Aka the Bodger’s mechanical speed controller
I have been pondering awhile making a Mechanical Speed Controller to drive brushless motors. I have mentioned it in the Brushless Basics thread and even gathered the parts together for the prototype.
During a sleepless night I was able to sort out the wiring in my head and have now got that sorted and even badly sketched. Unfortunately the physical layout is easy to build but hard to draw well, so it will probably be built before it is well presented to you all as a drawing or circuit.
I have said a design has been sorted, but this is the Mark 1 of what may be a developing family because initially it will use microswitches to produce the rotating pulses. The Mk 1 also only produces the rotating pulses in one electrical direction – so half the motor power has been left in the battery!
I aim to lay out here not only the construction, but also the thinking and limitations of the idea so that we can get your (constructive) views and serious improvements.
Whats it for?
Its NOT to power Stavros’ vast speedboats. It may point to Dodgy Geezer’s economy Keelbilt power train. It may not ever reach the water in this form.
It IS:
to help understanding of Brushlesses, their needs and feeding habits
To promote discussion and improvement
To possibly develop through two-directional pulses, reed relay switching (no-contact), hall-effect switching to an electronically pulsed version and after that who knows?
The design
Three pairs of microswitches (cheap or free)
Microswitches fixed side by side in pairs and screwed to the face of a disc – with 120 degrees between pairs
Hang it – sketch follows
andrew
usual request - your feedbaCK welcome; I'm happy to explore tangents, improvements and fascinating dead-ends