Motor controllers are hard to understand. It’s not that I can’t find information about them on the Internet, but that there is so much information and so little consensus. For example: can I use an Arduino + SSR to control a DC motor, or do I need to use a MOSFET? Do I need a capacitor? How big a capacitor do I need? Do I need a kickback diode if I’m using an SSR, or is that only important if I’m using a MOSFET? Why does this “simple motor controller” diagram have thirty components?

I am flexible on the control mechanism. I could get a motorcycle-style twist-grip throttle, but I could also just have a push-button and a knob, where the push-button means “go” and the knob means “how fast”.

Whatever it is, it has to be simple enough that I can feel confident it will work, and that it will survive the playa. I don’t trust these massive black box circuits full of who knows what.

Maybe I’ll just skip the whole controller idea and just give it a “go” button. Push the button to power the motor and thereby accelerate; release it to coast. Would that work? Maybe I’ll just try it.