I know its been asked before but I need advice on what kind of motor to use for making a rotisserie. I want to be able to add a potentiometer and have a speed of between 2 and 10 RPM. I was originally thinking of a washing machine motor but think that it may not have the power at lower speeds.I Would also like to do it with a direct drive instead of having loads of pulleys as featured on you tube, although i realize some gearing may be required.Thanks in advice people.
The motor in your link is rated 0.4 watts input and about 0.3 watts output. You need about 10 times that power for a small rotisserie. The speed of an AC motor can not be inexpensively controlled without losing torque. For AC use, you need a universal motor, an AC motor with brushes like those used in plug-in electric drills and food mixers. DC motors will also work. For the speed that you need, most of the speed reduction must be obtained with gearing,
A washing machine motor would be much too powerful. You need the right set of gears or pulleys, motors move at thousands of RPMs. Potentiometers don't work well with AC motors, plus you would need a high power one. Assuming you want a 120 VAC drive, although around food and moisture, a low voltage DC motor would be a lot safer and easier to control. So pin down the voltage, AC versus DC and other specs. I suspect a small 12 VDC motor would be best. With the right gears, it doesn't need much power. edit: and 12 VDC motors are easily available as there are a handful in each auto. Window motors, windshield motors, wither would work.
The best suitable motor would be a DC motor. You can get a 12 V DC motor powerful enough for a rotisserie. But a gearbox is a must for the required speeds.
