Let the games begin!

Chesterspal · 03-17-2022, 10:04 AM

So, I received my $15 digital counter from Amazon today.

Mounted the magnet to the back of the wheel with double sided tape and the magnetic sensor to the bearing support, also with DS tape.

The counter runs off a single AAA cell and that's now stuck to the front of the enclosure with Velcro.

Each revolution of the wheel will produce one count. Since the internal diameter of the wheel is 12 inches that means the internal circumference is 37.6991 inches or just over 3 feet.

There is 5280 feet in a mile... so if he runs around the wheel 1,760 times he will have run well over one mile.

Will be interesting to see what happens. I'll report back with the results and will give you just the count so you can convert to meters, if you wish.

Ria P · 03-17-2022, 10:27 AM

Looking forward to the results.

Off topic but meant to ask. Does your hamster have a whimzee dog chew?

Axeriax · 03-17-2022, 10:42 AM

Oooh this is so cool! Looking forward to the results

Chesterspal · 03-18-2022, 06:59 AM

He was up from 9pm until 6pm. Some nine hours. Here is the result of his efforts.

That works out to 9.66 miles.

Better than one mile per hour

cloudy · 03-18-2022, 07:02 AM

Wow! This is amazing. It shows how important a good wheel is for hamsters.

Chesterspal · 03-18-2022, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloudy

It shows how important a good wheel is for hamsters.

That's an interesting comment and something I did not think much about, but you're correct.

I had to spend a great deal of time and money to make my $40US 12" Kaytee wheel into something my hamster can now use with ease.

Wonder how the average store-bought wheel stacks up to mine and whether a poor design (cheap bearings, a wobbly stand, improper internal shape) can lead to frustration (read increased stress) and even prolonged boredom?

A great wheel perhaps can make all the difference in their life more so than a giant enclosure and colorful toys.

Ria P · 03-18-2022, 07:24 AM

Very impressive!

Books say that hamsters run up to 5 miles in a night but he's almost doubled that.

Just as well he has a redesigned, industrial style wheel.

cloudy · 03-18-2022, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesterspal

That's an interesting comment and something I did not think much about, but you're correct.

I had to spend a great deal of time and money to make my $40US 12" Kaytee wheel into something my hamster can now use with ease.

Wonder how the average store-bought wheel stacks up to mine and whether a poor design (cheap bearings, a wobbly stand, improper internal shape) can lead to frustration (read increased stress) and even prolonged boredom?

A great wheel perhaps can make all the difference in their life more so than a giant enclosure and colorful toys.

It would be a great experiment to try this with a range of wheels.

Ria P · 03-18-2022, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesterspal

That's an interesting comment and something I did not think much about, but you're correct.

I had to spend a great deal of time and money to make my $40US 12" Kaytee wheel into something my hamster can now use with ease.

Wonder how the average store-bought wheel stacks up to mine and whether a poor design (cheap bearings, a wobbly stand, improper internal shape) can lead to frustration (read increased stress) and even prolonged boredom?

A great wheel perhaps can make all the difference in their life more so than a big enclosure and fancy toys.

I reckon that a decent wheel is a hamster's most prized possession. My rescue hamsters confirm that because most lived in a cage without a wheel or one the size of an ornament.
Some camp in their wheels the first couple of days, others get up and first thing they check is that their wheel is still there. Some make a nest next to their wheel and currently my foster Robo is running on his wheel. It's 14.30 here but i took his wheel out for a quick wipe over and now he has to make sure to give it his scent again.

Your hamster's wheel is built to last.

cloudy · 03-18-2022, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria P

I reckon that a decent wheel is a hamster's most prized possession. My rescue hamsters confirm that because most lived in a cage without a wheel or one the size of an ornament.
Some camp in their wheels the first couple of days, others get up and first thing they check is that their wheel is still there. Some make a nest next to their wheel and currently my foster Robo is running on his wheel. It's 14.30 here but i took his wheel out for a quick wipe over and now he has to make sure to give it his scent again.

Your hamster's wheel is built to last.

That is so touching how they check their wheels are still there because they are not used to having one. I love how your robo is getting rid of your scent. It reminds me of my bunny. He would clean himself if I touched him despite him wanting to be petted.