[Help] Construction of a Ferris Wheel

[Priss]

I know nothing about engineering and electronics. So this is where I need help.

I'm constructing a ferris wheel, it's only one side and it's made mostly of plywood, because it's light, and easy to design stuff with.

How does one go about creating a device with variable speeds so the wheel could actually move? I thought of deconstructing a fan, but those speeds are too fast.

Also, how can I work lights into it? Maybe with some kind of flickering pattern?

If anyone has any idea, it's be awesome if you could help me out. Oh, the Ferris wheel is meaning to be about 8 feet high, if that matters.


Thanks to anyone who knows anything,
Priss

 

[Karot]

Some Christmas tree lights have certian flashing patterings, so you can just stick them in and hide the wiring.

WTF why do you want to build one anyway

www.google.com might help

 

[flowersofnight]

How does one go about creating a device with variable speeds so the wheel could actually move? I thought of deconstructing a fan, but those speeds are too fast.

Wild guess: try rounding up some sort of DC motor, and then create a voltage divider with a potentiometer as one of the resistors to get a variable voltage output, and use that to power the motor.

I have no idea if that will work for you, but you can probably round up the parts for a few bucks at Radio Shack so it might be worth a try.

 

[Priss]

Thanks flowers, i'm gonna head down to the Radioshack to see what I can get going. I'll ask the guys there if they know anything about anything.

If it works, awesome, if it doesn't then... It doesn't hurt to try, eh?

Thanks alot, though.
Priss