Building & Testing a Mini Lego Brushed Motor

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See my latest experiments and behind-the-scenes footage!
Can we use some simple wire, magnets, and Lego to make our own brushed motor? In this video, we’ll attempt to build a brushed motor with a simple commutator that will time the rotations. And we’ll explore its performance by testing it at different voltages and current, as well as seeing what Lego contraptions we can power with it. Finally, we'll hook it up to a power supply to push it to its max!

[@JTCF]

You're not getting even close to 2 amps in there, let alone 10. As the other comment already said, the amps on your power supply are just a limit. The current passing through a wire is voltage divided by resistance of the conductor, and that resistance is static, but you turn the voltage higher, which does result in higher current, but it is quite low. Higher resistance - less current, Higher voltage - more current.

[@carpdog42]

I am glad to see someone else caught this. Saw a similar issue with video where someone was testing fuses, he actually bought load resistors so he could test them "at the correct voltage" without realizing that there is no difference to the fuse, amperage is amperage, it doesn't really care how much voltage the rest of the circuit is dropping.

[@malanikuiper414]

Am I the only one who has no idea what they are talking about?😂

[@carpdog42]

@@malanikuiper414 The simplest explanation is to look at OHMs law; if you put a voltage across a resistance, current flows according to the ratio between them. In order to change the current you must change the voltage. So in order to limit current, you limit voltage. So a power supply will attempt to provide its Max voltage up to its Max current, if the load would draw more than Max current, then voltage is reduced until the draw is max current. If the max current is greater than the load, then it raises to max voltage, but can go no higher. Think of it like a hose, you can bend it to reduce the flow, but once its full open, its full open and you can't open it any more to get more flow.

[@malanikuiper414]

@@carpdog42thx for explaining

[@jameshogge]

Right on the money. Although it's also worth saying the power supply is reporting the *average* current. I'm sure there's a fairly large spike when the brushes first make contact and connect the circuit. You've got to take inductance into account so it won't just be V = IR at that point. Really you need an oscilloscope.

[@Trex0Pol]

7:12 The two amps are only the limit. The actual current draw is around 110 milliamps. So even if you set it to 5 amps, it would be the exact same result. It's only the voltage that makes it go faster :)

[@kepler_45]

It hurts soo much to see hin raise the amperage like it was voltage

[@FamTech.]

@@kepler_45yes

[@user-nm3mw4mw1c]

Would it be able to power its self and have some to spare?

[@Trex0Pol]

@@user-nm3mw4mw1c I'm not sure if I understand the question correctly, but if you mean would it be able to power the motor and and something else? Yes, it totally would. In fact, it would be able to power around 90 of these motors.

[@JTCF]

@@bami2 They meant that he adjusted the max current (power supply limit) but thought it was adjusting the current itself, making 2 amps pass through the thing...

[@HBSpartanIV]

nail clippers are the best tool to cut small wires 👌 Finally I know I'm not alone

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Haha dead on 👊

[@GnarpyGaming-shimmyYa]

Truee!

[@gsestream]

you can do brushless dc motor, no commutators, no pulsing, just dc wire running over radially in circle over a ring magnet. high current thick wire replaces many loops of small current wire. yep car battery sized heavy duty current wire. wire? make it a beam, or thick metal rod. flexible metal strip running on a split current rod works as a commutator too. the strip friction makes contact with the spinner. thats wire edm cutter in action. lol. also friction will melt the wire.

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Good suggestion, cheers! I've made a few brushless motors before, and that's one of my next projects 😉 I really love some of the low power motors that can run for ages, so currently playing with that. Though I am using a reed switch as a timer to keep the design simple

[@Thelift2013]

the perfect video to make kids understand how motors work. they never get the complicated metal pieces in normal motors. lego is perfect for this

[@user-tl1qs2bo3l]

Great to see that you are expanding an making motors now!

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Thanks 😁 And more to come!

