Playing with: Magnetic Levitation Platform

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Magnetic Levitation Platform on Banggood.com: bit.ly/2suYDh7
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[@JulianIlett]

Interested in my new garden workshop? Follow the entire build on Julian's Shednanigans: kzbin.info/door/XfDjPehpC7B7lW2JFxeS4w

[@JjMn1000]

Ok!

[@shiwanshpathak8929]

Can we move the base and so that the levitating top also moves/fly along with it? I mean if we move the base to a certain distance say d metres, will the levitating top go along with it keeping the magnetic equilibrium?

[@mauriziofigini]

in europe not everything is plugged into a dollar store "shavers only" adaptor though

[@Michael-he2nn]

Sometimes he does make himself look a little silly.

[@mauriziofigini]

I suppose he does it in purpose to stir up a bit of "outraged" comments and have a giggle :)

[@Mark1024MAK]

maurizio figini You can get proper adaptors, like this one: hobbycomponents.com/2546-thickbox_default/euro-to-uk-plug-adapter.jpg

[@Roy_Tellason]

@@Mark1024MAK My impression was that it was his adapter that was providing the wobble rather than the plug...

[@ltsgobrando]

He does make a valid point though... I'm from Canada and we almoat exclusively use type A plugs (110v, 20A). We also got NEMA plugs, but you basically never see them. They look a lot like the Australian plugs except the prongs usually are all vertical, oh ya and they are used for rather high power appliances (220v at 60A is the highest available in my area). Kinda threw me through a loop when he held up his Australian plug like It was no big deal... I got buddies who will flip the breaker before unugging one 🤣. Compare that with UK plugs.... honestly I'd be scared to use UK plugs for fear of breaking them.

[@DanTheMiddleagedMan]

The plug is wobbly because your power socket is not recessed, Julian 😑

[@kyoudaiken]

Yes. Cheap adapter. Possibly the "FUSED" note is even not the truth. I bet this cheap thing is not fused at all.

[@Heimbasteln]

I did manage to break a 2 pin plug, but it was unplugged, they are quite hard to break when they are in a socket

[@nick15677]

Indeed, plug it in an proper european socket and no worries.

[@natejgee]

It's a proper Euro>UK adapter sold here in the UK and it does have a proper fuse inside. It's not like the deathdapters that bigclive uses from time to time.

[@cedrichirschi8036]

you're right. uk plugs are a nightmare though

[@maicod]

Julian the noddyness is due to the plug converter. The normal EU sockets hold the plug very well

[@JulianIlett]

In truth I'm a big fan of the Schuko plug. I like it even more than our UK plug.

[@maicod]

LOL well this one it the narrow kind of that plug (no idea what it's called) but as one here already said, in normal sockets the diamond shaped plastic outline around the pins fits between plastic pegs (slots) in the socket. However there are also non-earthed sockets in my 70s home and they are having a flat surface meaning only the pins enter the socket but I can't say plugs with 'heavy' adapters directly on them are easily falling out of those as well (my own experience)

[@Mark1024MAK]

For low power devices, the Bell and Lee shrouded mini 3 pin plug is the best. It's smaller than even the USA styled two pin plugs. At work we use these for use with test gear leads that plug into panel mounted sockets. But is not permitted on a ring main circuit, due to having no fuse and due to it's low current rating. If you want a smaller plug that is legal in the U.K., use a U.K. 5A round pin plug. Wall socket plates are available, as are adaptors for use with our 13A sockets. Note that wall sockets would have to be fed via a fused spur or via a dedicated radial circuit with a 6A MCB or 5A fuse.

[@johncherry108]

Most people don't know how magnets work Julian. About 25 years ago I was working for Patent Attorneys and one of their clients had invented a motor which was claimed to derive its power from permanent magnets. The inventor was having difficulty producing a working prototype because the bugs hadn't been worked out, yet... I may have said something about permanent magnets not working like that, and the client's solicitor (who was present as an investor) said something like "It might. No-one understands magnets anyway..."

[@TechGorilla1987]

THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!!! ~ Jean-Luc Picard

[@AJB2K3]

Epic, nice one!

[@trick2stab314]

Another star trek fan FINALLY YAAAAY

[@thesolderingbot4718]

Comment section: 99% Talking about plugs 1% ect.

[@DeinVatersVater]

et cetera. Not ec tetera. It's freakin etc. Not ect.

[@ElmerFuddGun]

LM324, LM358, 4066 - amazing that these 40 year old ICs are still in common use!

