Playing with: Magnetic Levitation Platform 

Interested in my new garden workshop? Follow the entire build on Julian's Shednanigans: ru-vid.com/show-UCXfDjPehpC7B7lW2JFxeS4w

in europe not everything is plugged into a dollar store "shavers only" adaptor though

The plug is wobbly because your power socket is not recessed, Julian 😑

Julian the noddyness is due to the plug converter. The normal EU sockets hold the plug very well

I have a levitating globe on my bookshelf with the base unit hidden inside a book. It also rotates and everyone notices it and does a double take. It doesn't have the LEDs and can be tricky to get balanced, so I keep it plugged into my computers UPS so I don't have to fight with it every time I have a little power glitch.

Its wobbly because you have the wrong adapter or an old adapter. All our Eu adapters that we brought last year work fine but the older one are wobbler then a polititions promises​.

Only people in the UK are convinced that their behemoth franken-plug is the best there is. Euro plugs are as safe yet much more ergonomic and elegant than your brick.

Comment section: 99% Talking about plugs 1% ect.

Most people don't know how magnets work Julian. About 25 years ago I was working for Patent Attorneys and one of their clients had invented a motor which was claimed to derive its power from permanent magnets. The inventor was having difficulty producing a working prototype because the bugs hadn't been worked out, yet... I may have said something about permanent magnets not working like that, and the client's solicitor (who was present as an investor) said something like "It might. No-one understands magnets anyway..."

LM324, LM358, 4066 - amazing that these 40 year old ICs are still in common use!

The pots are adjusting the stability of the field, you can see it start spinning CW and CCW as you adjust the first one and the second one looks like it's to compensate for oscillation.

I have this too, but i built it from a DIY kit. The 2 pots are for adjusting magnet pull direction, so if you increase one of them one magnet will pull more in one direction. Strange how yours didnt do much though

these are powered by goats, you can hear them when adjusting the position

"Oooh I don't want to whack these unprotected switched on coils." Proceeds to whack them.

it`s a cheap plug the plugs we use in the netherlands are not wobbly have a nice weekend

That first pot definitely was for fine tuning the 'spin'. ie, you can fine tune it so the item does/doesn't spin and by how much.

THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!!! ~ Jean-Luc Picard

The pins in that europlug are only designed for 2.5A. Otherwise it would be a full Schuko, round instead of flat. Schuko's can be used with any Earthing system, since we've got multiple plug/socket types across Europe, which all comes back in the universal Schuko. A europlug takes less space in a powerstrip then a Schuko. The europlug is commonly used around Europe for phone chargers, trimmers, kitchen appliances, etc. And your magnetic levitation device. In my opinion the British plug is just odd. It's quite incapable of being waterproof! A Schuko can be made waterproof (due specially designed plugs/sockets, mostly for garden use), due that the Schuko plug is round, and lays recessed in the socket (compared to a flat surface of the UK). How does that work in the UK? We'd also use CEE plugs (16/32A single phase, blue. 16/32/63A/125A three phase, red) which are at least IP44 and at best IP68. Are those also used in the UK? The wobbliness is your converter! Plug war started! ;-) -------- On topic: Can you power a led from the magnetic fields? To levitate a powered led?

What I would use a gadget like this for would be to create a prop for theater. A rotating, levitating cup for a musical called Matilda in particular. At least this is my first thought on how to do it! LOL

I would like to see you explore the pole patterns on the ring magnet and puck. I predict the ring magnet is either a standard speaker magnet (one pole on each flat side) or one pole on the inner and one on the outer circumference. I suspect the puck is actually a stack of two neodymium magnets, but I don't have a prediction of its pole pattern. It would also be interesting to see what an eddy current filter (say, copper clad board), under the magnet would do to the feedback response.

I just received one of these. I can't get the magnetic disc to balance. It worked randomly a couple of times, now it just throws the magnet off. I can't get it to balance at all. I've tried adjusting the pots with varying degrees of change to the pull strength etc. Any ideas before I toss it in the trash ?

I counted about 42 comments on the plug, the, insignificant and unimportant part of Julian's presentation. He is examining something relatively complex, important and useful to us all. Some may view the unit as a toy but there is much to be learned from this design. For example (1) What is the function of the large ring magnet? (2) Why is the suspended magnet oriented so it is attracted to the ring magnet? (3) When the suspended magnet is in a balanced position, what type of circuit is used to drive the 4 LEDs? (4) For what is the CD4066 analog switch used? (5) Julian did not mention finding 4 hall sensors near the top of the electromagnets, what tells the circuit where the suspended magnet is located? (6) What are the 2 multiturn potentiometers used for? (7) There are 8 transistors, how are they used to drive the coils? (8) What are the 4 little circuit boards in the center of the device used for? (9) What is a 4419 and how is it used? (10) How many turns are there in each electromagnet? (11) How much current is used to drive each one? (12 Why is audio generated when Julian forces the suspended magnet downward toward the coils? (13) How much current is used to lift the incredible weight (for this small circuit) of about 500 grams (USA: 1/2 pound)? Come, let us reason on these questions...........

