Recently I've burned out my L298N motor driver and I need a bit of help with choosing another driver that could handle more current.
I've measured the stall current of the motors I'm using (after I've burned the chip (I'm stooped)) and I'm looking for a way to figure out what motor driver should I get now.
So I'm powering the motors from a 12V battery and the ones that burnt my chip draw 3.4A (steering) and 7A (movement) when stall. Note that the motors are in an old RC car and the 3.4A motor is for the steering, meaning that while the car is turning it will always be stall.
The other two motors I might use are from a helicopter and they draw 12A when stall.
So my question is - when I have the stall current of the motors, how can I calculate the needed supported current by the motor driver?
Also, I'd appreciate it if someone gives me links to motor drivers that would work in my case.
The motor driver has to provide all of the stall current, if you think about it that's obvious.
So if a motor driver has an absolute maximum current of 4A and you use it with a motor and supply
capable of 10A stall current you will fry it sooner of later.
Even though those front motors in toy grade rc cars can draw 3.4 amps at stall I would try and limit that.
I had done that in an rc car once then my kid drove around a chair with it the same direction for about 10 mins. The motor pretty much melted its plastic housing by the time I noticed. Find the minimum current you need to keep keep the wheel locked.
Better yet, replace that motor with a standard servo and you will get full proportional steering too!
So if I get 10A driver for 10A stall current motor is that ok or should I get one which can process several amps more just to be sure?
Depends if you trust the specs for the driver.
You need enough current handling for the stall current, but this doesn't need to be the continuous
current rating, just the peak rating, unless you intend stalling the motor continuously.