[@funnybones46]

@@JamiesBrickJamsyour could make the first Lego working plane ✈️

[@rohanatorgaming0903]

now make brushless

[@kenangrover402]

Your rotor with 3 coils is good. When you wrap the coils, use a little super glue to secure them in place. Also...MORE magnets! :)

[@JamiesBrickJams]

I was debating glue, but couldn't bring myself to wreck my Lego 😅 You're right though, this definitely needs an improved design so we can really chuck some real power through it 💪

[@asteroidrules]

​@@JamiesBrickJamsCould use the holes on the coil holding bars to attach another piece, maybe something wider so the wires stay in place.

[@UnknownGamer40464]

​@@JamiesBrickJamsmaybe zipties through the middle holes?

[@Kaminari_Kitsunokami]

Is bro just made diy power functions 😂 This is going to create an entire new field of lego creations And that is awesome

[@JamiesBrickJams]

The new line of electrical components: Barely-Works Functions (TM)

[@user-nv4jh9ey8i]

You had to get the first laugh when is in the Lego figure jump from the voltage😂😂😂

[@samuelhulme8347]

I think you may be able to generate power with that motor, just turn the shaft and the magnet will induce a current in the wires.

[@peter360adventures9]

Awesome build.

[@DataDownLynk]

Seeing the tank makes me think of just how well a lego tank would work if it had two to four of those motors working together to spin the tracks, great vid!

[@bananaswingingbeard]

Oh we just studied this type of motors in physics! Nice coïncidence, its interesting seeing what it looks like in real!

[@JamiesBrickJams]

That's awesome! I wish I had studied this - probably would have helped with a better design 😅 Enjoy physics!

[@777demolition]

This is awesome! Nice work!

[@Zigonce]

You know, could've made the commutator with some thicker wires. You're not burning out the motor, you're snapping the very weak contacts due to abrasion. And raising the current limit on your power supply does not change the amount the motor draws. Also, why aren't you using another magnet? The coil that goes to the top doesn't do anything in your design. Could've made only one brush on the one side for higher efficiency, the other is just wasting power

[@Algorythmischbleiben]

Great work! inspiring projects

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Thanks so much!

[@SmartLego-it1wj]

Wow, this is such an amazing build! I'm so impressed with your creativity and skill. Thank you for sharing your work with us!

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Aw thanks a lot for your kind words, appreciate it 🙏😄

[@thebloxxer22]

Note: The gauge of the wire has a current rating associated with it. The max current a 22AWG wire can handle is slightly less than 1A.

[@bitonic589]

You sure? My 24AWG wires can handle 2A

[@agepbiz]

I love this!

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Aw thanks a lot 😄

[@Boardgamer81]

YES NEW VIDEO this one was earlier than the last one but still best lego builder ever

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Aw thanks a lot, appreciate it 😁🙏

[@furrymessiah]

I'm gonna take a drink every time Jamie says motor.

[@JamiesBrickJams]

I've had a few folks mention that - I didn't even notice 😅

[@Trey.27.]

New sub I love your creativity

[@kanrapeechuamark]

You need use electrical steel plates as a stator to increase torque and reduce heat. Also you might add 3 more coils and 4 magnets

[@kanrapeechuamark]

Coils will be the multiple of 3 and magnets multiple of 2

[@JamiesBrickJams]

I have less experience with motors, but this 3:2 sounds just like the standard generator setup. Good points, and thanks! I'd love to make an overpowered motor with a more solid commutator and see if we can make Lego tear itself apart 😁

[@mohamedmedhat5102]

always making useful lego machines

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Haha thanks, that's usually my goal - it's gotta at least do something!

[@rpccmd]

I Love your content to my heart !! Thank you

[@mandyay7765]

Wow great job 👏:)

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Aw well appreciate it 😁

[@crimstrix]

There is no way you didn't realize how many words rhyme with motor in this video.

[@E-dart]

Rotor, stator, the other thing

[@RandoniumTJ]

Use moderately thin wires but thicker commutators... You can actually draw the 10 amps to its reasonable potential and also gain some structural integrity...

