DC motor advice for cold weather

[Acorn22]

Hi everyone, I am a business student who is currently working on a personal project related to electric motors in cold weather applications, this is my first post so take it easy on me! I am researching different types of low-voltage DC motors (12V), and am trying to find out if these motors are capable of operating in temperatures below freezing if given a reliable power source. The biggest concern seems to be demagnetization which would degrade motor and torque function, but would this be an issue if a rare earth metal such as neodymium were used? If that is the case, could proper insulation help combat the loss of power? For my application, the motor would be used for a very brief period (a couple seconds) and then switched off, as opposed to continuous operation.

I apologize for the rookie question, but I have come across different answers on the web and thought I would turn to those who know best!

Thanks

 

[itsmoked]

DC motors don't care much about the temperature from an electro-mechanical point of view.

No, the magnets are not bothered. High temperatures can bother them.

Think about the millions of autos and trucks in the world that start reliably in -40° weather. The thing that has problems is the chemically based batteries.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[Acorn22]

Thanks Keith, a lot of the DC motors I'm finding are generally rated for temperatures dows to 32 degrees F, so running a motor in temps lower than that shouldn't be a problem then?

 

[waross]

I am researching different types of low-voltage DC motors (12V), and am trying to find out if these motors are capable of operating in temperatures below freezing if given a reliable power source.

What Keith said.
Batteries don't like cold weather.
What kind of motor?
What is the load?

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[itsmoked]

You may be seeing a concern for water. Below 32 everything is subject to elevated condensation.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com