Higher output from stepper motor controller...HELP....

fiveslo

I picked up one of those stepper controllers.. the ones that run of the parallel port of·a PC and control four motors... the only problem that I now have is the fact that the controller will only supply a maximum of 2.5A per phase.... my dear old steppers, bipolar with four wires, that I have need 8A.... I can run the motors with the controller per say, however I and easily.. as one would expect hold and stop the shaft of the motor while its running.. this is very not desirable... the question I ask is this... can I stack another H-Bridge on the output side of the controller to up the amperage rating of the controller, in other words... amplify the amperage output of the controller by adding to its outputs a circuit that does so.. anyone have any ideas and/or hints... please post schematics, links to schematics, or ideas... I really like this controller, and how it interfaces yet need to up it output current capabilities... HELP... Rob

Franklin

Add MOSFETs to the output sized to your requirements or if the design is open you could replace the ones on the board with more powerful ones.

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- Stephen

whicker

if this is one of those intelligent stepper controllers that takes in like 30-80V and PWM's it in a current control mode, then no, there's nothing you can (feasibly) do to increase the current capability.

If it's just TIP-31 and TIP-42's in an H-Bridge configuration, then potentially you could just take the control signals out to more powerful mosfets, like Franklin said.

fiveslo

What I was hoping to do was take the ABCD output signals and amplify or switch a higher current with larger MOSFETs... I actually leaning on trying this and or just create a whole new bridge assembly... but not until I try to do the first part.... BIGGER PARTS.... MORE CURRENT... smiling... and maybe smoking too.... not Camels that is ...