Where to buy good Gearhead Motors?

[Brandon121233]

Hey guys,
I just wanted to know if anyone knows like a reliable brand, or online store to buy decent but cheap DC gearhead motors. I have always used servos in the past, but this time I'm looking for a little more power and speed than a sub $40 servo can give me. I'm looking for a gearhead that has pretty close to 160-200 RPM, and rated above 100 oz/in torque. Also it would be nice if it was rather quiet, I have a gearhead that practically wakes the dead with all its screeching. And yes I have tried looking on google there are just so many places and brands to chose from, I'm overwhelmed 

[nanob0t]

Here's a reliable site I readily use:

http://www.lynxmotion.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=50

And I put in a search on Thomas Register and got a list of 25 gear motor manufacturers.  Here they are:

http://www.thomasnet.com/nsearch.html?cov=NA&what=Gearhead+Motors&heading=33546508&navsec=prodsearch

Maybe one or two could prove some use.

Good luck!   

[JonHylands]

http://www.lynxmotion.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=50

For building small robots, Lynxmotion is hard to beat. If you're in Canada, you can get most of their motors at http://www.robotshop.ca

- Jon

[555 timer chip guy]

go to www.jameco.com then have a great selection.

[Brandon121233]

Also, this dosent have to do with motors, but I dont want to start a new thread- Waht are your opionions on Li-Ion-Poly batteries. Do you think they are really cost effective vs. a bunch of 1.2V NiMH batteries?

[nanob0t]

Yes, considering they don't get memory as you recharge/use them.

They're just an issue of money.  You don't get the memory, but you get the debts

[trigger]

Yes, considering they don't get memory as you recharge/use them.

They're just an issue of money.  You don't get the memory, but you get the debts

NiMH don't have the memory effect, only NiCads do.     And it's more than an issue of money.  If you don't know what you're doing, you could end up with some flaming/exploding Li-ion batteries on your hands.   Just stay away from them unless you plan on thoroughly researching them and being real careful.  NiMH are the way to go. 

[Brandon121233]

In that case, are there any like exotic sized battery packs that are small NiMH, but can supply around 6-9 volts, something better than a rechargeable 9V because 9V's usually have less than 500mAh?

[trigger]

In that case, are there any like exotic sized battery packs that are small NiMH, but can supply around 6-9 volts, something better than a rechargeable 9V because 9V's usually have less than 500mAh?

Definitely.  On the main SOR website, there are links to several battery sites that cell all sorts of NiMH battery packs.

[Brandon121233]

I think I answered my own question with gearheads- I found this site http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/c/2651-Robotics.aspx which has excellent gearheads at even better prices http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/c/2882-DC-Motors.aspx.

[Admin]

NiMH don't have the memory effect, only NiCads do.     And it's more than an issue of money.  If you don't know what you're doing, you could end up with some flaming/exploding Li-ion batteries on your hands.   Just stay away from them unless you plan on thoroughly researching them and being real careful.  NiMH are the way to go.

I 2nd this.
But I think lithium will be the future of robot batteries for the next decade. If you have some experience with using other batteries in circuits, I highly recommend doing a lot of research on lithium and seriously consider getting them.

[Brandon121233]

Yeah, I won't have any problems getting them to work, I know my way around the electrical part of robots rather well; I was just pondering that Lithium Ion/Polymer batteries can supposedly last up to 40% longer ( I don't mean a "memory effect" all batteries even NiMH die in about 4-6 years if used heavily), and that they can rapidly supply lots of current without overheating in comparison to NiMH. At this point I'm just going to look for a 7-12 volt pack, and buy whatever is the cheapest (probably NiMH).

[Admin]

I think within a year or two that lithium will be the cheapest and the best . . . if only they include 'smart electronics' built in to handle charging I would also say easiest . . .