Spreader Electrical question re: the spreader controller

Desert Bred · Jun 17, 2014

I picked up a Turf Ex 1875 spreader from an auction. The unit is a fully 12v unit that can be mounted on trucks atv's tractors etc. There are separate motors for the hopper auger, spinner, and vibrator.
There is a wiring harness or something that i forgot the name for that ties in all those motors to 6 male pins and the 'Controller' plugs into that.

The controller costs 400$ plus..

It consists of:
a) main power on/off switch,
b) switch for the vibrator (on/off)
c) potentiometer for the auger
d) potentiometer for the spinner

I can wire the switches in at least but i'm having doubts about what size potentiometer i could use for this setup, knowing the minimal but that it is a 12v system and should be fused by a 60amp fuse.

Any ideas what potentiometer I could use for this?

bumperm · Jun 17, 2014

I'd skip the potentiometers and go with DC speed controllers. They are not expensive (probably cheaper than the high wattage pot that you'd need), much more efficient than a pot, and will doubtless last longer too. Here's an example (go to amazon or ebay and search DC motor speed controller). Amazon.com: DROK PWM 12V-40V DC Electric Pump/Motor Speed Controller Stepless 10% -100% 10A: Electronics

You can get higher wattage ones too, just make sure they are rated as high or higher than your motors.

bumper

Desert Bred · Jun 17, 2014

thanks for pointing me in that direction.
I found that the motor for auger And the motor for spinner are just under 30A which means I would need a 60a as they both would be running at the same time.
I've been looking for a 30A dc motor speed controller they are definitely cheaper coming from China. :thumbsup:

ended up getting two of these:

10 50V 40A DC Motor Speed Control PWM HHO RC Controller 12V 24V 48V 2000W Max | eBay