Speed Control for Low & High Voltage DC Motors

[Freenerd]

Is there simple dc circuit that can be used to control the speed of DC motors (12v up to 180v)? Is it possible to use a single 555 circuit for an entire of range of motor/voltage options?

Thanks in advance!
Freenerd

 

[dknguyen]

If you just only need to spin in one direction, then yes.

**broken link removed**

Just use a MOSFET capable of withstanding 180V (remember, all things being equal, a higher voltage MOSFET is less efficient than a lower voltage MOSFET so when driving a 12V motor, the 180V MOSFET will be much less efficient than a 12V transistor would be. It will heat up more and thus not be able to handle as much current as the 12V transistor.)

Do not forget a fast diode (difficult to do for 180V) in anti-parallel to the motor, otherwise the inductive spike generated from cutting current to the motor will burn out the MOSFET. It is not shown in the diagram.