[@RambozoClown]

I have a levitating globe on my bookshelf with the base unit hidden inside a book. It also rotates and everyone notices it and does a double take. It doesn't have the LEDs and can be tricky to get balanced, so I keep it plugged into my computers UPS so I don't have to fight with it every time I have a little power glitch.

[@amrullahalmubarakah421]

Price?

[@PeterMancini]

"Oooh I don't want to whack these unprotected switched on coils." Proceeds to whack them.

[@joselitofiguracion4804]

thanks for this great dissectioning video.. finally got a chance to look inside it :-D

[@randall.chamberlain]

Only people in the UK are convinced that their behemoth franken-plug is the best there is. Euro plugs are as safe yet much more ergonomic and elegant than your brick.

[@alanpatterson2384]

Unfortunately, the euro plugs lack a fuse and the sockets lack adaptability. I have never seen combined UBS sockets in Europe.

[@theblueescapologbb227]

Ooof. I'm sorry @Randall Chamberlain but thems fighting words round here! Oh, and it isn't "Your Brick"… it's "The Original Brick" #ThankYouVeryMuchIndeed :-)

[@frogz]

these are powered by goats, you can hear them when adjusting the position

[@OnideusMadHatter]

"I SEE FOUR LIGHTS!" - Picard

[@jasonmhite]

The pots are adjusting the stability of the field, you can see it start spinning CW and CCW as you adjust the first one and the second one looks like it's to compensate for oscillation.

[@RedwoodRhiadra]

Yeah, I couldn't figure out the second one, but the first pot was clearly causing the magnet to rotate one direction and then the other as Julian fiddled with it.

[@geekrawker1]

makes sense. at first i thought it might have been a buck converter for powering the windings, but it reminds me of old gyros for 3D RC helicopters.. looks to be controlling the field axis

[@Impetuss]

No, actually its for adjusting pull direction of the suspended magnet. For example when you turn one pot it will pull more to one side. I have almost identical kit, except it was a DIY kit i soldered together. The coils, pots, the big ring magnet etc is identical. And in the instructions thats what the pots do. No idea why it doesnt do anything for this guy though. Here are the instructions, scroll to bottom to see about the adjustment: s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?file_id=26748642999247571190

[@Impetuss]

It doesnt start spinning CW and CCW as hes turning, it spins both ways regardless, cant you see its spinning both ways before he touches pots?

[@Impetuss]

The pots might not be connected to anything, since when you have tuned it correctly theres no reason to touch the pots again

[@TheBdd4]

Julian, thanks for examining a very interesting device. The D882 is a 3 amp NPN and the B772 is the PNP complement.I plan to use complementary mosfets in a levitator design.

[@mokhlistube]

I enjoyed watching your video julian thanks for sharing the experiment

[@Impetuss]

I have this too, but i built it from a DIY kit. The 2 pots are for adjusting magnet pull direction, so if you increase one of them one magnet will pull more in one direction. Strange how yours didnt do much though

[@geniusaur]

8:59 scared the shit outta me

[@richbuilds_com]

That first pot definitely was for fine tuning the 'spin'. ie, you can fine tune it so the item does/doesn't spin and by how much.

[@AndroidUserCFB]

I noticed that; it was like steering a canal barge, there was a definite delay between input and seeing the effect.

[@drteeth7054]

What a great spliff toy!

[@AJB2K3]

Its wobbly because you have the wrong adapter or an old adapter. All our Eu adapters that we brought last year work fine but the older one are wobbler then a polititions promises​.

[@CMDRunematti]

"Wobbler"....sounds like a Batman villain

[@bellphreak4370]

The pins in that europlug are only designed for 2.5A. Otherwise it would be a full Schuko, round instead of flat. Schuko's can be used with any Earthing system, since we've got multiple plug/socket types across Europe, which all comes back in the universal Schuko. A europlug takes less space in a powerstrip then a Schuko. The europlug is commonly used around Europe for phone chargers, trimmers, kitchen appliances, etc. And your magnetic levitation device. In my opinion the British plug is just odd. It's quite incapable of being waterproof! A Schuko can be made waterproof (due specially designed plugs/sockets, mostly for garden use), due that the Schuko plug is round, and lays recessed in the socket (compared to a flat surface of the UK). How does that work in the UK? We'd also use CEE plugs (16/32A single phase, blue. 16/32/63A/125A three phase, red) which are at least IP44 and at best IP68. Are those also used in the UK? The wobbliness is your converter! Plug war started! ;-) -------- On topic: Can you power a led from the magnetic fields? To levitate a powered led?