[@SNIXC]

It ain’t even getting 2 amos lol

[@RandoniumTJ]

@@SNIXC true

[@mandyay7765]

Wow great job 👏:)

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Thanks a lot 🙏😁

[@Mariano.Bernacki]

Would be interesting to compare the efficiency of levers, gears, chains, belts, and a generator/motor set to transmit power over long distances.

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Ooh that does sound like a fun idea

[@JTCF]

Would be cool to see the three armature rotor with coils that are properly fixed. You used pieces with smooth surfaces and no lip on the outside at all, the wires just slipped away.

[@JamiesBrickJams]

You're totally right, these were some pretty bad designs. I really want to make a bigger version now with strong armatures that hold the wires properly!

[@Legotyres]

Really cool

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Cheers!

[@ottobass9193]

"2 amps" "10 amps" Funny because you never even pass 1 amps 😂

[@joriotje2522]

Dang I wish I could build cool stuff with Lego. If only I’d have Lego to start with.

[@trevorhaddox6884]

When it releases it would be cool to turn the new radio set into a real transistor radio (not just a speaker inside, make the dial actually tune an analog radio inside). You can get modern transistor radio kits online (something actually old school, not just a single IC on a board).

[@suezq74]

Nice one!

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Thanks! 🙏

[@suezq74]

@@JamiesBrickJams You know that your brushed motor is just like other brushed motors and it won’t last long like brushed motors. Try and make a brushless!

[@brickdreams1]

You do it very carefully and patiently

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Thanks 😁

[@exterminater267]

You should've made a guard on the rotors to keep the wire from flying off.

[@bratuni_minecraft]

I love you're vids make more like this pls

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Sure will 😉 And thanks!

[@justinpatterson5291]

Chuck some cap ends or a rubber band around your wire loops to keep them in place a little better.

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Woah. I was brainstorming some non-permanent ways of better securing those wire loops.. but didn't think of rubber bands. Great suggestion, thanks 🙏

[@NIGHTMERUL]

You should use metal lego pieces so the cooper wire magnetic field is echanced

[@rioforce]

That stops being lego and just becomes… a car

[@mathiaschaves7604]

hum... so that's a "brush". I aways wandered what was the part that was "missing" in a brushless motor. Cool!

[@brickleyyard4966]

What if u divided each windings of a 100 lopes in the 5 lops of 20 so that you still have 100 lopes per each side but twist the 5 wires to make a thicker armature wire

[@ivannorassat4397]

Cool vid btw

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Cheers 😁

[@user-xn4tv1oq7k]

wow cool motor

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Ha cheers 😀

[@Dipplers]

You said you were going to make a motor and you did. Nice

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Cheers 😁

[@oPlazmaMC]

Now time to actually make these things operational for over 2 minutes

[@michaburas1294]

you should get the Nobel Prize

[@user-nm3mw4mw1c]

the links for the fan at the 3:49 point of the video look to be reinforced with some light weight parts so hey maybe that's a cheap fan you could use for summer.

[@DigitalDr1ft05]

Its can be cool for a lego electrical clocks

[@After_Tech_Industries]

What if you tied the windings to the rotor to keep them from falling off?

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Yeah ideally that's how it would work - I did a bad job on these windings. Gonna try an improved version with windings that can't slip off

[@nuclearboom2467]

make the sides of what your making your coils on flared so your coils dont keep flying off

[@EnvAdam]

I wonder if a Joule theif circuit would be handy here.

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Aw I love joule thieves! That's an interesting idea, I've no idea how a joule thief would perform with a motor. Guess we gotta try that 😉

[@operaatio5117]

I would have made the axles mounted on wheel hubs. Is stronger that way.

