Home | Community | Message Board

MushroomMan Mycology
This site includes paid links. Please support our sponsors.


Welcome to the Shroomery Message Board! You are experiencing a small sample of what the site has to offer. Please login or register to post messages and view our exclusive members-only content. You'll gain access to additional forums, file attachments, board customizations, encrypted private messages, and much more!

Shop: Original Sensible Seeds Bulk Cannabis Seeds   Bridgetown Botanicals CBD Concentrates   PhytoExtractum Kratom Powder for Sale   Mushroom-Hut Grow Bags   Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom   North Spore Injection Grain Bag

Jump to first unread post Pages: 1 | 2 | Next >  [ show all ]
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
Offlinedenger
Mycelium keeper
Male User Gallery


Registered: 09/19/08
Posts: 1,177
Loc: Unites States of Dreams
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
Improved magnetic stirrer plans
    #9337138 - 11/30/08 12:46 PM (15 years, 2 months ago)

Hello fellow Shroomers!

I made a magnetic stirrer for cultivating LC, and want to share the plans.

I have made a stirrer before from the plan on this site: stirrer, but it was too fast and erratic. So, I decided to make some enhancements. Below is what I have come up with.



The main feature here is the speed control (more on it below). I have used a double gang electric box made from plastic as an enclosure. It is a perfect size for a standard 80mm computer fan used in cases and power supplies. The magnet is the one from an old hard drive. I think next one I do will use a magnet from a low profile drive, this one was too thick - I had to put spacers between the box and the lid so it wont rub it.

The speed control is a very simple circuit made around LM317T voltage regulator. Here is the circuit (first one on the page): http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Bill_Bowden/page12.htm

Since I used a 12V dc output walwart power supply, I have omitted the first two capacitors (they are already in the walwart). The R2 resistor in my version is a 5K variable resistor, and R1 is 220ohm.

Here is how it looks inside:



The circuit is so simple that I did not need any kind of a bread board, just used thin wires to connect everything and solder together.

Here is a close-up:



Also, there were some questions here about the stirring bit. You can buy pre-made ones (they are nice) for under $3. If, however, you do not want to spend the money there are two ways I have made ones myself before. Take a 15 gauge nail, and snip an inch long piece without the top. Do not use thicker nails, they will cling to the magnet way too strong and will slow down the fan. Either seal it in a piece of polypropylene plastic (from a used grow bag) or paint it with several light coats of hi-temp spray paint. If you use paint, make sure you shake the can well and use very light coats, and dry them very well or they will bubble up in the pressure cooker. I personally prefer polypropylene. Here is my stir bit:



I seal mine with a "food saver" sealer, but in a pinch you can use genly heated knife (the dull edge).


If you find this useful, I would appreciate a good rating!


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinetheredone
well known
Male User Gallery


Registered: 08/13/08
Posts: 102
Loc: east coast
Last seen: 6 years, 8 months
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: denger]
    #9337555 - 11/30/08 01:52 PM (15 years, 2 months ago)

those hard drive magnets are crazy strong and kinda heavy was it hard to get ballenced


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinetheredone
well known
Male User Gallery


Registered: 08/13/08
Posts: 102
Loc: east coast
Last seen: 6 years, 8 months
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: theredone]
    #9337596 - 11/30/08 01:58 PM (15 years, 2 months ago)

if that was a computer fan you could have just used a cell phone charger and striped the wires


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinescubabuddha
friend of a friend of a friend
Male


Registered: 04/08/08
Posts: 575
Loc: Boulder, CO
Last seen: 14 years, 7 months
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: theredone]
    #9337794 - 11/30/08 02:33 PM (15 years, 2 months ago)

:congrats: nicely done. that looks great


--------------------



Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblelegallyhomeless
mooch
 User Gallery

Registered: 07/01/05
Posts: 4,051
Loc: EZRA for the Refuge
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: scubabuddha]
    #9338066 - 11/30/08 03:20 PM (15 years, 1 month ago)

you should draw up a schematic


--------------------
MY TRADE LIST!!!

