I Finally Got My Final Build Self Runner Spinning Strong

Hook

This is our self-runner. This is how we do it. After trying 36 different rewirings and connections, I believe this final build self runner is the best one yet.

Watch this experiment

I gave the rotor a healthy counter-clockwise spin at 2:30 and let it go. It starts really fast, faster than it can sustain, then drops into a zone where it continues at a pretty consistent rate. The rate of descent plateaus occasionally and it was still moving at a good clip past the five-minute mark.

What you'll learn

You’ll see the exact solar-panel parallel setup feeding a 50 V 9,400 µF cap bank, how the coils connect to the AC side of the bridge rectifier, and why diodes only go on everything filling the caps. I also talk about the half-coil 26-gauge drive strand that works a lot better and the magnetic sculpture prototype I’m bouncing ideas off while the rotor spins.

From the bench

On the bench we have the solar panels in parallel doing current. The cap bank sits on one side of the bridge rectifier. Every coil has part of it on the AC side. The drive coil is half of a coil at 26 gauge. The 32-gauge coil on the generator side seems to help too. Everything going into the cap bank gets a diode; the reed switch and drive do not, so energy from the caps can’t flow backward. All coils weigh 5 oz each.

How it works / what we changed

I changed to a single 26-gauge drive strand instead of two 32-gauge coils in the 180 circuit. That seems to be working wonders. The rotor starts fast then settles. It’s not a consistent drop but the rate of descent plateaus. I think this thing is running itself in a free-energy-concept kind of way, though friction and hindrance of motion are the real costs. No perpetual motion here, but it’s a cool demonstration.

Rotor again. look

Let’s check our rotor again. Look at that. At the five-minute mark it was still moving at quite a clip even though it had slowed from the initial burst. That plateau I mentioned earlier was clearly visible and I called it pretty awesome.

Build self runner check

This build self runner check shows the whole system after all the tweaks. Solar in parallel, 50 V and 9,400 µF cap bank, diodes only on the fill side, 26-gauge half-coil drive, and the rotor holding a steady plateau after the fast start. Of all 36 versions this one feels like the winner.

Rotor here. oh

Rotor here. Oh man, we’re at 2 minutes and 30 seconds and we’re still moving at quite a clip. It’s definitely slowing down though. We’re almost at that plateau point I was talking about. It’s going to stay like that for a while.

Builder checklist

• Solar panels wired in parallel for current
• 50 V, 9,400 µF cap bank on the DC side of the bridge
• All coils tied to AC side; drive is half-coil 26 gauge
• Diodes only on every line filling the cap bank
• Reed switch and drive coil have no diodes on output
• Rotor spun counter-clockwise with healthy wrist flick
• 5 oz coils, length calculations pending trig or pre-measure
• Magnetic sculpture prototype with north-south disc pairing ready for next magnets

Troubleshooting

If it drops too fast, try the 26-gauge half-coil drive instead of two 32-gauge coils. Make sure diodes face only into the cap bank so energy doesn’t bleed backward. Initial spin must be strong; it always slows but should plateau instead of stopping quickly. Watch the 2:30 and 5-minute marks to see if your plateau matches.

Safety

Magnets are strong; keep fingers clear of the spinning rotor. Capacitors hold charge, discharge safely after the run. The sculpture prototype uses magnetic coupling on a larger scale, so watch for pinch points when scaling up.

FAQ

How long does the final build self runner spin?

Over five minutes from one wrist flick, settling into a plateau after the fast start.

Why only diodes on the input to the cap bank?

So energy from the caps can’t go back into what’s filling them.

Is the 26-gauge drive coil really better?

Yes, it runs a lot better than the two 32-gauge coils in the 180 circuit I tried before.

Will this run forever?

No. Friction and air resistance are the costs, but the concept is still cool.

Related on this site

• How to Build a Pulse Motor: Parts, Coil Gap, First Spin
• Pulse Motor Rotor Design: Magnets, Materials and Balance
• Best Wire Gauge for Pulse Motor Coils (AWG Guide)
• Pulse Motors and Free Energy: What's Actually Going On?
• I Finally Got My Pulse Motor Running (Reed Switch)
• 7+ Minutes of Motion: Magnetic Disc Spinning With Just a Wrist Flick

Watch this experiment on YouTube

• ▶ Watch full on YouTube