overheating controller
sg1.jedi
Posts: 1
Hi, I am part of a robotics club and we have a robotics competition in april 26. Right now the mechanic team bump to a problem;our motor controller are overheating due to the fact that when we bought it we had a different frame with motors running at 12v and now we have a new frame with motor running at 24V and all our electronics are running at 12V specially the controllers. What is happening is that when the motors are running they try to get a high current from the controller around 13A and the controller are rated for 8A.Consequently, due to a safety feature in the controller its automatically shut down to cool off for a mn. We try to put heat sink and fans on it to cool it off but its helping a little bit not enough to run the system properly.In flat ground it working perfectly but if there is a bump or elevation its overheating.
Please help.
Please help.
Comments
I've often see people run motors at higher than rated voltages (12V motors at 24V) but that was mostly at Battlebots events where you didn't plan on using them for more than 3 minutes at a time and expected to replace them.
Running a 12V controller at 24V or using them with motors that draw more current than the controller is designed for is a recipe for disaster. You are extremely lucky that you haven't turned your controllers into toast if you haven't already.
You can safely run your 24V motors at 12V (although at reduced speed). So you have several options:
- Run your 24V motors at 12V
- Use 12V motors
- Buy new controllers that handle 24V at higher capacity (more amps)
If you are competing then I would expect you would want your robot to be reliable, right? If so, stay within the specs whenever possible and don't exceed them unless you know the consequences. If you are unsure then ask questions. You may want to checkout the robot combat groups as well as some for the FIRST robotics.
Good luck,
Robert