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Has anyone here attempted to make one of these before?
Been in need of 2 more sea swirls to go on my tank build. I have a 1" sea swirl now that I managed to acquire used for pretty cheap, but brand new these are way overpriced imo, especially the 1.5" version. The 1" runs just under $300, and the 1.5" is about $500, but I know the parts of these cost a small fraction of that.
So since I need a 1.5" and a 1", I decided I would try and build my own. The hardest part looks to be building the rotating nozzle/plumbing piece, but the rest is fairly straight forward.
Dont have a whole lot yet, mostly just been doing research so far, to put together a parts list. So more to follow as I figure out the details of this project.
Picture of the inside of a SeaSwirl for reference.
View attachment 11983
Parts List/options
Motor (high torque, low rpm motor)
Speed Control (optional and need dc motor)
Cam for the motor attachment
Actuator arm
Cord and wire
Plastic/acrylic box
PVC pipe ( need one size larger pipe for the sleeve and smaller pipe to fit into.)
2x 90 degree fittings
Water proof, long lasting, non-toxic lube for inside the pipe sleeve.
Rubber gaskets to fit inside biggest pipe.
Part options
Motors has several options. First is to choose between AC or DC. Then make sure its a motor meant for continuous operation, has 20 or less RPM with torque capable of moving more then a few ounces.
The motor and all the parts can be salvaged from anything around that house, and I will likely try to find/salvage a few for this build if I can, but even buying all the parts new, I think I can do these for under $100 each
AC
- http://herbach.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=HAR&Product_Code=H1-08 1RPM motor, although not sure 20oz torque is enough
- https://www.surpluscenter.com/Elect...ns-Hour-115-Volt-AC-Timing-Motor-10-958-A.axd (less then 1rpm and under $1 makes this one a good contender)
- https://www.amazon.com/BEMONOC-60KTYZ-AC-Motor-Synchronous/ (a bit more expensive but a good option for the 1.5" version
DC
- http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/6-24vdcgearheadmotor.aspx Not sure of the torque on this one, but the RPM is just about right (RPM (various voltages): @6v: 3rpm; @9v: 4.9rpm; @12v: 6.8rpm; @24v: 14.6rpm) would need a 24v power cord
- https://www.surpluscenter.com/Elect...25-RPM-24-Volt-DC-Inline-Gearmotor-5-1796.axd
- https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Elect...=1-51-spons&refinements=p_36:1253528011&psc=1
Power cords and connectors
- https://www.jameco.com
Speed control
- https://www.amazon.com/uniquegoods-CCMFC-Controller-Adjustable-Switching/
Servo Arm
- https://www.hobbytown.com/fxxd-steering-arm-set-by-mst-mxs-230040/p715795
- https://www.hobbytown.com/fsh38-sail-servo-arm-s3801-by-futaba-futfsh38/p646116
- https://www.hobbytown.com/tierod-set-835b-by-duratrax-dtxc9634/p643600
Gear/Cam
- https://www.miniinthebox.com/en/p/34-kinds-of-plastic-gear-motor-gear-robot-parts-diy-model-
- https://www.hobbytown.com/servo-horn-set-1-4-scale-hs700bb-by-hitec-hrc56316/p21825
Would love any feedback, thoughts or experiences you may have
Been in need of 2 more sea swirls to go on my tank build. I have a 1" sea swirl now that I managed to acquire used for pretty cheap, but brand new these are way overpriced imo, especially the 1.5" version. The 1" runs just under $300, and the 1.5" is about $500, but I know the parts of these cost a small fraction of that.
So since I need a 1.5" and a 1", I decided I would try and build my own. The hardest part looks to be building the rotating nozzle/plumbing piece, but the rest is fairly straight forward.
Dont have a whole lot yet, mostly just been doing research so far, to put together a parts list. So more to follow as I figure out the details of this project.
Picture of the inside of a SeaSwirl for reference.
View attachment 11983
Parts List/options
Motor (high torque, low rpm motor)
Speed Control (optional and need dc motor)
Cam for the motor attachment
Actuator arm
Cord and wire
Plastic/acrylic box
PVC pipe ( need one size larger pipe for the sleeve and smaller pipe to fit into.)
2x 90 degree fittings
Water proof, long lasting, non-toxic lube for inside the pipe sleeve.
Rubber gaskets to fit inside biggest pipe.
Part options
Motors has several options. First is to choose between AC or DC. Then make sure its a motor meant for continuous operation, has 20 or less RPM with torque capable of moving more then a few ounces.
The motor and all the parts can be salvaged from anything around that house, and I will likely try to find/salvage a few for this build if I can, but even buying all the parts new, I think I can do these for under $100 each
AC
- http://herbach.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=HAR&Product_Code=H1-08 1RPM motor, although not sure 20oz torque is enough
- https://www.surpluscenter.com/Elect...ns-Hour-115-Volt-AC-Timing-Motor-10-958-A.axd (less then 1rpm and under $1 makes this one a good contender)
- https://www.amazon.com/BEMONOC-60KTYZ-AC-Motor-Synchronous/ (a bit more expensive but a good option for the 1.5" version
DC
- http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/6-24vdcgearheadmotor.aspx Not sure of the torque on this one, but the RPM is just about right (RPM (various voltages): @6v: 3rpm; @9v: 4.9rpm; @12v: 6.8rpm; @24v: 14.6rpm) would need a 24v power cord
- https://www.surpluscenter.com/Elect...25-RPM-24-Volt-DC-Inline-Gearmotor-5-1796.axd
- https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Elect...=1-51-spons&refinements=p_36:1253528011&psc=1
Power cords and connectors
- https://www.jameco.com
Speed control
- https://www.amazon.com/uniquegoods-CCMFC-Controller-Adjustable-Switching/
Servo Arm
- https://www.hobbytown.com/fxxd-steering-arm-set-by-mst-mxs-230040/p715795
- https://www.hobbytown.com/fsh38-sail-servo-arm-s3801-by-futaba-futfsh38/p646116
- https://www.hobbytown.com/tierod-set-835b-by-duratrax-dtxc9634/p643600
Gear/Cam
- https://www.miniinthebox.com/en/p/34-kinds-of-plastic-gear-motor-gear-robot-parts-diy-model-
- https://www.hobbytown.com/servo-horn-set-1-4-scale-hs700bb-by-hitec-hrc56316/p21825
Would love any feedback, thoughts or experiences you may have
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