SunnytechSolar Vertical Disc Shape Mendocino Motor Magnetic Levitating Educational Model Science Physics Toy QZ02

I have purchased all three of the Mendocino motors sold by Sunnytech on Amazon. I love them. These are the highest quality examples of Mendocino motors that I've seen. I have them set up in a row on a shelf with individual small LED lights shining directly on each of them. When all three are going, it's a great visual distraction for when you are lost in thought. They animate your workspace giving it the feel of a place where magic happens every day. Using the same LED light placed as close as possible, they each turn at a different rate. The fastest is the classic horizontally levitating motor with the fan blade on the end. It can turn fast enough to be a blur with a strong, focused light source. The second fastest is the one shaped like a partially closed patio umbrella. The patio umbrella also has the distinction of being the only one that is self-starting. When the light gets close/strong enough, the motor starts turning without touching it. Bonus cool points for that!The slowest turning motor is the one I'm reviewing here. This one has a flat clear acrylic disk on top. The disk has solid areas which block the light from hitting different solar panels as it turns. The other areas of the disk are clear, letting the light through. The turning of the disk lights up the solar panels in sequence which in-turn power the motor to keep the disk turning. At least that's how it should work. Unfortunately, the flat disk surface on this motor collects dust much quicker than the other two motors. As more collects on the surface, the dust blocks an ever increasing percentage of the light passing through those clear areas of the disk to the solar panels. This slows the spin rate until it eventually just stops. On top of that, the top surface is made of plastic (acrylic) which carries a tiny static charge which attracts even more dust like a magnet.All of this means that the only one of the three motors I own which stops running within a few hours, is this one. For example, the other two have been running for the past week without any change. I believe one could also extend the run time on this motor indefinitely, if this motor were running in a dust proof display case. Placing it inside such a case, along with its light source, would prevent dust build-up. In fact, all three of the Sunnytech motors would benefit from being inside an enclosure. There would be no dust accumulation preventing light transmission to the solar panels and no disruptive air currents counteracting the motion. With the motors and light sources fixed in the optimum positions, the motors should run faster and keep running as long as the light sources remain powered. I plan to do this with mine at some point. However, even without an enclosure, I still love all three of mine. I just start this one going again whenever I walk past to get a few more hours of turning.I can definitely recommend all three of the Sunnytech Mendocino motors - this one included. They demonstrate multiple physics principles using clever electromechanical mechanisms in a visually exciting manner. They are well built using surprisingly high quality materials. The top notch construction extends their useful life, which makes them a better value for the money than the cheap, low-quality ones. They are also very attractive.Every mad scientist (young or old) should have a set of these displayed and running in their lab, just to remind them of the "magic" hidden just below the surface of science. Having a workshop full of moving gizmos, will also serve to keep you motivated to continue exploring and learning. If you want to go all out, you could add a Tesla coil, a Jacob's Ladder, and plasma panels or globes to further enhance the look of your laboratory. Add a levitating globe and a holographic illusion chamber, while you're at it. All of this stuff can be ordered on Amazon. The sheer spectacle of such an extremely animated gizmo room will make a lasting impression on all who visit.As I mentioned above, ideally, I think one should run all three motors inside a display case. Then, they will be shielded from environmental factors like dust which can degrade their performance. That will keep them running indefinitely. Plus, these beautiful Mendocinos will be even more attractive if they're running clean and well-protected in an attractive display case. Your nerd-ish friends will be green with envy. Highly recommended. It's too bad they aren't offered as a discounted set of three. I could have saved a few bucks. Even purchased separately, they were worth every penny.If you found this information helpful, let me know by clicking the button below.

Very nicely done as a demo of light to electric energy to mechanical energy display. Just wish it would work with typical office and classroom fluorescent lights! No fault of the vendor!

It's a clever device. I don't know if it's poor quality control, but the rotating shaft is not well secured. I got it to work with a very bright LED lamp. I had to tilt it forward so the magnets were close to the coil. Then I had to spin it to get it started. Curiously it is unidirectional. It only spins one way.It was carefully package to survive shipping. It had multiple wraps of plastic wrap to immobilize the rotor. It was further wrapped in aluminum foil. To protect it from light?I'll see if I can move the bottom bearing to better keep the shaft aligned.

Description and instructions say that it levitates. That's a big negative.. It is solar and it does rotate, only counter clockwise though. But it does not levitate like the items heading claims. That was the reason wanted it in the first place. Even though the false statement I did keep the stand just wish it was like the description. Also in the description they claim it will run even with a weak light source. Others may, but the one I got will not run with a weak light source.

This was a great product for my application and a good physics trainer for photon and refraction