[@Pipe242]

Hooks that thing up to the absolute most power you can give it

[@JamiesBrickJams]

I want to do that on my next one 😉

[@Mulakulu]

After watching this, I realized a much more efficient and powerful design would use a little bit of logic, with a single SR latch. Instead of running the entire power through that tiny brush, use a voltage level signal with a series resistor to turn on and off an SR latch with an H bridge powering the motor. This will also prevent the motor from needing a kick-start. No more sparks, constant power, and avoids the unnecessary friction from large brushes

[@Mulakulu]

On second thought, this would require contacts with brushes to supply the voltage. At least we remove the sparks and increase the longevity

[@JamiesBrickJams]

I do like the idea of an H-bridge! I was wrecking my head trying to figure out how that mitigates the sparks from driving a large amount of external power 😅 But I get where you were thinking - thanks for the recommendation!

[@Mulakulu]

@@JamiesBrickJams On a normal brushed DC motor, the sparks occur because as the brush begins to touch the next pad, the motor draws an incredible amount of current through a very tiny contact area. With the brushes constantly in full contact and having it controlled electrically rather than physically, there would still be high currents when switching, but it's at least already making full contact and not vaporizing the brush due to the large surface area. Btw, I'm thinking of a high power DC motor here with maybe copper tape as a pad and carbon or brass brushes. Brass might be best for this use case

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Ah yes, certainly much larger pads would be needed for the contacts! I've been brainstorming materials to use that would be easy to integrate with Lego. Aluminium foil was one idea, but I'm sure that'd get worn down real quick. Might have to see if some copper pipe cuttings can be fitted to Lego. Thanks for your suggestions here though, this is helpful 👌

[@TheFactGuy88]

Hey, just wandering what magnet did you use here and where could I could get one like it?

[@JamiesBrickJams]

It's a large neodymium magnet I got from Amazon. Almost any magnet will work though!

[@TheFactGuy88]

Thanks :) ,Amazon seems like the place to go

[@DomyTheMad420]

i must still be half asleep because it took me till halfway through the video to realize "wait this means i never needed lego/knex branded engines? i could have just MADE THEM?!" before i remember my electric & tech classes and how i already knew all of this and "WHY DIDN"T I DO THIS?!"

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Haha you're probably better off buying them! But a fun project nonetheless

[@hillo3339]

hey, where did you get that copper wire, im looking for something like that?

[@JamiesBrickJams]

This stuff I just got from Amazon - they have loads of magnet wire

[@FilipTurek-di9bw]

I have tried this myself, well the coil is generating some magnetic field, but it dont work for me. And i think it would run, but i dont know what i did wrong.

[@JamiesBrickJams]

If there's some push or pull, it's probably just a timing issue, so moving the brushes around a little should work. Or the coils were not in the same direction - if both sides are repelling when you turn the rotor in both directions, one of the coils is the wrong orientation.

[@Koda_36]

Where did you get the copper wires? Please give links

[@JamiesBrickJams]

I get all my wire from Amazon, and use many different gauges, but this stuff works well for this kind of thing: BNTECHGO 24 AWG Magnet Wire - amzn.eu/d/gaNBcAA

[@kiriolvishnergo6140]

I don't know why, but it seems like wery steampunk looking thing, while it's fully electric, it is an interesting effect of copper wire

[@glowytheglowbug]

cute! brushless time

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Deffo, I've made quite a few brushless motors, and one of the next videos will be for a low power long-running brushless motor 😉

[@glowytheglowbug]

@@JamiesBrickJams awesome, ive never been motivated enough to wind coils for hours XD

[@user-pj4ow1gc7n]

Make an air-raid siren build of lego

[@Indestinate]

could use a ball bearing to get rid off the brushes

[@manu68563]

awesome

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Cheers 😁

[@lukasmacovsky4088]

yo ushould try to make a pump powered generator using gear ratios and compresed air!!!!

