Help with my large scale electromagnet

In summary, the conversation discusses a project involving building a large scale electromagnet using a 5 ft rod of threaded steel wrapped in copper wire. The main issue is getting the magnet to work, despite trying various power sources such as 9 volt batteries and a semi battery. The individual has also conducted tests and researched different methods, but is still unable to get the magnet to work. Suggestions are given to use enamel-insulated magnet wire, increase the number of turns, and use Teflon tape for securing each layer. The individual also mentions plans for a much larger project involving scrap metal and considers using a hole in the center of the core for winding the wire.
  • #1
yomega
7
0
I am working on a project to make a large scale electromagnet and try as I might I just can't get past one part. Getting it to magnetize.

I have built the unit primarily out of a 5 ft rod of threaded steel (I will be replacing it with iron I just happened to have the rod already) wrapped in a copper wire that covers 3.5 ft of the rod.

My problem is that no matter what i hook up for a power source I simply cannot get it to magnetize I started from a design that indicated a few 9 volt batteries up to a battery out of a semi that weighs 80 lbs and even a few DC adapters all that came with the same result.

I ran as many tests as I could think of to find the solution I used a multimeter to measure the volts with and without the wire connected i powered some LEDs through the wire and even hooked up a semi battery witch resulted in the plastic on the wire to actually boil but still not even enough force to pick up a paper clip.

I just don't know what else to try or where else to look any help would be greatly appreciated.

I assumed this is large scale as all the pages i have found primarily talked about using nails for the core this is even just a prototype for a much larger project for moving scrap metal.
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PF, Yomega.
How many layers of how many turns do you have?
Also, plastic-insulated wire isn't often used for this purpose. Switching to enamel-insulated magnet wire might help. I'm not sure whether or not the threads on the rod make a difference, but it might be worth looking into.
 
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  • #3
It currently only has one layer with probably 100 turns maybe more.
I have some rubber coated wire all tho i doubt that would work any better.
As for the treads I did some research on it and it won't interfere with the field but it does very well to guide the wire in a smooth spiral.
 
  • #4
If you have just wrapped one length of wire around the thread then the turns/length is too low unless you are putting a huge current through the wire.
You would typically wrap a few hundred turns around the lengh of a nail to even be able to pick up paperclips with just a batterey.
 
  • #5
What kind of steel is the rod made of? You may just have a low permeability material.
 
  • #6
I just guessed at the turns I know it is 30 ft of wire around a 3/4in thread and I placed a magnet to the rod and it gets a pretty good connection
 
  • #7
For the length of the bolt that you want to wrap, you're probably looking at close to 1,000 feet of wire to get any significant lifting attraction out of it.
 
  • #8
Oh, I just got the picture of what you're doing. Wind all the turns in about a three inch section right at the very end of the rod. Then try that end as an electromagnet. It still won't be great, but you should see some effect. Why five feet?
 
  • #9
Thanks for the suggestion I will try that and the rod is five feet simply because it was something i had on hand the final product is likely going to be very different than my prototype
 
  • #10
OK. In an electromagnet, extra core length hurts rather than helps; when you make the real one, keep the core as short as possible and try to keep it in the general area where the field lines would be anyway.
 
  • #11
I managed to source some high quality magnet wire and I was wondering if having a hole in the center of the core would really affect the magnet i was having problems with the wire slipping as i was making the extra layers so if the wire could return to the bottom through a hole it may help. If this is a bad idea please let me know or possibly suggest a better way to wind the core thanks in advance
 
  • #12
yomega said:
I managed to source some high quality magnet wire and I was wondering if having a hole in the center of the core would really affect the magnet i was having problems with the wire slipping as i was making the extra layers so if the wire could return to the bottom through a hole it may help. If this is a bad idea please let me know or possibly suggest a better way to wind the core thanks in advance

I'm not sure what you're doing with the return, so I can't really say. The hole wouldn't hurt the core much. But, what you need is some very thin Teflon tape to secure each layer as you make it.
 
  • #13
I was planning for the hole to be used only for coiling the wire on extra layers but i will try the Teflon tape i tried electric tape but it just slipped off
 
  • #14
I still don't have a good picture of your problem. Are you using any kind of form for the coil? If not, do you have tension? What sort of aspect ratio?
 

1. How do I build a large scale electromagnet?

Building a large scale electromagnet requires a few key components, including a large iron core, a power source, and a coil of wire. The iron core should be shaped in a cylindrical or horseshoe shape, and the coil of wire should be wrapped around it tightly. The power source can be a battery or a power supply. The more turns of wire and the stronger the power source, the stronger the magnetic field will be.

2. How can I increase the strength of my large scale electromagnet?

There are a few ways to increase the strength of a large scale electromagnet. You can increase the number of turns of wire in the coil, increase the current flowing through the wire, or use a stronger iron core. It's important to note that increasing the current may require a stronger power source to handle the load.

3. What materials can I use for the wire in my large scale electromagnet?

The most commonly used wire for electromagnets is copper wire. It is a good conductor of electricity and can handle high temperatures. Other materials such as aluminum wire or silver wire can also be used, but they may not be as efficient as copper.

4. How can I control the strength of my large scale electromagnet?

The strength of an electromagnet can be controlled by adjusting the current flowing through the wire. A stronger current will produce a stronger magnetic field, while a weaker current will produce a weaker magnetic field. You can also use a variable power supply to adjust the current and control the strength of the electromagnet.

5. Is it safe to build and use a large scale electromagnet?

Building and using a large scale electromagnet can be safe as long as proper precautions are taken. It's important to use insulated wire and a power source that can handle the load. It's also important to keep the electromagnet away from electronics and other sensitive equipment, as it can interfere with their functioning. Additionally, it's important to handle the electromagnet with care and avoid getting fingers or other objects caught in the magnetic field.

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