# First time stepper motor attempt and rising smoke **URL:** \ **Category:** Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC\ **Created:** [February 4, 2024, 6:12pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/first-time-stepper-motor-attempt-and-rising-smoke/1219921 "2024-02-04T18:12:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![stoat907](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@stoat907](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/stoat907)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 6:12pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/first-time-stepper-motor-attempt-and-rising-smoke/1219921/1 "2024-02-04T18:12:37Z")
Hello, I am trying to get a small Nema 17, 2a stepper motor to work. I've followed [this comprehensive guide](https://howtomechatronics.com/tutorials/arduino/stepper-motors-and-arduino-the-ultimate-guide/). I'm using the 8825 driver and a 24v 3A power supply. Unfortunately when I plug in the power to attempt the current limiting part I get some kind of short and something fries - puff of smoke from the driver on the breadboard. I'm not sure where to troubleshoot at all. I repeated it with all new components and making sure connections were correct but got the same result. I'm also curious if setting the current limit is even needed as the driver maxes at 1.5 and the motor at 2A. Any help would be appreciated as I'm a beginner here. ---
**Author:** ![anon94801460](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/278dde/32.png) [@anon94801460](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/anon94801460)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 6:36pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/first-time-stepper-motor-attempt-and-rising-smoke/1219921/2 "2024-02-04T18:36:48Z")
> [@stoat907](#): > > I'm using the 8825 driver Then you weren't actually following that guide, which is for an A4988 motor driver. > I'm also curious if setting the current limit is even needed Setting the current limit is absolutely required, and it must be set to less than the rated maximum current for the motor driver. ---
**Author:** ![stoat907](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@stoat907](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/stoat907)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/first-time-stepper-motor-attempt-and-rising-smoke/1219921/3 "2024-02-04T18:53:16Z")
The guide covers 2 drivers and yes it includes the 8825. What am I missing with setting the current then and how would you do it without the power supply connected? Like I said, it fries basiclly once power is connected. ---
**Author:** ![anon94801460](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/278dde/32.png) [@anon94801460](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/anon94801460)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/first-time-stepper-motor-attempt-and-rising-smoke/1219921/4 "2024-02-04T18:55:10Z")
> [@stoat907](#): > > What am I missing with setting the current then What did you do to set the current limit? Never change wiring when devices are powered. If you did so, then that was probably what fried the motor driver. Also, breadboards, which are designed for temporary experiments with low power logic devices, cannot be used for motor currents. The tracks will burn, and that can also lead to fried motor drivers. ---
**Author:** ![stoat907](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@stoat907](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/stoat907)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 10:41pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/first-time-stepper-motor-attempt-and-rising-smoke/1219921/5 "2024-02-04T22:41:08Z")
Ok Thank you. Figured out my initial problem.. embarrassingly had the driver upside down. Let's pretend that did not happen.. Ok now I'm getting very, very low, if any Vref when adjusting the pot. (new driver) ---
**Author:** ![anon94801460](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/278dde/32.png) [@anon94801460](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/anon94801460)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 10:44pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/first-time-stepper-motor-attempt-and-rising-smoke/1219921/6 "2024-02-04T22:44:43Z")
We have all made those mistakes, many times. If you are using a breadboard, the tracks may have been burned by the last mishap, and it should probably be discarded. It is best to wire motor power and motor leads directly to the driver module, either using soldered pin headers, soldered wire connections or secure screw terminals if provided. ---
**Author:** ![Wawa](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/wawa/32/1211303_2.png) [@Wawa](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Wawa)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 3:00am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/first-time-stepper-motor-attempt-and-rising-smoke/1219921/7 "2024-02-05T03:00:57Z")
Better follow the Pololu guides. Motor current is first set with the motor disconnected. If you measure coil current (you shouldn't), then you could be 30% off. Leo.. ---
**Author:** ![stoat907](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@stoat907](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/stoat907)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 5:20pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/first-time-stepper-motor-attempt-and-rising-smoke/1219921/8 "2024-02-14T17:20:42Z")
Hi again, Despite a few other attempts I could not get the DRV8825 setup to work. I went ahead and bought one of the L298N driver boards. The motor turns (horray!) but now I'm having overheating issues on the driver. Please set me straight.. The [motor is rated](https://www.omc-stepperonline.com/nema-17-high-temp-stepper-motor-59ncm-84oz-in-insulation-class-h-180c-17hs19-2004s1-h) at 2amp, and phase resistance of 1.8 ohm's. Seems my power supply would be quite low voltage like 4v then for this to work well? I fried my first driver using a 24v 3 amp power supply, then tried a 12v 6amp and that got hot to where function was effected and I think would have eventually fried as well. ---
**Author:** ![anon94801460](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/278dde/32.png) [@anon94801460](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/anon94801460)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 5:40pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/first-time-stepper-motor-attempt-and-rising-smoke/1219921/9 "2024-02-14T17:40:52Z")
The ancient, extremely inefficient L298 can handle only 1 Ampere per channel, continuously, and wastes a huge amount of power (with an internal voltage drop of as much as 4V). The L298 is primarily for low power brushed DC motors (toys) and not at all suitable for low resistance stepper motors. Use a current limiting driver for those. ---
**Author:** ![gilshultz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/67e7ee/32.png) [@gilshultz](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/gilshultz)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 6:49pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/first-time-stepper-motor-attempt-and-rising-smoke/1219921/10 "2024-02-14T18:49:22Z")
> [@stoat907](#): > > embarrassingly had the driver upside down Congratulations and welcome to probably the biggest electronics group around. Probably all of us are members. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/system/32/1140315_2.png) [@system](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/system)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/first-time-stepper-motor-attempt-and-rising-smoke/1219921/11 "2024-08-12T18:50:00Z")
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