Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: MaltiK on December 30, 2008, 08:50:18 AM

Title: Windshield Wiper Motors?
Post by: MaltiK on December 30, 2008, 08:50:18 AM
These things operate on 12v DC, why doesnt everyone use them? They are geared hevaily, so are very sturdy, and very strong, why werent these used with airman's butler robot, as opposed to his choice of wheelchair motors? Can anyone tell me why I shouldnt go out and buy (cheaper) windshield wiper motors as opposed to (more expensive) wheelchair motors? Or a whole nother choice?
Title: Re: Windshield Wiper Motors?
Post by: cooldog on December 30, 2008, 09:27:32 AM
why werent these used with airman's butler robot, as opposed to his choice of wheelchair motors?

he wanted to ride on it

here is another thread that used windshield wiper motors

http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=1318.0

it also has the wheels he used
Title: Re: Windshield Wiper Motors?
Post by: airman00 on December 30, 2008, 05:41:13 PM
all depends on how much torque you want

Like cooldog said - I wanted to ride on it . Also wanted to reuse the wheelchair motors later on for a battle bot ( when the time comes.... )
Title: Re: Windshield Wiper Motors?
Post by: Ro-Bot-X on December 30, 2008, 08:57:19 PM
...( when the time comes.... )

Judgement Day???
Title: Re: Windshield Wiper Motors?
Post by: airman00 on December 30, 2008, 09:01:15 PM
...( when the time comes.... )
Judgement Day???
LOL
more like when I have a real excuse(and some spare time) to make a battlebot
Title: Re: Windshield Wiper Motors?
Post by: SeagullOne on December 31, 2008, 03:39:41 AM
True, they are geared heavily, run on 12 VDC, and the works...a typical windshield wiper motor can handle up to about 17 lbs-foot at forty rotations per minute. I was originally going to use them for my robot NINA, but she was getting to be a big robot! (Bigger than I intended), and I was really beginning to doubt that 17 lb-foot was going to move her. I happened to have wheelchair motors I bought from ebay earlier, so I move her to those. (I'm saving those two windshield wiper motors for another project. Maybe a lightweight trashcan rover thingie, once I find something useful for it to do.)

But I did hear they're not very power efficient. And they're expensive, (unless you get them from a auto junk shop for $20 each). Plus, I think the wiring is really confusing for some of them...

But sure! They're be great for small, to medium weight robots. Maybe even some heavy-medium robots. Just not the one I'm building right now. :P
Title: Re: Windshield Wiper Motors?
Post by: MaltiK on December 31, 2008, 06:21:59 AM
True, they are geared heavily, run on 12 VDC, and the works...a typical windshield wiper motor can handle up to about 17 lbs-foot at forty rotations per minute. I was originally going to use them for my robot NINA, but she was getting to be a big robot! (Bigger than I intended), and I was really beginning to doubt that 17 lb-foot was going to move her. I happened to have wheelchair motors I bought from ebay earlier, so I move her to those. (I'm saving those two windshield wiper motors for another project. Maybe a lightweight trashcan rover thingie, once I find something useful for it to do.)

But I did hear they're not very power efficient. And they're expensive, (unless you get them from a auto junk shop for $20 each). Plus, I think the wiring is really confusing for some of them...

But sure! They're be great for small, to medium weight robots. Maybe even some heavy-medium robots. Just not the one I'm building right now. :P

Thanks! That helped, I think I may just wait for ebay to show me some cheap wheelchair motors!
One other question, are these, wheelchair motors geared like the windshield wiper motors? And are they usually 12v DC like them?
Title: Re: Windshield Wiper Motors?
Post by: cooldog on December 31, 2008, 07:59:44 AM
http://narobo.com/articles/WheelchairMotors.html

this is a artical by airman00 that should help
Title: Re: Windshield Wiper Motors?
Post by: ed1380 on December 31, 2008, 02:00:47 PM
but dont forget that windshield motors run off a generator so efficiency wasnt a priority when they were designed.
Title: Re: Windshield Wiper Motors?
Post by: Admin on January 09, 2009, 04:53:52 AM
poor efficiency and lots of electrical noise

plus, they are a bit too big and strong for your typical small servo driven robot

a windshield wiper motor requires a motor driver, feedback sensors, etc . . . you don't just pay the price of the motor only ;D