From memory a CD4066 is either a hex schmitt trigger or yes analog switches as you said

thanks for this great dissectioning video.. finally got a chance to look inside it :-D

"I SEE FOUR LIGHTS!" - Picard

How much power does that thing draw. It would be a cool display case, but if it draws an amp that would be a bit unnecessary. With as much heat as it is putting out, I can't imagine it is a small amount.

I have documentation on reverse engineering this particular board if anyone interested. I didn't see much interest initially so it never went anywhere. Those transistors are 1/2 MOSFETs and 1/2 BJTs forming half bridges. The whole thing is an analog control system anyone can do which I found pretty interesting.

I would put a circle of the foam pad on the bottom of the levitating disc, that way you still have protection while experimenting with the cover off.

8:59 scared the shit outta me

It's using peaces of induction creatively. The disk it came with is probably they key. Not just a magnet but also aluminum for lens law allowing for the feed back info. Through the induction coils. My guess.

I'm fairly certain this works with out the unit being powered on. Did you try that? The reason I say that, is that I've seen a number of videos where people take a ring magnet like the one in the unit and then build a spinning top. The spinning top is loaded with weights until its able to balance like the little floating top you have. They have spun their top probably to help average out any inbalance in the top.

So if it falls from its magnetic field and you aren't around will it get really hot ??? I mean I don't pa ln on leaving it but lets say it happens . Should that be a concern ??

I have problems with mine, sometimes it doesnt work. Could it be calibration?, help me please

The multi turn trim pots might be to adjust the transistor bias currents. Just playing with them might not be the best idea unless you are precisely counting the turns. Use a regular screwdriver so you can see the exact head position as you turn them. I would also use an ammeter to watch the input current. Some basic track tracing might indicate their use.

Fridge magnets won't work, they are made with alternate strips of north/south poles next to each other, put 2 back to back and slide them (thanks to steve mould) is that a hall effect sensor or a temp sensor ?

No wobbles when the plug is in a socket thats designed to use with one, not an adapter that takes usa, japan and indochinamenistan plugs. I had a cellphone charger, wallwart, from a Samsung, w it h that exact plug, it got hit by a foot while plugged in and the case broke, not the pins of the plug. And the case was thick plastic as well..

I bought this exact model from the description link and its not capable of handling half a kilo at all. I barely was able to put 200g on top. Anything more than that is heavier than the magnet + field and the magnet falls on the platform. I am not sure why on the video it shows 500g. Am I doing something wrong? Maybe not enough power supply? Also, leds are not sensitive to the magnet and the opacity does not change. They are just on.

On what Principle it works plz tell me sir...I m doing one of project.which is related to magnetic flux ..

I have an question sicne many many years !!! can you lift up yourself ? what does it happen,if Your plate over the E Magnet lifts up.. but the plate muss be longer to the downide as your mashine is..with an magnet on it ... NOW put an magnet under your mashine And starts your mashine... can it fly ????

Have you seen any videos from Eric Laitwathe? He was a UK prof. of electrical engineering who did a large scale version of this levitating a great sphere, in his 1960s/70s video about electromagnetism.

Hi! What will happen if you turn the platform off the electricity? The magnet will hit nearest magnet on the platform?

The plug wobbles, because you have a bad adapter. In German Sockets it will be held in place by the two edges, which go right into the socket.

It’s is because you don’t have the power plug onthat stile its is safer then most plugs avoid you take shocks if you are a kid and try to plug things to the plug that model protects it

@12:36 There are Hall effect sensor for the 3 axis XYZ. If it works correct then it means you can tilt the device without the lev. magnet geting out off alignement.

We know there are permanent magnets, electromagnets and a feedback loop, but how does it actually work? I would have been nice if you explained that in the video.

I would put a heat sink on those transistors so they last longer. Just a strip of Aluminium with some thermal grease applied in between it. Either spring load it with clips on the edge of the pcb or glue it with superglue/T-8000. I am curious about the schematic also. There is a DIY assemble kit for about $30 on Ebay, I bet that would include the schematic and explain more about the trim pots purpose.

The feedback control loops are high gain and under-damped because you need really fast response

Julian: The diamon-like shaped plastic thing around the two pins will completle insert into our wall outlets.

I bought one of these but it leans too much to one side. Is there a way to calibrate this?

is there any kind of non trivial documentation about technical details of this device?

The inductors would absolutely swamp those hall effects, so I assume those are only read when the coils aren't being powered?

So many unanswered questions for such a neat gadget :( How much current does the platform draw, and how does the power consumption change with the weight of the levitated object? How does the voltage waveform on the LEDs look like? Or on the input plug?

Yes, the small sensor at the top is Hall Effect. It's using a closed loop system to 'correct' the voltage passing through the electro magnets. Edit: The screws should be the adjustment for the hall effect sensor

Julian, thanks for examining a very interesting device. The D882 is a 3 amp NPN and the B772 is the PNP complement.I plan to use complementary mosfets in a levitator design.

hey.do u can help me?i want buy st100 soldering.i want mobilphone services .what u think i can with st100 services with phone?

The trouble with this is that if you allow the floating magnet to sit on the base off center, it permanently partially demagnetizes the ferrite magnet in the base, ruining the device.

