DIY Helmholtz Coil Snow Globe
Helmholtz coils are a common tool for testing with magnetic fields due to their capability to generate an even magnetic field. Comprised of two rings of the same size, wrapped with the same amount of magnetic wire around each, and placed the radius width of the rings apart, Helmholtz coils generate an even sphere of magnetic field between the two coils when the coils are driven with a constant current source. This project attempts to make that magnetic field “visible" by placing a mini set of Helmholtz coils in a snow globe with ferrite shavings.
Supplemental Content:
CAD Files
- https://cad.onshape.com/documents/c1cdfa4b964cf80153ad6bcb/w/5de2ba908e2c035b8df96870/e/24599d590dabcabb24962a8b?renderMode=0&uiState=6178ba7954c4f72c8230f232
- https://cad.onshape.com/documents/39cb0cf49bf49ef52cdd5d6f/w/e626e02a9c3018e91fc99f13/e/36a5e50dc19c3e3139f97c85?renderMode=0&uiState=6178bab49869c66c93997255
Bill of Materials
| Product Name | Manufacturer | Quantity | Buy KitBuy Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| GKX00006 - Development Kit, Arduino MKR1000 IoT Bundle, Components Kit (EXAMPLE) | ARDUINO | 1 | Buy NowBuy Now |
| ST-PH 2-Pin SMT Right Angle Connector[ID:1769] | Adafruit | 1 | Buy NowBuy Now |
| Short Female Header Kit for ItsyBitsy[ID:4174] | Adafruit | 1 | Buy NowBuy Now |
| Short Feather Male Headers - 12-pin and 16-pin Male Header Set[ID:3002] | Adafruit | 1 | Buy NowBuy Now |
| BZX84C2V4LT1G - Zener Single Diode, 2.4 V, 225 mW, SOT-23, 8 %, 3 Pins, 150 °C | onsemi | 1 | Buy NowBuy Now |
| MMBT3904,215 - Bipolar (BJT) Single Transistor, NPN, 40 V, 200 mA, 250 mW, TO-236AB, Surface Mount | NEXPERIA | 1 | Buy NowBuy Now |
| B530C-13-FB530C-13-F - Schottky Rectifier, 30 V, 5 A, Single, DO-214AB (SMC), 2 Pins, 550 mV | DIODES INC. | 2 | Buy NowBuy Now |
| RQ73C1J137RBTDF - SMD Chip Resistor, 137 ohm, ± 0.1%, 150 mW, 0603 [1608 Metric], Thin Film | HOLSWORTHY - TE CONNECTIVITY | 2 | Buy NowBuy Now |
| DIY Snow Globe Kit (108mm Diameter) [Adafruit ID:3722] | Adafruit | 1 | Buy NowBuy Now |
| Enameled Copper Magnet Wire – 11 meters / 0.1mm diameter[Adafruit ID:3522] | Adafruit | 2 | Buy NowBuy Now |
| Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh [Adafruit ID:1578] | Adafruit | 1 | Buy NowBuy Now |
Additional Parts:
| Product Name |
|---|
| 3D Printed Rings with base |
| Mineral oil |
| Ferrite shavings |
| Current driver circuit PCB |