I Finally Got My RL Circuit Levitation Spinning (Trike Vision)

Hook

I finally got a stable RL circuit-style levitation going with permanent magnets — an 8-inch disc floating a 10-inch one while three outside magnets push in. It spins with a flick and barely wobbles. Then my brain went full trike vision.

Watch this experiment

Watch the 8-inch top disc press down magnetically so the middle 10-inch disc floats about a centimeter. Three external magnets are all facing the same way, creating lift. Give it a flick and it spins for a surprising amount of time with almost zero added energy.

What you'll learn

You’ll see how little energy it actually takes once everything lines up. I talk through the constant flip-flopping problem, why the top disc helps, and how spinning motion can simulate forward travel. Plus I lay out the full levitation transportation trike vision that started all this.

From the bench

Everything you see was built from the ground up. The top eight-inch disc is elevated just enough that it presses with magnetic force instead of its full weight. That keeps the middle disc from wobbling too much. The three outside magnets are positioned to push inward and upward. Getting all the poles to agree without flipping is the messy part — they want to flop everywhere until you lock them in.

How it works / what we changed

The middle disc levitates because the three outside magnets push in while the top disc pushes down. Without the top disc the whole thing is unstable. With it, the downward pressure seems to turn instability into possible forward momentum. I mention that more magnets will come later — maybe four facing in and two facing out to use the other forces instead of fighting them. The space between magnets is supposed to create an opposite force but the main repulsion is stronger here.

Tesla coil

I keep thinking about Tesla coils because the original big ones were so powerful. If we could make quantum Tesla coils — same power but small enough to fit on a telephone pole or even go underground — we could create a real pillow of energy to float on. That’s the direction I hope we eventually lean toward instead of staying stuck with permanent magnets.

Magnet levitation diy

This magnet levitation diy uses only permanent magnets and three external pusher magnets. No added magnets on the spinning discs themselves. The top disc provides stabilizing downward pressure so the middle one spins more gracefully. It’s frustrating work getting them all aligned without flip-flopping, but once it’s right you can keep it going with almost no input. I challenge anyone to do it with fewer magnets or no discs at all while keeping it stable.

Levitation transportation trike vision

The whole thing started from a spontaneous vision of a motorcycle tricycle — a Motor Trike that could fly using anti-gravitational mechanisms. The wheels have two sides so three wheels become six surfaces. Inside each wheel an artificial environment is created that lets the whole trike lift off the ground and float. That vision is what kicked off all the magnet experiments you see here.

Builder checklist

• Start with an 8-inch base disc
• Float a 10-inch middle disc using three equally spaced external magnets
• Add an elevated 8-inch top disc for downward magnetic pressure
• Check that all poles face the same direction to avoid flip-flopping
• Give the middle disc a light flick and watch it spin
• Plan for future electromagnet pulsing when ready

Troubleshooting

The biggest headache is magnets wanting to flip and flop when you bring them close. Keep adjusting until all faces agree. If it wobbles too much, raise the top disc slightly so pressure is magnetic instead of weight. Without the top stabilizer the three-magnet setup is too unstable. More magnets or mixed pole directions may help later.

Safety

These are strong permanent magnets — keep fingers clear when aligning. They snap together hard. No high voltage or spinning blades in this build, but always wear eye protection when experimenting with levitating discs that could fly off if something lets go.

FAQ

Do I need electromagnets right away?

Not yet. This version runs on permanent magnets only. I mention that if I had the skills to build a pulsing circuit board with electromagnets I would do it immediately, but I’m learning as I go.

Will this actually move forward?

Not yet. Right now it just levitates and spins. The hope is that the stabilizing pressure can turn into forward momentum. Spinning a circle simulates forward motion — you can clock rotations and imagine it as distance traveled like a frisbee.

Why mention Tesla coils?

Because a quantum-size version could create the same powerful effect as the giant historical ones but in a small package. That energy pillow is what could make real levitation transportation possible.

Related on this site

• How to Build a Pulse Motor: Complete Beginner's Guide
• Magnetic Levitation with Six Donut Magnets
• 7+ Minutes of Motion: Magnetic Disc Spinning With Just a Wrist Flick
• Levitation & Electricity — Coil Demonstration

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