How to check if a Driver can drive a Nema?

Other Hardware Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
1

Hi,
I have the following drivers:

And I'm interesting in buying a strong NEMA with more than 270oz and up to 425oz. Unfortunately I'm a noob in this area and I have no idea on how to check if the motor will fit to one of my drivers or not.

The list of motors that I found suitable (Budget/OZ/etc) for my project(s) are:

The missing part is to check if they will work with my drivers. I will appreciate if you could help me understand on how to calculate that.

Thanks!

2

Assuming the 3a and 4.4A in your motor descriptions represents the number of amps that the motor requires then I suggest you get a driver than can provide at least 1 amp more than the motor needs and preferably has a 50% margin.

On that basis the A4988 and DRV8825 are completely unsuitable. The TB6600 might be marginally OK for the 3amp motors - but you would need to check the driver datasheet.

As you have not provided links to the datasheets for the other drivers I cannot comment.

For the future it is always a good idea to provide links to the motor datasheets as there is such a wide variety of motors. Arduino folk are probably familiar with the A4988 and DRV8825 and, to a lesser extent the TB66xx drivers.

...R
Stepper Motor Basics
Simple Stepper Code

3

Robin2:
As you have not provided links to the datasheets for the other drivers I cannot comment.

I just modified my original post, each motor model is a link to the actual eBay page with the relevant data-sheet.
Let me know if its sufficient.

BTW, How can it be that a smaller motor require more AMPs (23HS2430 112mm 3A vs j-5718hb3401 76mm 4.4A)?

Thanks!

4

eldad87:
I just modified my original post, each motor model is a link to the actual eBay page with the relevant data-sheet.
Let me know if its sufficient.

I am prepared to take your word for it that the amps needed by each motor is correct. If you look at Reply #1 you will see that my problem was a lack of datasheets for the drivers.

BTW, How can it be that a smaller motor require more AMPs (23HS2430 112mm 3A vs j-5718hb3401 76mm 4.4A)?

That is a question for the manufacturers. Perhaps the higher amperage motor has fewer turns of thicker wire. Or maybe the manufacturer thinks its OK to run hotter.

...R

5

I'm interesting in buying a strong NEMA

There is only one NEMA: National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

6

Robin2:
If you look at Reply #1 you will see that my problem was a lack of datasheets for the drivers.

My bad. I've updated the post with links to the drivers. I hope that they will be sufficient enough.

7

The BTS7960 seems to be a board with h-bridge drivers which are really intended for DC motors and not stepper motors so I would rule it out completely. Specialized stepper drivers can limit the current to protect the motor so that you can use a higher voltage power supply for better performance.

The DM542 has a max current of 4.5 amps so I would consider it suitable for the 3 amp motors but not the 4.4amp motor.

...R

8

Robin2:
The DM542 has a max current of 4.5 amps so I would consider it suitable for the 3 amp motors but not the 4.4amp motor.

Thank you for you reply!
What about the, TB6600? According to the specs it can handle 4A - its not sufficient to handle 3A motor?
Even something like this one?

9

eldad87:
What about the, TB6600? According to the specs it can handle 4A - its not sufficient to handle 3A motor?

I dealt with that in Reply #1

...R

10

Robin2:
I dealt with that in Reply #1

You wrote the following:

Robin2:
The TB6600 might be marginally OK for the 3amp motors - but you would need to check the driver datasheet.

As you have not provided links to the datasheets for the other drivers I cannot comment.

And I provided a link to the eBay page which contain the relevant (I hope) information:
TB6600, Anyway, I just ordered the TB6600HG which is rated at 4.5A.

11

eldad87:
You wrote the following:

I also wrote "I suggest you get a driver than can provide at least 1 amp more than the motor needs and preferably has a 50% margin." and it seems that the TB6600 meets my first criterion.

...R

12

Unlike regular motor drivers, you don't need to over-rate a stepper driver. A 4.4A driver is just fine for a 4.5A motor.

However you do need to follow all the manufacturer's instructions for cooling and power supply to achieve that maximum performance.

13

MorganS:
Unlike regular motor drivers, you don't need to over-rate a stepper driver. A 4.4A driver is just fine for a 4.5A motor.

I don't believe that is true for an A4988 or DRV8825 (at their own current limits, of course) and, in general, I do not like operating electronic devices close to their limit.

...R

14

Robin2:
I don't believe that is true for an A4988 or DRV8825 (at their own current limits, of course) and, in general, I do not like operating electronic devices close to their limit.

...R

I have several options to go with, based on your previews responses, you recommend using the 5A drivers.
How can I check if the motors I got can work properly with my drivers?

I'm not interesting in spending over than 15$ on a driver, anything above 6A just seems too expensive and cost around 50$.
I rather buy 2x2.5A steppers+drivers instead of a single 4.4-6A stepper + HBS86H/CW8060/DM556 driver.

15

I stand by the rule of thumb I gave you in Reply #1 - at least one extra amp and preferably 50% more than the motor requires.

The only way to be certain is to try.

And, yes, when you get beyond the hobby stepper drivers the price shoots up. But you say you want a high-torque motor.

...R

16

Robin2:
I stand by the rule of thumb I gave you in Reply #1 - at least one extra amp and preferably 50% more than the motor requires.

The question is why 50% more? The motor won't function well if I'll limit the driver to 5A?

Robin2:
And, yes, when you get beyond the hobby stepper drivers the price shoots up.

3A stepper is not considered a hobby stepper?

Robin2:
But you say you want a high-torque motor.

Yes, I need high torque motor, I need the motor to lift 40KG using a ballscrew.

17

eldad87:
The question is why 50% more? The motor won't function well if I'll limit the driver to 5A?

I just said it so you would have a good reason to ask more questions.

Feel free to ignore my rule of thumb.

...R

18

Robin2:
I just said it so you would have a good reason to ask more questions.

Feel free to ignore my rule of thumb.

...R

I'm not trying to ignore your rule, I really thank you for it - but my budget won't allow me to get a 6A driver.
So I wondered what could be the consequences of using a 5A instead of a 6A driver. Just to know what to expect for...

19

eldad87:
So I wondered what could be the consequences of using a 5A instead of a 6A driver. Just to know what to expect for...

It will probably work - it complies with my rule of thumb. But neither of us can know for certain until you try it.

...R

20

How to check if a Driver can drive a Nema?

New model from Elon Musk? :grin: Just kidding.