I have been given a 90VDC 1/4 HP motor. I would like to use it to run some machines which are variable speed (Drill Press, Jig Saw, small lathe). However I have two problems. First I don't have a DC power supply that will provide that much voltage, and two I don't have a controller or a controller design that will work with that level of DC voltage.
So my question to everyone is, should I even attempt to solve this problem or buy a commercial DC motor controller. The later will work, but is a little pricey and I learn nothing.
Thanks in advance.
The hard part here is finding an ESC that is capable of handling 90V. The highest that are easy to find are about 48V. These generally plug into a power supply for the voltage/electron flow and an Arduino for sending a signal for what speed to turn - pretty simple to set up. The other consideration is the current that your motor will pull. If it pulls 30A when your ESC is rated for 15, you may (read "WILL") have a fire. Given the difficulty in finding the parts and for safety's sake, I would just buy a commercial one.
I have read several forum threads on running 90V motors, and that seems to be the consensus. I can buy a cheapo for about $30, so for just experimenting that may be the way I'll go just to see how well this motor will perform.
One last question to everyone, can I test this motor with a 24V power supply? I just want to see if it will run before I invest a lot of time in it.
I haven't tried using lower-than-spec voltages on anything less than the 5V DC motors included in Arduino kits, but in theory (as much as I understand it), yes. It should just turn more slowly. You may want a second answer before actually trying this though.
Using 24V on a 90V motor will get you about 7% of the power. I don't think it has any chance of harming the motor.
There are much better /efficient ways to get speed control than using whopping great dc motor.
Junk it while you are in front. (economically)
bluejets:
There are much better /efficient ways to get speed control than using whopping great dc motor.Junk it while you are in front. (economically)
Speed control is an objective, but not the prime objective. I am more interested in learning how to control large DC motors. I know that there are other ways like stepped pulleys, VFD on 3 phase etc. Large DC motors, and I don't think a 90V dc motor is all that huge, give a more precise control of the speed which can be important in drilling or turning metals like steel and iron.
These are treadmill motors. Pick one of the free treadmills and get the motor and the controls from them.
Paul
Paul_KD7HB:
These are treadmill motors. Pick one of the free treadmills and get the motor and the controls from them.Paul
Good idea, thanks.
Sounds like a money pit.
Probably a treadmill mofor.
Very simple drivers are available.
I used one for my lathe for years
dave-in-nj:
Probably a treadmill mofor.
Very simple drivers are available.
I used one for my lathe for years
That's pretty much what I have been looking for. This one might be from a treadmill, I don't know.
Long skinny motor shaft has threads on last inch?
Thrift stores
Junk yards
Town dump
Should find them in the spring.
Thrift stores don't like them to much.
Ok,
I will keep an eye out. The one I have has a shaft of about 3/4 of an inch and no threads. It is only a 2.6 AMP motor.
ov10fac:
Ok,
I will keep an eye out. The one I have has a shaft of about 3/4 of an inch and no threads. It is only a 2.6 AMP motor.
Is it Japanese? Parts of Japan use 90 VAC at 50 Hz, as I recall.
Paul
I don't know. I'll check later today to see. I have pretty much decided that at this time a commercial motor controller is a better way to go. Maybe I can find one that I can control with Arduino.