FULLY AUTOMATIC!! 12-Pot Multi Grow Hydroponic System for Trade.


Download PSX ISOs


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinedenger
Mycelium keeper
Male User Gallery


Registered: 09/19/08
Posts: 1,177
Loc: Unites States of Dreams
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: theredone]
    #9338111 - 11/30/08 03:30 PM (15 years, 1 month ago)

Quote:

theredone said:
those hard drive magnets are crazy strong and kinda heavy was it hard to get ballenced




No, it was not very hard. I used a double-sided mounting tape to adjust it to where I saw the least vibrations, then I marked the contour and hot-glued it to the fan.

Quote:

theredone said:
if that was a computer fan you could have just used a cell phone charger and striped the wires




I did better, I found an old modem that had the same jack as my wallwart, and I stole the socket from it. This way my power supply is detachable for easier storage, and to replace it if it blows. The whole point of the added circuit was to be able to finely adjust the speed, which is working great.


Edited by denger (11/30/08 03:30 PM)


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblemusher_420
Stranger

Registered: 08/01/05
Posts: 2,691
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: denger]
    #9338243 - 11/30/08 03:53 PM (15 years, 1 month ago)

I'm liking the looks of that.  Pro home job.  One thing I've noticed with those DC muffin fans is that you can really only slow them down to around 70% full speed before they will no longer turn.  Ultimately they don't have a wide range of speed variation but some is there for a bit of tuning.

I've also made stir bars the same way as you but instead of sealing them into bags I've taken the finishing nail and slipped it inside or a piece of 1/8th" high temp nylon tubing (used for oil pressure gages in cars) and then just heated the ends to seal it.


--------------------
My Humidifier Reservoir Expansion Tek

Must read links for beginners

Btw- You are not what you own!


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinetheredone
well known
Male User Gallery


Registered: 08/13/08
Posts: 102
Loc: east coast
Last seen: 6 years, 8 months
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: musher_420]
    #9338549 - 11/30/08 04:43 PM (15 years, 1 month ago)

i have an adjustable cpu fan that gets crazy fast i dont use it so why not make one. but great work man i like the box


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinedenger
Mycelium keeper
Male User Gallery


Registered: 09/19/08
Posts: 1,177
Loc: Unites States of Dreams
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: musher_420]
    #9338979 - 11/30/08 05:43 PM (15 years, 1 month ago)

Quote:

musher_420 said:
One thing I've noticed with those DC muffin fans is that you can really only slow them down to around 70% full speed before they will no longer turn.  Ultimately they don't have a wide range of speed variation but some is there for a bit of tuning.





Actually, I beleive I have solved this issue. I have struggled with this at first, but I think I figured it out. First of all, a worn fan has a worn ball bearing, and it will stick when enough force is applied. I combat it in two ways: I selected the fan which still has a decent ball bearing. I test the ball bearing by pulling on the rotating part (while it is off) and gauging how much movement it has on the axis. If its more then 1/8", then the bearing is bad. Second, I do make the stirring bar small. If it is too big, the magnet pulls on the fan too hard towards the stir bar creating extra friction, which stops the fan at lower speeds completely: you would see (or feel if its enclosed) the fan turning when there is nothing on top, and it will come to a complete halt when you put a jar with the stirring bar in it on top.

Also, I do think the regulator circuit helps a lot for fine control. I can get the bar to turn from almost full speed down to just a couple of revolutions per second, so I would say my range of control is 3-90% of full rotation speed of the fan. 90% is always too much, maybe good only for a huge jar (1/2 gal?), so I am very happy with the low speeds I get on it.


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinedenger
Mycelium keeper
Male User Gallery


Registered: 09/19/08
Posts: 1,177
Loc: Unites States of Dreams
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: musher_420]
    #9340911 - 11/30/08 10:45 PM (15 years, 1 month ago)

Quote:

musher_420 said:
I've also made stir bars the same way as you but instead of sealing them into bags I've taken the finishing nail and slipped it inside or a piece of 1/8th" high temp nylon tubing (used for oil pressure gages in cars) and then just heated the ends to seal it.




