12V Speed Controller Dimmer

This handy circuit can be used as a speed controller for a 12V motor rated up to 5A (continuous) or as a dimmer for a 12V halogen or standard incandescent lamp rated up to 50W. It varies the power to the load (motor or lamp) using pulse width modulation (PWM) at a pulse frequency of around 220Hz.  SILICON CHIP has produced a number of DC speed controllers over the years, the most recent being our high-power 24V 40A design featured in the March & April 2008 issues. Another very popular design is our 12V/24V 20A design featured in the June 1997 issue and we have also featured a number of reversible 12V designs.

 

Project Image :

 12V Speed Controller/Dimmer Project Image

For many applications though, most of these designs are over-kill and a much simpler circuit will suffice. Which is why we are presenting this basic design which uses a 7555 timer IC, a Mosfet and not much else. Being a simple design, it does not monitor motor back-EMF to provide improved speed regulation and nor does it have any fancy overload protection apart from a fuse. However, it is a very efficient circuit and the kit cost is quite low.

Parts layout:

Connection diagram:

There are many applications for this circuit which will all be based on 12V motors, fans or lamps. You can use it in cars, boats, and recreational vehicles, in model boats and model railways and so on. Want to control a 12V fan in a car, caravan or computer? This circuit will do it for you. The circuit uses a 7555 timer (IC1) to generate variable width pulses at about 210Hz. This drives Mosfet Q3 (via transistors Q1 & Q2) to control the speed of a motor or to dim an incandescent lamp.

Circuit diagram :

12V Speed Controller/Dimmer Circuit Diagram

While the circuit can dim 12V halogen lamps, we should point out that dimming halogen lamps is very wasteful. In situations where you need dimmable 12V lamps, you will be much better off substituting 12V LED lamps which are now readily available in standard bayonet, miniature Edison screw (MES) and MR16 halogen bases. Not only are these LED replacement lamps much more efficient than halogen lamps, they do not get anywhere near as hot and will also last a great deal longer.

Source : Streampowers

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Signal Conditioning Circuit for KMI 15 x Rotation Speed Sensor

This is a design circuit for modulated current that is provided by the integrated rotational speed sensor KMI 15/x. This current signal must be converted to ground referenced voltage signal, matching the logic levels of the processing unit for digital signal processing. This signal conditioning can be done by using this circuit. This circuit is consists of protective elements to suppress line conducted interference and low pass filter in front of the comparator input. This is the figure of the circuit;

This circuit uses first-order RC low pass filter as signal filter. This circuit is made of C4 and R3 with cut off frequency of 10 kHz. This cut off frequency is used to achieve an optimum absorption of noise.
 

To block negative interference pulses and protect the sensor and electronics against reverse polarity of the supply voltage, this circuit uses the series diode D1. The suppressor diode D2 is used to limit positive interference pulses. Fast negative and positive interference pulses are absorbed by the capacitor C2. To supply the sensor during short supply voltage breakdown because of negative pulses, the electrolytic capacitor C3 stores energy. [Circuit diagram source: Philips Semiconductors Application Note]

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