[@JulianIlett]

Or a new phone charger where the phone floats in mid air :) I'm a big fan of the Schuko plug.

[@Mark1024MAK]

BellPhreak Our ingress protected / weather protected / outside sockets take normal UK 13A plugs. Yes in industrial applications CEE connectors are used. Especially yellow plugs and sockets for building and portable power applications. The Wikipedia entry even mentions the BS standard (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_60309).

[@debraquantmeyer7483]

What I would use a gadget like this for would be to create a prop for theater. A rotating, levitating cup for a musical called Matilda in particular. At least this is my first thought on how to do it! LOL

[@jpopelish]

I would like to see you explore the pole patterns on the ring magnet and puck. I predict the ring magnet is either a standard speaker magnet (one pole on each flat side) or one pole on the inner and one on the outer circumference. I suspect the puck is actually a stack of two neodymium magnets, but I don't have a prediction of its pole pattern. It would also be interesting to see what an eddy current filter (say, copper clad board), under the magnet would do to the feedback response.

[@ftrueck]

The EU Plug is so wobbly because you do not have the propper socket for it. Usually the plug sits very strong in its place.

[@ElmerFuddGun]

The multi turn trim pots might be to adjust the transistor bias currents. Just playing with them might not be the best idea unless you are precisely counting the turns. Use a regular screwdriver so you can see the exact head position as you turn them. I would also use an ammeter to watch the input current. Some basic track tracing might indicate their use.

[@PanteraPersa]

I see that you've played Snarky Pluggey, before :)

[@Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

It looks very similar in operation to those table top devices that come with a floating globe of the Earth

[@williamhill5074]

Now i know why ufo's have blinking lights

[@MalcolmReynolds14]

I couldn't resist, I had to order one.

[@cadmiumbop]

0:08 every single thing I order summed up in one video. Thanks

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

I suspect that this is the basis of a rather expensive turntable with a gravity deifying turntable.

[@twentycm]

Hey Julian, I’m wondering what will happen if you put the floating magnet in the centre before turning it on and then turn the unit on, cheers

[@happyvirk1]

That LCD distortion describes the pulsating lights of ufo’s we usually see

[@thedutchretrogamer]

it`s a cheap plug the plugs we use in the netherlands are not wobbly have a nice weekend

[@rolanddonovan]

3 points are more stable than two

[@gabest4]

I heard you need a similar magnetic field to store anti-matter safely. Or for the plasma in a fusion reactor. Great youtube projects for the future. Good luck!

[@mark_clift]

Yes, the small sensor at the top is Hall Effect. It's using a closed loop system to 'correct' the voltage passing through the electro magnets. Edit: The screws should be the adjustment for the hall effect sensor

[@VideoNash]

Awesome.

[@DrGreenGiant]

I don't want it to hit the coils.... Splat :-p lol. Great video mate, very interesting

[@julianpiper240]

From memory a CD4066 is either a hex schmitt trigger or yes analog switches as you said

[@pushpakp]

On what Principle it works plz tell me sir...I m doing one of project.which is related to magnetic flux ..

[@stavros015]

@12:36 There are Hall effect sensor for the 3 axis XYZ. If it works correct then it means you can tilt the device without the lev. magnet geting out off alignement.

[@TheBdd4]

I counted about 42 comments on the plug, the, insignificant and unimportant part of Julian's presentation. He is examining something relatively complex, important and useful to us all. Some may view the unit as a toy but there is much to be learned from this design. For example (1) What is the function of the large ring magnet? (2) Why is the suspended magnet oriented so it is attracted to the ring magnet? (3) When the suspended magnet is in a balanced position, what type of circuit is used to drive the 4 LEDs? (4) For what is the CD4066 analog switch used? (5) Julian did not mention finding 4 hall sensors near the top of the electromagnets, what tells the circuit where the suspended magnet is located? (6) What are the 2 multiturn potentiometers used for? (7) There are 8 transistors, how are they used to drive the coils? (8) What are the 4 little circuit boards in the center of the device used for? (9) What is a 4419 and how is it used? (10) How many turns are there in each electromagnet? (11) How much current is used to drive each one? (12 Why is audio generated when Julian forces the suspended magnet downward toward the coils? (13) How much current is used to lift the incredible weight (for this small circuit) of about 500 grams (USA: 1/2 pound)? Come, let us reason on these questions...........

[@avejst]

Wow, just a gift for Fathers day.. :-)

[@rich1051414]

The inductors would absolutely swamp those hall effects, so I assume those are only read when the coils aren't being powered?