[@Atlessa]

Seems to me like you're just building a homemade motor, and the fact you're using Lego for the mechanical parts doesn't really much affect it's properties except for that plastic on plastic has relatively high friction compared to some of the other options out there. That said, good first concept. I'd suggest having more than just one string of wire where the brushes touch (loop it back and forth a dozen or so times?) since that seems to be a weakpoint, also might look into redesigning your "brushes" as well. As in... use more wires. Like in an actual brush. And then the next step would be completely redesigning that part of the assembly so you can put a little more constant force on the brushes, make the contact area bigger by using aluminium foil attached to a 'barrel'... those sorts of things. Looking forward to what you do next.

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Yeah it's pretty much just what you said - a pretty messy and somewhat pointless first attempt at a pretty basic concept that others have done before. But with Lego. I figure a motor made of Lego will interface with Lego easily, making it fun to power other Lego contraptions. Though Lego already makes motors, so I'd like to make another motor but much more powerful. At least then it'd have a benefit over existing Lego motors. Cheers for the tips - I definitely want to make a better set of brushes. I thought of aluminium foil but suspect it'd wear down pretty quick. I've got some copper pipe I can cut to size which I have a bit more faith in, but will just have to see how it turns out. There's definitely a lot more to improve

[@Atlessa]

@@JamiesBrickJams Ohhhh, copper pipe is a FANTASTIC idea! Saw off a small section (I'd say 1cm is probably enough) and then saw it in half lenghtwise with the thickest sawblade you can find (to create a gap between the poles) I'm sure you can see where to go from there. :D As for the brushes; definitely bend them a bit so the 'pointy' end of the wire points outward a bit, to make sure they definitely touch with a 'soft' curve - to minimize friction and therefore wear.

[@Cool_boy9876]

I love your videos but can you upload more Love you videos❤❤

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Cheers 😁 Wish I could upload more, but building, experimenting, and video production takes a long time, and I have a full time job

[@marianbuduroi6463]

Make a 3D printer out of Lego 😀

[@josefskowronek2600]

I'd like to See a 3d printer too

[@Eluderatnight]

Then 3dp not legos.

[@eminstinct4114]

@@Eluderatnight nah you dont even get the difference of what there asking and what you think there asking

[@Shadowex.]

Then print lego

[@povelitel_shavermy]

​@@Shadowex.The cycle continues...

[@amirrtvukoo]

perfect

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Aw cheers 😄🙏

[@SeriousApache]

Maybe add some steel core in rotor?

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Not a bad idea for a V2!

[@andyjung1949]

Did u use a nail clipper to cut that wire

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Sure did

[@mishkamcivor409]

Electromagnets for the stators would be cool

[@JamiesBrickJams]

That'll certainly be how my next brushless motor works 😉

[@the3dpenguy613]

7:12 it was only pulling 110 milliamps?

[@kajin807]

How do you increase the torque of the motor?

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Mostly by increasing input voltage or by gearing it down. This particular design could certainly benefit from more magnets and coils though as there are large dead gaps

[@thespaceman4576]

0:05 This copper wire... To hold... ME?

[@ethanpschwartz]

I'm starting to resent all my Lego being sold in a garage sale.

[@CharredSG]

Bro said motor 69,420 times

[@JaysonB21]

No then he would say 128 times per second

[@Wy_WyTheWizard]

unfunny

[@KneppaH]

The power supply has the possibility to give it 10 amps, but the motor only use a fraction of it. It never got past 1A, only the last moment before failing 1,24A.

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Yup, I suspect those contacts are touching so quickly that the power supply is attempting to provide an indicator of averaged draw over a period of time

[@David-ty6my]

We got electric lego Tank before GTA VI

[@JamiesBrickJams]

😂

[@DarmiGames]

8:10 this sounds like my 1.9tdi car😂

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Haha 😂

[@goodtimeswithcoops]

The amps does nothing if the voltage is low or the cables are small

[@aleksandertymkiewicz9030]

what thickness of the copper wire you use? oh and I love your comment❤❤❤

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Thanks, appreciate it 😁 For the coils, I used 30 gauge wire, and then the brushes were 24 gauge wire. Best of luck for your own build if you're gonna try one yourself!

