Model maglev train, simple attractive-mode EMS (Transrapid)

[wolfekeeper]

Very nice BTW!

[Sandhi5000]

@wolfekeeper

Thanks, it's a bit silly but it is amazing how it can move without moving parts! Air as a wheel.....

[wolfekeeper]

Shouldn't you really have two lifting permanent magnets in a line?

Having one will tend to be rotationally unstable in yaw, although I admit I couldn't see it in the video, (maybe you've done something to fix it in another way?)

[Sandhi5000]

@wolfekeeper

It is rotationally unstable in yaw to some extent, though I think the two electromagnets stabilize it somewhat. Probably two permanent magnets would make it more stable though, in fact I guess the more magnets of any kind the more stable it would be. It's amazing how strong neodymium magnets are, my electromagnets pale in comparison, I think there is little lifting force that they can do, though of course they have the advantage of being modulate-able.

[Sandhi5000]

I measured the current used while it levitates, it is about 250 milli amps or 0. 25 A.

So the energy used to levitate is about 2.1 watts

[Sandhi5000]

It might be interesting to try using bifilar electromagnets with a maglev, either a model or full size. Apparently they can produce a stronger magnetic field, but with the same amount of wire. This could enable maglev trains to be lighter.

[redefinitionof]

@Sandhi5000

I had to read up on bifilar coils. Took me a while to figure out the clue: But basically you are using parallel wires, so halving the length and doubling the area reduces the resistance by 4. So you can pump more electrons trough the wire, although your battery of course must be able to handle a higher current.

[redefinitionof]

@redefinitionof

Wait a minute: this is the same as just taking a thicker, but shorter wire... Or isn't it?

[Sandhi5000]

@redefinitionof

I think that the two wires are connected in series, rather than parallel. So the resistance is the same as a single wire coil, I think. So you are getting a stronger field for the same amount of current draw, which sounds too good to be true, but maybe it really is like this.

[redefinitionof]

Impressive,

Good to see that a design with only two electrical coils works. I think the simpler the design the better. What is the total weight of your maglev?

PS: I though that I already replied, but could not find my original message. Sorry if this is a duplicate.

[Sandhi5000]

@redefinitionof

Thanks Redef. The total weight of this thing is about 265 grams. I used balsa wood to try to keep the weight down.

You posted a comment similar to this on my channel profile, but I don't mind.

I think I might try to make a sci-fi body to enclose this model, maybe something like 1/24 scale, and maybe with model passengers of this scale.

At some point I will probably measure the current draw to work out the watts used and the efficiency of this model.