[@claddc4]

I have documentation on reverse engineering this particular board if anyone interested. I didn't see much interest initially so it never went anywhere. Those transistors are 1/2 MOSFETs and 1/2 BJTs forming half bridges. The whole thing is an analog control system anyone can do which I found pretty interesting.

[@andrasszasz4373]

Hello, I am interested in the schematics if you still have it? If so my email is [e-mail]

[@TaragorTV]

Hey could you send me your documentation? Trying to build something simmilar right now.

[@sparkyprojects]

Fridge magnets won't work, they are made with alternate strips of north/south poles next to each other, put 2 back to back and slide them (thanks to steve mould) is that a hall effect sensor or a temp sensor ?

[@webchimp]

I was waiting for 'kathunk splash' at the end there.

[@JasonSimpson1966]

I would put a circle of the foam pad on the bottom of the levitating disc, that way you still have protection while experimenting with the cover off.

[@edwinsmith1051]

Looks like some jail house knowledge while writing everything on a white wall lol

[@garthhowe297]

I was waiting for a "bang" and then the smoke to be released.... lol

[@tomthomas334]

thats so badass, neat, i want it, now send yours ! lol

[@tomthomas334]

Im gonna order one soon, not sure if this or another, i love it

[@corneliussteward6547]

A very good content grandpa,I'm your new subscriber☕

[@bpark10001]

The trouble with this is that if you allow the floating magnet to sit on the base off center, it permanently partially demagnetizes the ferrite magnet in the base, ruining the device.

[@wsy5519]

So if i use a neodymium magnet instead of the supplied levitating one it wont levitate? Maybe the bigger metal acts as a balancer

[@colinstamp9053]

What happens if you stick a small magnet to the end of a screwdriver and wave it around under the spinner?

[@paulthurston2883]

I just received one of these. I can't get the magnetic disc to balance. It worked randomly a couple of times, now it just throws the magnet off. I can't get it to balance at all. I've tried adjusting the pots with varying degrees of change to the pull strength etc. Any ideas before I toss it in the trash ?

[@univac2000]

It's using peaces of induction creatively. The disk it came with is probably they key. Not just a magnet but also aluminum for lens law allowing for the feed back info. Through the induction coils. My guess.

[@blubbspinat9363]

At 15:04 you can see a red light on the bottom of the PCB. Does ist have to do with setup or maybe the pots?

[@TechnoW1zard]

Have you seen any videos from Eric Laitwathe? He was a UK prof. of electrical engineering who did a large scale version of this levitating a great sphere, in his 1960s/70s video about electromagnetism.

[@VideoNash]

awesome

[@joed2392]

The pots seem to control the strength of two toroidial fields. One clockwise, the other anti/counter clockwise ! Slick little gadget !! So, what field/effect happens from the bottom ?

[@AnanusBananus]

No wobbles when the plug is in a socket thats designed to use with one, not an adapter that takes usa, japan and indochinamenistan plugs. I had a cellphone charger, wallwart, from a Samsung, w it h that exact plug, it got hit by a foot while plugged in and the case broke, not the pins of the plug. And the case was thick plastic as well..

[@alanpatterson2384]

In my case, a similar incident resulted in a broken European socket.

[@yurenajorcanomagic9852]

Hello! I love the effect and I want to do one but I see that all tend to turn on themselves. Is it possible to do it without turning, that is, simply levitate still?

[@JulianIlett]

A magnet might stop it turning :)

[@DDock3287]

How much power does that thing draw. It would be a cool display case, but if it draws an amp that would be a bit unnecessary. With as much heat as it is putting out, I can't imagine it is a small amount.

[@danklyf4202]

Hi, i just got mine today, from eBay. You know that white part at the end of the red and black wires that connect into the module? That white part is just barely too big for the slot, and the parts design doesn't match up with the receiver parts design. What can i do to fix this? I thank you in advance for any help.

[@ciccioformaggio6897]

Hi friend ... would you be kind enough to give me some information? Is the top disc a magnet or a simple metal? They only gave me the base: do you know where I can only buy the disc? Thank you very much in advance!

[@jlucasound]

The foam is a GREAT idea!! Thanks!

[@CMDRunematti]

i never had a "feeble" plug like that break or even damage before : P

[@PCr4zy]

how many watts it pulls with/out magnet and how hot can it get(with/out load)?

