they had motors, it's good to know.

[DanoNJ]

Thanks guys. My auto body repair guy is pulling 3 wiper motors for me this week, no charge for anything. BTW Pyro, thanks for the heads up on this site anyway. I didn't know they had motors, it's good to know.

Now that's a good deal!!!!!