Had one of these bought as a present. Worked at first but after turning off, I could not obtain levitation again on restarting, despite a long time trying. I obtained a replacement and exactly the same thing happened. I took it apart and two of the four coils were loose. I tightened them up but it made no difference. Mine does not have the LEDs that help with centering. Don't know what else to try and it could be heading for the bin!

The pots seem to control the strength of two toroidial fields. One clockwise, the other anti/counter clockwise ! Slick little gadget !! So, what field/effect happens from the bottom ?

Hi, i just got mine today, from eBay. You know that white part at the end of the red and black wires that connect into the module? That white part is just barely too big for the slot, and the parts design doesn't match up with the receiver parts design. What can i do to fix this? I thank you in advance for any help.

hm... If you were to make a small platform and use a magnet could you make a pull something like: platform-> _---- +

It won't spin on itself ?!? Maybe use a fan then right ?

Hi friend ... would you be kind enough to give me some information? Is the top disc a magnet or a simple metal? They only gave me the base: do you know where I can only buy the disc? Thank you very much in advance!

Could it be adapted to function as a seismometer? The reaction shown by the LEDs suggest it might.

could you levitate a smaller magnet? (i.e 3mm/25mm)

I would install it under the table and put small flickering led light on it that look like candle. That would look cool at night

Hey Julian, I’m wondering what will happen if you put the floating magnet in the centre before turning it on and then turn the unit on, cheers

So if i use a neodymium magnet instead of the supplied levitating one it wont levitate? Maybe the bigger metal acts as a balancer

The EU Plug is so wobbly because you do not have the propper socket for it. Usually the plug sits very strong in its place.

Hi! So i bought one module similar to the one in the video, except its for levitating 2kg and i think the control part it´s broken, i can´t achieve a stable levitation. Does anyone know how to repair or where to find some theory to understand the control modules and fixing it? Since i bought it from alibaba, i can`t send it back or wait for the seller to solve this

U just gave me an idea to make a UFO... If I tell u my theory.. Ur mind will explode in joy and excitement.

0:08 every single thing I order summed up in one video. Thanks

UK plug is large and clunky also due to it holding the fuse in it, rest of EU has very good grid system, way better then the one in US... Also the plug wobles as its inserted into cheap multi plug adapter..

I see that you've played Snarky Pluggey, before :)

What happens if you stick a small magnet to the end of a screwdriver and wave it around under the spinner?

I enjoyed watching your video julian thanks for sharing the experiment

is it possible to get electric energy back from the magnetic field ? My idea is to power LED inside a 3D printed model using induction.

Plug is fine, the adapter is not to the standard. Proper sockets hold pretty well and are not the size of a SMART car like the british ones.

Julian, why don't you measure current drawn when the magnet is not suspended, when it is and when there's a heavy load placed on top of it?

The plugs are not wobbly in our sockets, only wobbly in those converters you use.

Can you do this with a flying car? Have the bottom as the flying device and the pod that levitates to be the personnel carrier?

It looks very similar in operation to those table top devices that come with a floating globe of the Earth

how many watts it pulls with/out magnet and how hot can it get(with/out load)?

Hi. Unfortunately the “this is a plug” plug you showed at 1:26 is not a plug that should be used either. If you look at the three pins you’ll notice that the L and N pins are half insulated (in line with IEE regs and CE etc). The problem is that the Ground or Earth pin is also half insulated. In a UK socket the Earth pin is used to move the gates on the L and N slots. The connection from the Earth pin to the socket is very close to the front of the socket hole, whereas the L and N connections are further back behind the screens. When you plug in he type of plug you showed, initially the Earth pin makes contact with the socket but as you push it further in the insulated part of the Earth pin comes into contact with the socket and the uninsulated tip of the Earth pin breaks contact. Please check this for yourself. Just measure between the Earth pin and the socket Earth connection. You’ll find continuity at first but as the plug is pushed fully home the Earth pin becomes disconnected. I just throw those power leads away. You think you’re grounded but you’re not. Too dangerous for my liking. Cheers NOSS

Can you put a receiver coil on the hovering magnet to power an LED?

At 15:04 you can see a red light on the bottom of the PCB. Does ist have to do with setup or maybe the pots?

I have a question when you buy it from china is it ekspensive if they find it in the border from eu

That LCD distortion describes the pulsating lights of ufo’s we usually see

PC Cooler ventilator 4pin chip (i think two(or maybe four)pcs.) can be enough to construct such levitator

What’s the input voltage and amp draw? There’s no info on Banggood.

Water on top of a unstable electronic device ?

It is not odd. If you put tree magnets beside eachother the gaps inbetween will be the opposit

I suspect that this is the basis of a rather expensive turntable with a gravity deifying turntable.

What dose the magnetic field look like?

You did not show what would happen if you remove the power

Now i know why ufo's have blinking lights

Looks like some jail house knowledge while writing everything on a white wall lol

What is the maximum load of the magnet?

Just read all the comments and, unless I missed it, nobody asked how long the darn thing will spin with such low friction!?!

I couldn't resist, I had to order one.

What a great spliff toy!