I've recently purchased two Nema 17 stepper motors for use on a mechatronic arm project.
I'm having trouble regarding the recommended voltage, I thought it was 12v but the website claims the "Motor Nominal Voltage" is 2.25 V which seems far to low for it's rating of 1.7 amps?
I'm also unsure of the recommended motor driver to use with them. I purchased two A4988 drivers for this purpose but I believe the current rating is to low to use effectively, and I can't find any 1.7amp rating drivers for less than $50.
Any help regarding these issues is greatly appreciated! <33
The motor "nominal voltage" of 2.25 V and the maximum current rating of 1.7 A are the same thing, related by Ohm's law, which indicates that the winding resistance is 1.3 Ohms.
To use that motor at its full rated torque and winding current, you need a current limiting motor driver than can handle at least 2 A per winding.
Or, if you are satisfied with a bit lower torque, use the DRV8825, which can handle 1.5 A per winding. Be sure to set the motor driver current limit to 1.5 A or lower.
A motor power supply capable of supplying more than 1 Ampere at 12 to 24 V is recommended (the motor will draw about 8 watts, continuous duty).
The A4988 will be fine if you correctly set the current limit to 1 Ampere or less.
To do that, you have to know what value current sense resistors were used, and that value varies between board manufacturers. From the schematic posted on the product page you linked it should be 0.05 Ohms.