[@paranoiia8]

I would install it under the table and put small flickering led light on it that look like candle. That would look cool at night

[@hobbyrob313]

Hi Julian, you might want to make a video with the Arduino and the AD9850 - but not for sound but for radio amateur as a goal a video about how you put it together and program it? greetings from the Netherlands! Rob.

[@FlumenSanctiViti]

Julian, why don't you measure current drawn when the magnet is not suspended, when it is and when there's a heavy load placed on top of it?

[@whitefordpipeshandmadebymi7238]

Cool stuff! I love it ! Who is going to buy me One !?!? 😜 take care! Peace from Welland Ontario Canada 🇨🇦

[@ddrninjette]

THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!!!!

[@Exarhadsgfds]

The feedback control loops are high gain and under-damped because you need really fast response

[@noigelskram2435]

Can you put a receiver coil on the hovering magnet to power an LED?

[@artbear5653]

UK plug is large and clunky also due to it holding the fuse in it, rest of EU has very good grid system, way better then the one in US... Also the plug wobles as its inserted into cheap multi plug adapter..

[@whatever9042]

Can you do this with a flying car? Have the bottom as the flying device and the pod that levitates to be the personnel carrier?

[@TheMechanator]

I would put a heat sink on those transistors so they last longer. Just a strip of Aluminium with some thermal grease applied in between it. Either spring load it with clips on the edge of the pcb or glue it with superglue/T-8000. I am curious about the schematic also. There is a DIY assemble kit for about $30 on Ebay, I bet that would include the schematic and explain more about the trim pots purpose.

[@ihorivanko569]

Hi! What will happen if you turn the platform off the electricity? The magnet will hit nearest magnet on the platform?

[@rosyid2414]

magic

[@DocMicha]

The plug wobbles, because you have a bad adapter. In German Sockets it will be held in place by the two edges, which go right into the socket.

[@howardroark3052]

Just read all the comments and, unless I missed it, nobody asked how long the darn thing will spin with such low friction!?!

[@themarshall8951]

"You europeans" *has a british accent*

[@PandaFPV]

I bought one of these but it leans too much to one side. Is there a way to calibrate this?

[@silvestro771]

is there any kind of non trivial documentation about technical details of this device?

[@drewx10]

I'm fairly certain this works with out the unit being powered on. Did you try that? The reason I say that, is that I've seen a number of videos where people take a ring magnet like the one in the unit and then build a spinning top. The spinning top is loaded with weights until its able to balance like the little floating top you have. They have spun their top probably to help average out any inbalance in the top.

[@iamdarkyoshi]

I need a big one to float my graphics cards on

[@juboism2533]

iamdarkyoshi the magnetic field might fry the electronics.

[@Miguel-xs9jd]

We know there are permanent magnets, electromagnets and a feedback loop, but how does it actually work? I would have been nice if you explained that in the video.

[@TheBdd4]

With such an interesting device review, why the obsession with a loose/wobbly plug from so many?

[@sasodoma]

TheBdd4 because many of us use it everyday and we know they hold very well if you have the right socket.

[@mauriziofigini]

UK plugs maybe safer but they're bloody patronising.

[@danyeloliveira9033]

It’s is because you don’t have the power plug onthat stile its is safer then most plugs avoid you take shocks if you are a kid and try to plug things to the plug that model protects it

[@shravanrajagopalan4387]

Where could I get one of these boards where I can tune the feedback controller gains myself ?

[@JulianIlett]

You can get it from icstation.com

[@jek__]

I imagine these devices will look very quaint to future humans who depend on magnetic levitation in their daily lives :P

[@boburjontokhirov6967]

What is the maximum load of the magnet?

[@off-gridhillbillystyle3735]

What dose the magnetic field look like?

[@matstermind]

could you levitate a smaller magnet? (i.e 3mm/25mm)

[@IvanVoras]

So many unanswered questions for such a neat gadget :( How much current does the platform draw, and how does the power consumption change with the weight of the levitated object? How does the voltage waveform on the LEDs look like? Or on the input plug?

[@JAKOB1977]

The power draw is very litle when its just standing and rotating under a few hundred milliamps, its so little thta my QD188 power bank kicks off if I haven't set it to not turn off automatic, as its thinks there is no load. but the moment you put pressure on the plateau the power increases massively, on my power bank I saw spikes up around 1.6amp when i tried to place items on it or put some pressure down on it, most of the time it was around 0.6amp., but when its just standing and rotating with an item on it its very little and only a few hundred miliamp.. you can see the power bank display shows cero here in amps, and thats when its under 0.2amp... i.imgur.com/c9msNED.mp4