DIY Stirplate - Powerful and Cheap

ChilliChump
19 Jan 201809:03
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this DIY tutorial, the host guides viewers through creating a cost-effective stir plate for mixing solutions, typically sold for £70-80. The process involves sourcing a fan, rare-earth magnets, a stir bar, wire, and a 12-volt power supply. The video demonstrates magnet orientation, stir bar positioning, and electrical setup, including a variable resistor for speed control. It also addresses common issues like stir bar jumping off due to size and inertia, suggesting smaller bars and additional magnets for a stronger hold. The result is a functional stir plate tested with a one-gallon demijohn, providing a practical alternative to commercial options.

Takeaways
  • 🛠️ The video is a DIY tutorial on creating a stir plate, which can be made at home for less than the cost of buying one online.
  • 📦 A simple box is used as the base for the stir plate, and it can be inexpensively sourced from platforms like Amazon.
  • 💨 A fan is required for the stir plate, which should be easily accessible or affordable.
  • 🧲 The use of rare-earth magnets, specifically neodymium magnets, is crucial for the spinning mechanism of the stir bar.
  • 🔩 A stir bar is necessary and can be purchased online at a low cost.
  • 🔌 Wiring is needed to connect the fan to a power source, with a 12-volt wall wart recommended to provide sufficient power.
  • 🔄 A variable resistor or potentiometer is used to control the fan speed, allowing for adjustable stirring intensity.
  • 📍 Identifying the north and south poles of the magnets is important to ensure correct placement for optimal spinning of the stir bar.
  • 🔨 Gluing the magnets to the box requires careful alignment to prevent wobbling during operation.
  • 🛑 The script shares a troubleshooting tip: using a smaller stir bar can prevent it from flying off due to high inertia at higher speeds.
  • 🧲 Additional magnets can be added to increase the magnetic force, helping to keep the stir bar in place during operation.
Q & A

  • What is the purpose of the DIY project described in the transcript?

    -The purpose of the DIY project is to create a stir plate, a device used for mixing liquids in a laboratory or fermentation process, which can be costly to purchase but is easy to make at home.

  • What is the estimated cost of buying a stir plate online compared to making it yourself?

    -The estimated cost of buying a stir plate online is around 70-80 pounds, whereas making it yourself can be significantly cheaper.

  • What are the basic components needed to make a stir plate according to the transcript?

    -The basic components needed to make a stir plate include a box, a fan, rare-earth magnets (neodymium magnets), a stir bar, some wire for wiring, a 12-volt wall wart, and a potentiometer to control the fan speed.

  • Why is it important to identify the north and south poles of the magnets used in the stir plate?

    -Identifying the north and south poles of the magnets is important to ensure that the magnets are correctly positioned and oriented to create the necessary magnetic field for spinning the stir bar.

  • How does the size of the stir bar affect its performance on the stir plate?

    -A larger stir bar has higher inertia, which can cause it to jump off the stir plate at higher speeds. A smaller stir bar is more effective as it can be spun at higher speeds without flying off.

  • What is the role of the potentiometer in the stir plate setup?

    -The potentiometer is used to control the speed of the fan, which in turn controls the speed at which the stir bar spins.

  • What type of glue is suggested for attaching the magnets to the box in the DIY stir plate project?

    -Gorilla glue or super glue is suggested for attaching the magnets to the box, as these types of adhesives are strong and quick-drying.

  • Why is it recommended to run the fan backwards when preparing the box?

    -Running the fan backwards is recommended to create a cleaner hole in the thin wood of the box, which helps to avoid wobbling when the fan is spinning.

  • What electrical connections are needed to set up the stir plate according to the transcript?

    -The negative from the power source should go directly to the fan, while the positive from the power source should go to one end of the potentiometer, with the other end of the potentiometer connected to the fan.

  • How can the magnetic attraction on the stir plate be increased to prevent the stir bar from flying off?

    -The magnetic attraction can be increased by adding more button magnets to the edge of the existing magnets, which strengthens the magnetic field and helps to keep the stir bar in place.

Outlines
00:00
🛠️ DIY Stir Plate Project Introduction

This paragraph introduces a DIY project to create a stir plate, an alternative to purchasing one online for £70-80. The presenter outlines the necessary materials, including a fan, rare-earth magnets, a stir bar, wire, a 12-volt wall wart, and a speed controller. The purpose of each component is explained, and the importance of identifying the north and south poles of the magnets is emphasized. The presenter also demonstrates how the magnets and stir bar will interact within the project.

