MOSFET\Optocoupler for 12v DC - 15AMP Pump

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello,

I've created a water methanol controller (PWM) using Arduino Nano, it all works as expected using a small 6V motor with an IRF520 MOSFET module in lieu of an actual water methanol pump & correct MOSFET\Optocoupler.

I'm looking for some advice on which MOSFET\Optocoupler module would be suitable to drive the water methanol pump from the Nano. The pump will be 12V DC and between 10 & 15 AMP's depending on which one I buy. I've had a look round and found this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004333691412.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.607a38daYribhC&mp=1 but I think the relay is mechanical and the trigger is Optical which is not going to work for PWM.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks

2

I would use an N channel MOSFET to drive the pump. Either select a MOSFET managing the stall current of the pump, or several MOSFETs in parallell. MOSFET will share the load current but silicon transistors will not.

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3

You mean "bipolar" transistors (BJT) in contrast to MOSFETs.

4

Of course. Rusty dictionary... Thanks!

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5

I bought a bunch of these a while back:

Haven't been able to try them at high loads yet (they claim 43A current. Ha!) but they work fine at lower power levels.

6

Before specifying the driver, perhaps we should know more about the motor it’s driving?

7

Right. A regular electro-mechanical relay won't work with PWM. (PWM does work through an optical isolator.)

The IRF520 is not a "logic level" MOSFET so it takes more than 5V to turn it fully-on. It will tend to overheat if you turn it partially-on with 5V. (It could work in a "module" with some additional circuitry if higher voltage is available.) And it's only rated for around 9A.

With ANY MOSFET you'll probably need a heatsink for 10 or 15A.

You don't need a bridge driver unless you need to reverse the motor.

8

Thanks all,

Looks like the BTS7960 should do the trick and I found a tutorial on you tube,

Most appreciated.

Thanks again:)

9

Also found this which is very helpful,

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