Where do you get this tubing?


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offline4 ho cultivar
Transcending plains
Male User Gallery


Registered: 11/18/08
Posts: 379
Loc: Central, Oregon {represen...
Last seen: 14 years, 11 months
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: denger]
    #9340949 - 11/30/08 10:52 PM (15 years, 1 month ago)

yes, where?:mob:


--------------------
:mushroom2::crazy2::mushroom2::crazy2::Patience be thy virtue:crazy2::mushroom2::crazy2::mushroom2:

Blurring the line between reality and dreams
Mr. Winkie says: "Procrastinators unite................................tommorrow!!:ganja:
G.Kahuna said: "Plus you get all the fun from taking a walk {and} shooting mycelium at cow droppings with a super soaker. Now beat that!":cuteshit:


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleJ3illy
Trainee

Registered: 10/18/08
Posts: 3,344
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: 4 ho cultivar]
    #9341099 - 11/30/08 11:18 PM (15 years, 1 month ago)

If it's for a car oil-pressure gauge, I'd say they have it at Napa, Pep Boys, Auto Zone, etc..


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offline4 ho cultivar
Transcending plains
Male User Gallery


Registered: 11/18/08
Posts: 379
Loc: Central, Oregon {represen...
Last seen: 14 years, 11 months
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: J3illy]
    #9341196 - 11/30/08 11:33 PM (15 years, 1 month ago)

oh.... face :whacker:


Edited by 4 ho cultivar (11/30/08 11:34 PM)


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinejagribok
Stranger
Registered: 12/01/08
Posts: 7
Last seen: 15 years, 1 month
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: 4 ho cultivar]
    #9347121 - 12/01/08 08:26 PM (15 years, 1 month ago)

:thumbup:


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinedenger
Mycelium keeper
Male User Gallery


Registered: 09/19/08
Posts: 1,177
Loc: Unites States of Dreams
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: J3illy]
    #9356655 - 12/03/08 08:56 AM (15 years, 1 month ago)

I looked at the local auto parts store for the oil pressure gauge tubing, and they did not sell it separately from the gauge, but what was in the gauge package was excellent for making stir bars. Right diameter, and loked like right plastic too. Thanks for the tip!


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlineflugelizor
Furious ball of nothing
Male User Gallery

Registered: 11/16/08
Posts: 2,107
Loc: Western NY
Last seen: 1 hour, 49 minutes
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: denger]
    #9385867 - 12/07/08 03:44 PM (15 years, 1 month ago)

Denger - Inspired by your success I built a magnetic stirrer out of old tape recorder parts. It is powered by an old "wall wort" transformer. Works great!

For stirrers I used a nail snipped off and sheathed in heat shrink tube. I then wrapped the center with a couple of turns of a small wire to provide a pivot point. Then dipped the ends in epoxy and slathered the center wire pivot point in epoxy and let it cure.

I have heard that epoxy is not toxic after it cures...?
Heat it up to about 150F for an hour afterwards to give a full cure.

I will upload a picture later. It's not available for photos now because I put it to work right away.

BTW - this motor from the tape recorder is geared way down with a rubber band in a pulley system and runs at a constant (perfect?) speed.  Actually it may have been a tape - answering machine.


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineMephistophelian
Quasi Hob-Nobbery
 User Gallery


Folding@home Statistics
Registered: 08/14/08
Posts: 2,527
Loc: Camp Crystal Lake
Last seen: 10 months, 23 days
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: flugelizor]
    #9387528 - 12/07/08 07:36 PM (15 years, 1 month ago)

Hey, that's pretty clever fluge. I like your thinking.

I can't say I know if epoxy is toxic or not after curing, but silicone based things like RTV gasket maker would also make for a good sealer at the ends.