05:09
🔧 Assembling the Stir Plate and Troubleshooting Tips

The second paragraph details the assembly process of the DIY stir plate. It discusses the importance of flush mounting the components and the electrical connections required, including the use of a potentiometer to control the fan speed. The presenter shares a personal experience with a stir bar that was too large, causing it to jump off during operation, and explains how downsizing to a smaller stir bar resolved the issue. Additional magnets are added to the setup to increase the magnetic field and improve the stir bar's adherence. The effectiveness of these modifications is demonstrated with a test using a one-gallon demijohn.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡DIY project
A DIY (Do It Yourself) project refers to a task or activity that an individual undertakes to create or modify something without the aid of professionals. In the context of the video, the DIY project involves creating a stir plate, which is a piece of laboratory equipment used to agitate liquid cultures. The video's theme revolves around the process of making a stir plate at home, which is a practical and cost-effective alternative to purchasing one.
💡Stir plate
A stir plate is a device used in laboratories to continuously mix liquid cultures by spinning a magnetic stir bar within a container. In the video, the stir plate is the main focus of the DIY project. The script explains how to create one from easily accessible materials, showcasing a practical application of this equipment in a homemade setting.
💡Fan
In the script, a fan is mentioned as a crucial component of the stir plate. It serves as the motor that will drive the spinning of the stir bar. The fan is an essential element in the construction of the DIY stir plate, as it provides the necessary motion for mixing the culture.
💡Magnet
Magnet refers to the small, powerful neodymium magnets used in the DIY stir plate to interact with the stir bar. These magnets are vital for the functioning of the stir plate, as they create the magnetic field that causes the stir bar to spin. The script specifies the importance of knowing the north and south poles of the magnets and correctly positioning them for optimal performance.
💡Stir bar
A stir bar is a small, usually cylindrical or bar-shaped, piece of metal that is placed in a liquid to be stirred by a magnetic field. In the video, the stir bar is the component that will be spun by the magnets to agitate the liquid culture. The script provides insights into choosing the right size of the stir bar to prevent it from flying off due to excessive inertia.
💡12-volt wall wart
A 12-volt wall wart is a type of power adapter that converts AC power to DC power. In the context of the video, it is used to provide the necessary 12 volts at 1 amp to power the fan that drives the stir plate. The script mentions it as a component that should be easily obtainable and sufficient for the project.
💡Pentameter
A pentameter, in the context of this video, refers to a variable resistor or potentiometer used to control the speed of the fan, and by extension, the speed of the stir bar's spinning. The script explains how to wire the pentameter to adjust the current and, consequently, the stirring speed of the homemade stir plate.
💡Gorilla glue
Gorilla glue, or super glue, is a type of adhesive mentioned in the script for securing the magnets to the box of the stir plate. It is known for its strong bonding capabilities, which are essential for ensuring that the magnets stay in place during the operation of the stir plate.
💡Inertia
Inertia is a property of matter that quantifies the resistance of an object to a change in its state of motion. In the video, the concept of inertia is discussed in relation to the stir bar's size and its tendency to fly off when the fan spins too fast. The script suggests using a smaller stir bar to reduce inertia and prevent it from spinning off.
💡Demijohn
A demijohn is a large, narrow-necked bottle used for storing liquids, often in the context of fermentation or aging processes. In the script, the demijohn is mentioned as a container that the homemade stir plate was tested with, indicating its suitability for use with the DIY equipment in a one-gallon size.
Highlights

Introduction to a DIY project for creating a stir plate.

Comparison of buying a stir plate online for £70-80 versus making it yourself.

List of materials required for the DIY stir plate.

Use of a simple box from Amazon for the project.

Inclusion of a fan and the importance of having one.

Use of rare-earth magnets for the stir plate's functionality.

Mention of stir bars available online at a low cost.

Explanation of the wiring process for the stir plate.

Description of a 12-volt wall wart for power supply.

Introduction of a variable speed controller for the fan.

Demonstration of how the stir bar and magnets interact within the setup.

Importance of identifying the north and south poles of the magnets.

Gluing magnets onto the stir plate with gorilla glue or super glue.

Preparation of the box for the stir plate and ensuring even spacing.

Tip on using sandpaper to smooth out edges of thin wood.

Detailing the electrical connections for the stir plate.

Testing the stir plate setup before final assembly.

Problem of the stir bar jumping off and the solution.

Demonstration of the stir bar's performance with different sizes.

Enhancing the stir plate's magnetism with additional button magnets.

Final testing of the DIY stir plate with a one-gallon demijohn.

Transcripts

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DIY ProjectStir PlateHome BrewingMagnet UseFan ControlMagnetic StirringDIY TipsCost SavingBrewing EquipmentMagnetization