http://f3wm.free.fr/sciences/jefimenko.html
The Dirod #8 is a perfect generator for driving electrostatic motors. You will soon find that it takes lots of work to make the motors run, as your arm gets tired turning the Dirod to make the electricity that runs the motor. After reading about motors in Moore's book, and searching the web for "electrostatic motors", I decided to build Jean-Louis Naudin's "PFT Motor mk2", which he describes at:
http://jnaudin.free.fr/html/pftm2.htm
PFT stands for "Poynting Flow Thruster", which is Naudin's hypothesis about how the motor works.
Click on image for larger view.
One stator is connected to one of the Dirod collectors, the other stator to the other collector. I originally used test leads to make the connections. I have now switched to using lengths of chain to make the connection, as they seem to carry more voltage to the motor. The brass chain I use is made with 1/2 inch long welded links which are very smooth and should minimize coronal discharge losses. Once, when I was running a motor in the dark, I noticed a few sparks between some of the links of one chain. They were no longer present after I cleaned the chain, indicating that the electrical connection between the links is good.
The Naudin motor rotates well, and will self-start. I have measured rotation rates of the order of 500 rpm, using a digital tachometer. My thoughts about why this motor runs are discussed on the "Interpretations" page.