I have a motor from a strimmer that I am trying to slow down. Will a simple potentiometer do the trick or do I need something a little more sophisticated or complicated?! Not sure what the rpm is, I litterally took it out of a wrecked strimmer and I want to use it for something quite slow.

Any help really appreciated!!
Thanks!

 

motor from a strimmer

Electric grass trimmer?

Ken

 

If it operates on 120 V AC or DC [ has brushes ], try operating on 12 V DC. More information will probably bring more answers.

 

You would be better off to use V-belts and pulleys or a transmission to reduce the speed.

If you try to use PWM or reduce the voltage to run it slowly, you will lose a great deal of the motor's torque.

 

Yes it is an electric grass strimmer.
It runs on 240V. The problem is I dont have a lot of space to put in pulleys etc, as it all has to fit in under a bench.
It doesn't have to have much force when it is slowed down, just enough to turn a small load of about 5-10 lbs.

I have though about PWM, but can't seem to find a kit in Ireland that I can get quickly.

 

Then you need to find another motor that is better suited for your task.

String trimmers don't have much torque to begin with, even when running full speed.

A gear-reduction transmission or V-belt arrangement would multiply the available torque while reducing the speed. However, simply using PWM or current limiting would reduce the amount of torque available to practically nothing; you'd be lucky if it had enough torque to turn over an egg.

 

Thanks! I'll have a look around

 

A simple thyristor based 'drill speed controller' would be perfect for the job.

These are not much different to a light dimmer, but allow a good speed range whilst retaining the motor torque.

Examples:
http://www.quasarelectronics.com/kit-files/smart-kit/1074.pdf
http://www.southgatearc.org/techtips/drillspeed.htm

They are quite minimal circuits, but as they work on mains you must be extremely careful with contruction and insulation.

Unless you have experience building electronics it's probably easier and safer to buy a ready built unit on ebay etc - eg.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/POWER-CONTROL...ial_Automation_Control_ET?hash=item2eac3351fa

 

Thanks Robert, that looks great!!

 

Here is a modification I made to a cheap Chinese-made string trimmer, running on 240 VAC. After smoking a number of snubbers, I changed to an ST Micro "snubberless" triac. Not noted on the schematic is that the Diac breaks down at 32 volts. The Triac has about 8 square cm of aluminum heatsinking inside the handle of the trimmer.

You will probably have to trim the resistor values to meet your trimmer and specific needs.

i am very happy with this design, becuase on all but the highest speed, the plastic "string" seems to last forever.

Schematic:
http://yfrog.com/4patrimj


Photograph:
http://yfrog.com/5matrimj (Note the red buttons which are the switches).

 

Here is a modification I made to a cheap ...

Dick,
Somehow your links didn't come through. Trying a different tactic...

Schematic:

Photograph:

Seems that you were trying to post the page link as an image, not the images themselves. Not sure that I got them all.