Hello! I'm trying to start a project that would involve controlling several stepper motors (up to 6, but at least 2). I have figured out how to control and power one motor, but I am a bit confused how to power the motor controller (DM320T). I have currently attached a 24V power supply to the controller (+24V and GND wires), which works to power the motor. On the other end, the controller requires 2 output pins from the Arduino and then a +5V pin to power the controller's logic. As I said before, this system works almost flawlessly for one stepper (and therefore one DM320T controller).
My problem, however, is that I have no idea how to give power to multiple DM320T's for their internal logic. The Arduino is only able to supply one +5V output, and I am worried that if I split that output (parallel) it would overload the +5V pin and could potentially damage the Arduino. I also am unsure how I would use a 5V battery (or power supply), since I wouldn't be able to connect the battery's ground anywhere.
Any help and advice would be appreciated (even if it requires me changing my entire setup). Thanks!
Please post a wiring diagram of your entire setup and clickable links or posts of all the components. Don't expect us to sit and Google.
Consider using a single 5 volt power supply for all the devices that require 5 volts. Add up the current requirements and get a 5 volt supply that can supply that current plus a margin for future additions to your project.
What components are used in the project?
Yes, but how would I ground that supply? I can definitely have something like that, but in that case only one of the wires coming from the power supply would be connected. Would this still work?
ALL the negative/ground connections MUST be connected together! Power supplies, Arduino, Sensors, control boards, everything, except the opto-isolated relay modules.
Great, thanks! I was just unsure about this, as I wasn't sure if connecting the ground of a different power supply to my original would cause any harm. That makes sense though, I'll try that out.
Electricity is fundamentally electrons going in circles. A line is not a circle
Yes, which is why I was asking that clarifying question. Obviously, my issue has been cleared here, as Paul replied, stating that the ground would be the same ground as the other power supplies and boards. And obviously, electrons go in circles, which, again, is why I was trying to make sure I was understanding Paul correctly the first time.