Is the L6208 a good chip for controlling bipolar stepper motors with the Propel
ElectricAye
Posts: 4,561
Hey everyone,
I've been learning how to run stepper motors with the Propeller and so far I've worked through the simple L/R and L/5R controls for a unipolar design but now I thought I might consider a bipolar controller using one of the nifty ready-made chips that seems to "do it all" with the PWM current-limiting concept. Since I'm still insecure about using surface mount stuff, I looked around for a DIP type package and found that the L6208 comes in a PowerDip version (Data sheet attached below.)
I hope to use that chip with a Propeller to operate a Vexta motor, PK266-02a, 2-phase, in bipolar mode:
catalog.orientalmotor.com/item/stepping-motors--1068/pk-series-stepping-motors/pk266-02a?&plpver=1043&seo=110
But because I really never know what I'm doing, I thought I might post this idea to see if there are any egregious errors in my way of thinking. Is there any reason why the L6208 might not work with either the Prop or this kind of motor?
Any comments or other suggestions or other possible chips in a DIP package that a newbie like me might be able to deal with?
many thanks,
Mark
I've been learning how to run stepper motors with the Propeller and so far I've worked through the simple L/R and L/5R controls for a unipolar design but now I thought I might consider a bipolar controller using one of the nifty ready-made chips that seems to "do it all" with the PWM current-limiting concept. Since I'm still insecure about using surface mount stuff, I looked around for a DIP type package and found that the L6208 comes in a PowerDip version (Data sheet attached below.)
I hope to use that chip with a Propeller to operate a Vexta motor, PK266-02a, 2-phase, in bipolar mode:
catalog.orientalmotor.com/item/stepping-motors--1068/pk-series-stepping-motors/pk266-02a?&plpver=1043&seo=110
But because I really never know what I'm doing, I thought I might post this idea to see if there are any egregious errors in my way of thinking. Is there any reason why the L6208 might not work with either the Prop or this kind of motor?
Any comments or other suggestions or other possible chips in a DIP package that a newbie like me might be able to deal with?
many thanks,
Mark
Comments
It does not provide as much current as the L6208, but it worked for my application - and it is much cheaper than the L6208
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www.mikronauts.com E-mail: mikronauts _at_ gmail _dot_ com 5.0" VGA LCD in stock!
Morpheus dual Prop SBC w/ 512KB kit $119.95, Mem+2MB memory/IO kit $89.95, both kits $189.95 SerPlug $9.95
Propteus and Proteus for Propeller prototyping 6.250MHz custom Crystals run Propellers at 100MHz
Las - Large model assembler Largos - upcoming nano operating system
Hi Bill,
yes, somebody else suggested that to me, too. It looks like a good chip but can you drive that directly using the Propeller or do you need to interface it with something like the L297? If you need an L297, then it seems to me the cost works out about the same, true??? My intent was to use one Propeller to control perhaps 5 stepper motors, so I didn't want to use up too many Propeller pins with too many "mindless" tasks.
thanks,
Mark
You can drive both IC's with Propeller but.
1. L6208 need use 3 (+ 1 Speed clocking) pins of Propeller and have already direction and half/full step inbuild already.
2. L298 need use 4 pins of Propeller and You need driver that have inbuild driving of direction of steping, half/full steps in it. As all 4 pins drive directly coils in steper.
Regards
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Nothing is impossible, there are only different degrees of difficulty.
For every stupid question there is at least one intelligent answer.
Don't guess - ask instead.
If you don't ask you won't know.
If your gonna construct something, make it·as simple as·possible yet as versatile as posible.
Sapieha
I've used an L298 to control standard DC motors, DC motors geared waaaay down (224:1), and stepper motors.
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www.mikronauts.com E-mail: mikronauts _at_ gmail _dot_ com 5.0" VGA LCD in stock!
Morpheus dual Prop SBC w/ 512KB kit $119.95, Mem+2MB memory/IO kit $89.95, both kits $189.95 SerPlug $9.95
Propteus and Proteus for Propeller prototyping 6.250MHz custom Crystals run Propellers at 100MHz
Las - Large model assembler Largos - upcoming nano operating system
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*Peter*
I never compare in that maner - Always use what is needed for Design that I work on and how much I can need to correct function.
You are not correctly right. To drive Stepers and DC motors Yuo ned only diodes. L297 is optional and if You will drive DC motors not needed at all.
Regards
Christoffer J
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Nothing is impossible, there are only different degrees of difficulty.
For every stupid question there is at least one intelligent answer.
Don't guess - ask instead.
If you don't ask you won't know.
If your gonna construct something, make it·as simple as·possible yet as versatile as posible.
Sapieha
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*Peter*
That is somewhat how I did it with the so-called L/5R version of control. I used IRF3708 mosfets and placed some Schottky diodes across the motor windings to deal with the flyback currents, but I'm trying to advance beyond that basic technique so I can perhaps get better efficiency. So it seems to me that using an L297 + L298... or to use something like the L6208 is necessary to get better performance. The L6208 seems a bit pricey but it appears to me that this one chip "does it all" with just a handful of external components that are not too bulky. In fact, it almost sounds too good to be true to me, which is why I posted my question on the forum: I wanted to double check with all you forum gurus before I got too excited about it.
Simply put, I'm just trying to get a warm fuzzy here.
thanks guys,
Mark