I have a 1.5 hp motor that I have running on a vee belt pulley, turning a 16" dia. x 3' long trommel of sorts to dehull pecans. I have a gear reduction motor, with a reduction of 24:1. Right now, I have the trommel hooked up to a 1725 rpm motor with a 1.5" dia pulley, then a 14" pulley. I hooked it up today, and it nearly took off across the shop. I don't want to really want to use the gear reduction drive, as I compute that if I hook it up straight through, I will end up at about 71 rpm on the trommel, kinda fast sounding, but wouldn't know unless I hook it up and run it. It needs to spin just fast enough so that all the nuts keep tumbling, and not go to one side of the cage like a blanket in a washing machine spin cycle. So, I wanted to hook up a rheostat. Tried a dimmer, forget that. Looked at variable voltage controls, and they are from $20 to $2,000. What do I need to put in line on this motor to be able to regulate its speed? It is a big heavy motor, and it has two covers on top, I think cap starts. Look like the old bulbous things on a 55 Chevy starter, but two of them.
Want to keep it simple. I could get another gear reduction, but that would have to be a miracle, as I won't pay retail. Don't want a series of pullies, would rather have electrical controller. I need some control, as the hopper will be loaded with different poundages of nuts, and different shapes which will change tumbling characteristics.
Help appreciated.