[@aleksandertymkiewicz9030]

Thx

[@mackagg4582]

Now try to do comutator from a aluminum tape and see how much more efficient it is.

[@JamiesBrickJams]

I was actually wondering about that myself! I need to find some suitable materials for a larger commutator. My suspicion as that aluminium foil will get obliterated by large currents, but it's still worth a try. My current plan is to cut some copper pipe to size and try that if aluminium foil fails. Good suggestion!

[@RobinHabets]

@@JamiesBrickJamscould you also make a launching system with hydraulics?

[@bobthebuilder6504]

5:00 look at the stop watch

[@ChaChaBorkDog]

I built mine, but I have had some problems getting it going. I am using 2 neodymium magnets, and for the contacts, I am using a different material. (Not copper, but there is 9 volts still going thru. ] any ideas?

[@JamiesBrickJams]

It could be a number of things. First of all, what material are you using if it's not copper? The only other common material that might work is aluminium wire, but it'll be significantly worse. And then next you'd need to make sure the timing is correct. And finally the orientation of the coils needs to be correct. Those are the main places I'd start troubleshooting

[@ChaChaBorkDog]

@@JamiesBrickJams for the rotor, i am using copper, the copper is coated in enamel, and i think that everything in the rotor should be working, but it is not. I took it off the thing that makes it spin freely, (the holder) and applied two wires onto the contact points, and their was still no magnetic force form the copper. The only think that is not copper is the contact points, that go directly to the motor, but that is not the problem. I did 100 loops, and followed it the same way for the other side. I have sanded down the contact points but still not luck. It might be the kind of coppper I’m using, maybe it’s not evenly coated in enamel, so there are some points touching?

[@ChaChaBorkDog]

⁠@@JamiesBrickJamsalso, i spun it and it generated a few millivolts of electricity, so it seems to be right, but something must be wrong.

[@JamiesBrickJams]

That's strange. If you take your loops near a magnet and apply 9 volts across it (you using a 9v battery for this?) and place the loops near a strong magnet, you should feel either a push or a pull. Only things I can think of is either you might have some issue with enamel (is it old wire?) or your magnets aren't strong enough. Or the orientation of the loops isn't perpendicular to the magnet

[@ChaChaBorkDog]

@@JamiesBrickJams i am using a durecell 9 volt battery, and maybe the enaml was just for protection, not insulation. I will get a brand new copper wire and try again. Thank you for your help.

[@caposey]

3:50 *_break_* "wobble wobble"

[@JamiesBrickJams]

😂

[@bean2594]

Not sure what a 3 pole rotor could do with just DC. Your poles would just be North, South, then North again. You need an even number of poles.

[@JamiesBrickJams]

You're totally right, with this setup, the 3 armature rotors don't add anything - they're actually less efficient. But I made them to work with some other experiments I'm working on 😉

[@cornalrob]

make a brushless one

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Underway 😉

[@Yellow_bud]

What happens if you make a rc plane with that motor

[@JamiesBrickJams]

I feel like a Lego RC plane would be real heavy 😄

[@truck-140-hp-engine.]

3 plane to auto start to 1.5v power and 3v power supply and start better circuit 🙂🙂🙂

[@ps2killer1]

Add more magnets!!!!

[@IAmMeomeo]

try taking a shot everytime he aays rotor or motor

[@JamiesBrickJams]

🥂

[@bendybot1]

Can you test a Lego engine with it?

[@Wolkebuch99]

Kinda feel like a brushless build would work better

[@Scott-jk5zk]

He met his quota of , stator, motor and rotar

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Can't unhear it now 😅

[@fabe61]

Man I used to listen to this song all the time but I can't remember who it's by and it's enraging me

[@JamiesBrickJams]

Which one? I'll get the name for you

[@lukasmacovsky4088]

try to make 2 comutators and 2x more copper wires and

[@Eluderatnight]

Add more permanent magnets, arms, and phases.