Motor Speed Controller Voltage Regulator Dimmer

[Michael Paley]

[DIYSwede]

Thanks for sharing!
Do you power this from a 16 amp outlet?
Then you might profit by using at least AWG 16 wiring, an output fuse/ GFI and perhaps some vents in the box?

2 cents
Johan

[Altair]

Thanks Michael Paley! We've added your Power Tool Speed Controller to our Electrical category,
as well as to your builder page: Michael Paley's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Power Tool Speed Controller by Michael Paley

tags: controller

[Slim-123]

Хорошее приобретение Майкл. Я тоже приобрёл такой регулятор. Но у меня есть один совет. При использовании регулятора более двух киловатт он сильно нагревается и ему нужно охлаждение. По этому сделай короб более доступный для охлаждения..

[pfredX1]

heh I should post my phase fired AC circuits. I actually make the electronics for these things. They're simple devices. The only trick is using the right AT leg on the triac for the input current. I think it has something do to with the topography of the device? All I really know is backwards they don't work. Alternating current has more polarity than most realize it does. More than I gave it credit for before messing with it. Autotransformers don't work hooked up backwards either. That's where I first discovered the phenomena for myself. Live and neutral are different beasts. But here's a schematic for the simplest dimmer http://i.imgur.com/GE3ZXqP.png and you tie the neutrals and run the live through the circuit. Here's what that looks like physically https://i.imgur.com/M7WENhG.jpg Not much to it.

[jackalope33b]

thanks for the video. I’m definitely going to build one!

[fmerenda]

There's so crazy, i just made this exact same thing with the same piece last night! No joke. It's so handy, this is like the 4th one I've made because everyone that sees it wants one!

[Chadboye]

What's the difference between this and the router speed control you can get at harbor freight or many other places? Is this one better for the tools or is it basically the same thing?

[pfredX1]

What's the difference between this and the router speed control you can get at harbor freight or many other places? Is this one better for the tools or is it basically the same thing?

I never looked inside the Harbor Freight speed controller. So I can't say for sure what's inside it. I would not say mine is any better for the tool. It may be more rugged than what you can buy commercially. I haven't looked in the HF speed controller but I've looked in others. The part that does the work in all of them (the TRIAC) tends to be marginal. Now maybe HF put a really good part in theirs? But if they did they'd be the first. Which is why I just made one. Because everything I have seen has all been junk. But semiconductor technology has come a ways. The decent TRIAC I did use did not cost me much to buy. Like 25 cents. You'd think the manufacturer would splurge if the part was that critical. So far I haven't seen it myself.

[desbromilow]

I use those modules, with a 30A full wave bridge rectifier, to make up speed controllers for 180VDC treadmill motors. They work well, and I have yet to see a need to add any smoothing capacitors on the output, but it is still an option.