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Don't throw away that toothbrush!

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  • #1

    Don't throw away that toothbrush!

    Well, that's a heck of a statement! I was fulfilling my husband chore of taking out the garbage, when the bag started 'buzzing'. Like the proverbial 10 year old that I still consider myself, curiosity got the better part of me. What was buzzing in the trash bag?

    My wife tossed out her old battery powered toothbrush. Ever the frugal scrounge, I picked it out of the bag and still buzzing brought it back in, and down to the shop. Here is what was causing all the ruckus.



    And a little closer inspection found this, and a couple of plastic tabs holding the motor.



    After bending those tabs in, a light tap on the table top, and out popped a nice little can motor.



    Unsoldering two tabs and the plastic "motor mount" slipped right off.



    I haven't found the electrical specs on the motor yet, and I'll run a load test etc. when I get a chance. Googling the GEE GSF138DM number found that some slot car guys swear by these little motors. With a 9V battery it rips, and seems to have nice torque.

    The dimensions on the body are a tad over 15mm on the narrow and a tad over 20mm on the widest part. The shaft is 2.00mm X 6.00 mm long. Overall length is just under 43mm. I'll have to check out the Max RPM on it, but for a $5.00 toothbrush, it looks like a keeper.

    Jim

    Download Attachment: IMG_1275S.jpg
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    Take the red pill
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  • #2
    Jim,

    I've done the same. The brush uses two 1.5volt batteries, so at least 3Volts. I think they may top out at 5 volts. Probably could run at 5 Volts tops. I think at 9 volts you may be pushing the life of the motor. YMMV!

    Bernd
    New York, Vermont & Northern Rwy. - Route of the Black Diamonds

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    • #3
      I just put 9 Volts to it, and stalled the motor....a whopping 3 Amps. I could not stop it by hand. Not a great DCC candidate for shoehorning it into that prize brass locomotive, but cheap power for some applications.

      Jim
      Take the red pill

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      • #4
        I'm glad to be among pickers! :up:

        Philip
        Philip

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        • #5
          Good source for a good motor IMO!


          Louis L&R Western Railroad
          Pacific Northwest Logging in the East Coast

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          • #6
            I use non-powered toothbrushes to clean files, scrub paint off things etc. I have 2 or 3 at each workbench...
            James

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            • #7
              quote:

              Originally posted by BurleyJim

              I just put 9 Volts to it, and stalled the motor....a whopping 3 Amps.

              Jim

              Probably has large diameter wire and few windings. That would cause a high amperage draw like that. That motor would be great for plain DC power.

              Bernd
              New York, Vermont & Northern Rwy. - Route of the Black Diamonds

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              • #8
                That looks like a good save, Jim.
                Bruce

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                • #9
                  Cool!

                  I like the dollar store powered toothbrushes for cleaning resin castings. But I never thought about tearing one apart. (I threw out a rechargeable like the one you have here a couple years ago, now I'm sorry!)

                  dave
                  Modeling 1890s (because the voices in my head told me to)

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                  • #10
                    I thought you were going to turn it into a paint mixer.
                    Frank

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                    • #11
                      If nothing else, you could make a scale bird feeder, put a squirrel on the edge, and have it spinning in a model back yard

                      I saved the motor of my side mirror when I had some repair work done once. Haven't used it yet.
                      Tony Burgess

                      Exploring the unknown requires tolerating uncertainty.~ Brian Greene

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                      • #12
                        Definitely a paint mixer'..That's a great idea Frank'..


                        Ted

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                        • #13
                          quote:

                          Originally posted by jbvb

                          I use non-powered toothbrushes to clean files, scrub paint off things etc. I have 2 or 3 at each workbench...

                          They don't work in those classic brass locos either. :erm:

                          Jim
                          Take the red pill

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                          • #14


                            Those are high RPM motors that run on 1.5-3 volts are unsuitable for remotoring models. They may work well in slot cars Similar motors sell for $1-1.50 each on Ebay or can sometimes be found at electronics stores such as Jameco Electronics.

                            Dennyid="size4">

                            Janitor in Training

                            CW Loco and Car Rebuild Shops

                            WEB site: http://www.cwrailman.com/

                            Facebook: CWRailman

                            id="Comic Sans MS">                             id="size3">
                            Denny

                            Janitor in Training

                            CW Loco and Car Rebuild Shops

                            WEB site: http://www.cwrailman.com/

                            Facebook: CWRailman

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                            • #15
                              Hah! And here I thought you were going to show us how you made a mini power sander!! Also, if that motor draws 3 AMPS, how long did the battery last?

                              Peter

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