I have a motor that rotates 5 times per minute. I'm using it to lower a small object using a pulley. At the motor's current speed, that object gets lowered approximately 1.3 inches per minute. Is it possible for me to control the motor's speed so that it takes twelve hours to lower that object about three feet? Do motors that slow exist?
Sure, such motors are geared to output a specific shaft speed when powered with a specific constant voltage, change the gear ratio will change the output shaft speed. Now if you want to be able to change the speed of the internal motor then that depends on the type of motor. Dc motors can generally be varied using PWM control. AC motors are much more difficult and expensive to vary their speed.
Lefty
By shaft speed, do you mean the speed at which the little shaft sticking out of the motor rotates?
What is the gear ratio?
This is a DC motor, I'm pretty sure. How would I go about changing the speed? Also, if this is relevant, I plan on getting or making an H-bridge, because I need this motor to be bi-directional.
ahhreeyell:
By shaft speed, do you mean the speed at which the little shaft sticking out of the motor rotates?Yes, the internal motor rotor is turning much faster, but after gear ratio the output shaft turns at some fixed fraction of the motor speed.
What is the gear ratio?
Many such geared motors don't list the gear ratio used, just the output shaft speed. The datasheet for the motor may give more in the way of such information and specifications.
This is a DC motor, I'm pretty sure. How would I go about changing the speed? Also, if this is relevant, I plan on getting or making an H-bridge, because I need this motor to be bi-directional.
Well that is what a H-drive will allow you to do, bi-direction and variable PWM speed controlled by an arduino board. Just be sure the H-drive is rated for the motor's voltage and maximum current draw.