I used an old power supply out of a computer which gives 5-7 12v ports for lotsa stirrers with only using 1 110v outlet.


--------------------
Master Slants Made Simple


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlineflugelizor
Furious ball of nothing
Male User Gallery

Registered: 11/16/08
Posts: 2,107
Loc: Western NY
Last seen: 1 hour, 49 minutes
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: Mephistophelian]
    #9393867 - 12/08/08 05:29 PM (15 years, 1 month ago)

I don't know if I should post this here, or in contams...

I used my shrink wrapped, epoxy dipped stirrer in the left jar, and an untreated wire brad in the right jar.

Should it have turned black like this, or does anyone recognize this as a contam?

(yeah I know I misspelled H. Tessellatus)



I think I will make up some agar and streak it with the black culture and see if anything nasty pops up.


Edited by flugelizor (12/08/08 05:44 PM)


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineDamion5050
Mush Doctor
Male User Gallery

Registered: 05/01/08
Posts: 12,493
Loc: Lost In Translation ! Flag
Last seen: 3 years, 3 days
Trusted Cultivator
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: flugelizor]
    #9393956 - 12/08/08 05:41 PM (15 years, 1 month ago)

umm did u sterile the stirrer with the jar or put it in afterwords and the answer is no it is not suppose to turn black..


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlineflugelizor
Furious ball of nothing
Male User Gallery

Registered: 11/16/08
Posts: 2,107
Loc: Western NY
Last seen: 1 hour, 49 minutes
Re: Improved magnetic stirrer plans [Re: Damion5050]
    #9394023 - 12/08/08 05:48 PM (15 years, 1 month ago)

I sterilized the brad in the jar with malt / sawdust for a half hour.

Bummer, I was kind of hoping it was just rust.
I am learning.


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Jump to top Pages: 1 | 2 | Next >  [ show all ]

Shop: Original Sensible Seeds Bulk Cannabis Seeds   Bridgetown Botanicals CBD Concentrates   PhytoExtractum Kratom Powder for Sale   Mushroom-Hut Grow Bags   Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom   North Spore Injection Grain Bag


Similar ThreadsPosterViewsRepliesLast post
* DIY Magnetic Stirrer
( 1 2 all )
splifner180 28,889 24 02/04/08 03:04 PM
by lovingtickels
* LIQUID inoculation WITH NO MAGNETIC STIRRER; IS IT VIABLE??? Shampioenier 8,194 8 04/06/06 01:11 PM
by JustK
* To Magnetic Stirrer Users'
( 1 2 all )
HippieChick 6,487 29 04/26/06 11:09 AM
by Oatman2000
* magnetic stirrers for the "do it your selfer" hIgHdRoLoVeR 1,179 7 04/27/06 09:52 PM
by Snaggletooth
* magnetic stirrer.. Jstump20 688 3 06/20/06 12:59 PM
by Jstump20
* Magnetic Stirrer Vortex; Too Much?
( 1 2 all )
splifner180 5,064 25 05/11/06 12:16 PM
by splifner180
* Magnetic Stirrer - Complete! (Updated w/ Pics!)
( 1 2 all )
total 3,436 24 08/30/05 08:45 AM
by mushr00mhead420
* Magnetic Stirrer Just Got Here!!!
( 1 2 all )
alsnow469 1,890 20 05/06/06 03:03 PM
by alsnow469

Extra information
You cannot start new topics / You cannot reply to topics
HTML is disabled / BBCode is enabled
Moderator: Shroomism, george castanza, RogerRabbit, veggie, mushboy, fahtster, LogicaL Chaos, 13shrooms, Stipe-n Cap, Pastywhyte, bodhisatta, Tormato, Land Trout, A.k.a
8,811 topic views. 34 members, 252 guests and 65 web crawlers are browsing this forum.
[ Show Images Only | Sort by Score | Print Topic ]
Search this thread:

Copyright 1997-2024 Mind Media. Some rights reserved.

Generated in 0.03 seconds spending 0.012 seconds on 16 queries.