I have a project that requires a decent powered motor. There are two potential class of motors that I have found:
The brushed DC 24V 500W motor common for e-bikes.
The brushed DC 180V 500W common for treadmills.
In either case, I'm at a complete loss as to power such motors. A PSU that can output 20 plus amps at 24V costs a great deal more than the actual motor. Also, to output 180V, well even the transformer that would take the 240VAC to approximately 120VAC and rectified to 180VDC appears to cost more than the motor...
Am I missing something here? How exactly is the power sourced for such motors other than a rather expensive PSU?
Obviously e-bikes are normally power by battery, where it is easier to have low voltage/high current.
Treadmills obviously normally mains powered. I would guess these are typically controlled by an inverter drive, which take input mains and convert to 3 phase voltage at whatever motor voltage is required.
DC motors with higher power is typically made for higher voltage like the 180 V or more. Then the mains is rectified directly, and some chopper or thyristors controls the power to the motor. In this way you do not have to convert the voltage twice. But in this way you will get added safety issues, because the motor windings and chopper work on mains potentials.
Servo motors for industrial sewing machines work in a similar way, and they may fulfill your need. The cost for such a drive is about $100.
Yes. How do You intend to control the motor? On/Off or speed control?
Note the parameter "Stall current" for DC motors. It's usually 5 - 10 times the running current.
