I just bought [SparkFun Power Driver Shield Kit. I read in the specifications that it was possible to controll up to 60 v using pwm. I got a project where I need to controll 60 v with the pwm so I bought this card but got a bit confused when I got it. I thought it simply would be possible to connect my 60 v output into the card and controlling the output with pwm. but I got confused where it says 12 v and 5 v.
Is it not possible to use higher voltage then 12 v with the card? My idea was to use it basically as a dimmer, controlling voltage between 0-60v with the help of pwm
60V is the absolute maximum voltage rating of the FET; for reliability, I would not get too close to that (any spikes on a 60v rail would easily kill it). I would probably not go over 48v regulated (not 48v battery as they run about 54v when charging). Likewise, the 20A rating assumes ideal perfect cooling with an infinite heatsink. Also, I am not sure on the trace widths for 20A.
The 5 and 12v ratings are just what you would get if you used an ATX power supply; you can feed a higher voltage to those rails if you are using another supply.