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Stepper interface — Parallax Forums

Stepper interface

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2001-09-15 16:43 in General Discussion
Another newbie here...

I need to interface a BS2 to a linear actuator (Thomson Airpax L92421-
P1). This actuator is driven by a 5 volt stepper. I plan to send
output from the BS2 pins to logic-level FETs to drive the stepper
coils. Reverse biased diodes would be placed across each of the motor
leads to handle spikes.

Can I safely use a single 5 volt power supply for both the stepper
and VDD on the BS2, or would this risk damaging the stamp? Would some
kind of filter be needed on the input to VDD?

My apologies if this has been covered before. Any links would be
appreciated.

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-09-14 01:01
    At 09:11 AM 9/11/2001 , you wrote:
    >Another newbie here...
    >
    >I need to interface a BS2 to a linear actuator (Thomson Airpax L92421-
    >P1). This actuator is driven by a 5 volt stepper. I plan to send
    >output from the BS2 pins to logic-level FETs to drive the stepper
    >coils. Reverse biased diodes would be placed across each of the motor
    >leads to handle spikes.
    >
    >Can I safely use a single 5 volt power supply for both the stepper
    >and VDD on the BS2, or would this risk damaging the stamp? Would some
    >kind of filter be needed on the input to VDD?



    You probably won't hurt the stamp, but consider the following:
    In actual practice I won't connect a logic power supply to "motors"
    or inductive loads. Most FETS (not every one) have built in
    suppression diodes so check this before adding more.

    If you insist on doing this be sure to de-couple your power supply near
    the stamp with a .1 uF capacitor and a 100uF or larger electrolytic
    capacitor. I think a Nema 23 size 5 volt stepper phase will be about 1
    amp. I would make sure you use at least a 5 volt 3 amp power supply
    to be safe.

    The one advantage of using 5 volts with a 5 volt stepper is there's no need for
    power resistors to drop excess voltage and limit the current in the steppers
    phases. But a five volt power supply for a five volt stepper will limit the
    stepper
    speed to about 400 steps per second. You'll need a power supply 4 or 5 times
    the stepper voltage to run the stepper at higher speeds. Say 24vdc. Then you'll
    have to use voltage dropping resistors (20 ohms 25 watts if 1 amp per phase)
    on each center tap of the stepper motor windings.

    I highly recommend you use a 24v power supply (BS2 E series only) connected
    to Vin pin 24. This will put some isolation (the stamp 5 volt regulator )
    between the
    stamp and the motor supply voltage. Good Luck!



    Greg Hensley
    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    Defense Sciences Engineering Division
    7000 East Avenue Mail Stop L-369
    Livermore, CA 94550
    Phone: (925) 423-4850
    Fax: (925) 422-2118
    Email: hensley1@l...


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-09-15 16:43
    Thanks, that's exactly the information I was looking for. Very much
    appreciated.

    Regards,
    Dan

    --- In basicstamps@y..., Greg Hensley <hensley1@l...> wrote:
    > At 09:11 AM 9/11/2001 , you wrote:
    > >Another newbie here...
    > >
    > >I need to interface a BS2 to a linear actuator (Thomson Airpax
    L92421-
    > >P1). This actuator is driven by a 5 volt stepper. I plan to send
    > >output from the BS2 pins to logic-level FETs to drive the stepper
    > >coils. Reverse biased diodes would be placed across each of the
    motor
    > >leads to handle spikes.
    > >
    > >Can I safely use a single 5 volt power supply for both the stepper
    > >and VDD on the BS2, or would this risk damaging the stamp? Would
    some
    > >kind of filter be needed on the input to VDD?
    >
    >
    >
    > You probably won't hurt the stamp, but consider the following:
    > In actual practice I won't connect a logic power supply to "motors"
    > or inductive loads. Most FETS (not every one) have built in
    > suppression diodes so check this before adding more.
    >
    > If you insist on doing this be sure to de-couple your power supply
    near
    > the stamp with a .1 uF capacitor and a 100uF or larger electrolytic
    > capacitor. I think a Nema 23 size 5 volt stepper phase will be
    about 1
    > amp. I would make sure you use at least a 5 volt 3 amp power supply
    > to be safe.
    >
    > The one advantage of using 5 volts with a 5 volt stepper is there's
    no need for
    > power resistors to drop excess voltage and limit the current in the
    steppers
    > phases. But a five volt power supply for a five volt stepper will
    limit the
    > stepper
    > speed to about 400 steps per second. You'll need a power supply 4
    or 5 times
    > the stepper voltage to run the stepper at higher speeds. Say 24vdc.
    Then you'll
    > have to use voltage dropping resistors (20 ohms 25 watts if 1 amp
    per phase)
    > on each center tap of the stepper motor windings.
    >
    > I highly recommend you use a 24v power supply (BS2 E series only)
    connected
    > to Vin pin 24. This will put some isolation (the stamp 5 volt
    regulator )
    > between the
    > stamp and the motor supply voltage. Good Luck!
    >
    >
    >
    > Greg Hensley
    > Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    > Defense Sciences Engineering Division
    > 7000 East Avenue Mail Stop L-369
    > Livermore, CA 94550
    > Phone: (925) 423-4850
    > Fax: (925) 422-2118
    > Email: hensley1@l...
    >
    >
    > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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