DIYbanter - View Single Post - Does someone know , for sure, if a rheostat can be applied to a small'12 vdc' Motor ?

Jon Danniken[_2_]

wrote:
All the packages ive looked at in the store mention 115 v. , but
none mention 12 vdc. Please advise. Thanks.

What kind of rheostat? What kind of motor?

A rheostat, of the type used in an old sewing machine pedal, will only
properly control the speed of a universal (series-parallel wound) motor (AKA
AC/DC motor) or a straight DC motor (the kind with brushes).

Beyond that, you need to select a rheostat with current capacity greater
than that of your motor, and ideally, several times larger (a slower running
motor will consume more current than a motor running at full speed).

Jon