Powering Stepper Motor + L298N + Arduino w/ 12V Battery

Hi, I'm currently working on a senior design project incorporating a NEMA 17 stepper motor with a 2A rated current. In order to control this motor, we are using an L298N driver and an Arduino Uno Rev3 board. The battery currently in used is linked here; in summary, it is a 12V NiMH battery with 2000 mAh charge, and a 2A maximum discharge rate.

Using a guide found here, and replicating the diagram shown below, we have found that while the power source will be sufficient to light the driver's LED, it will not power the Arduino board. Only when connecting the Arduino board to a computer via USB have we managed to test the setup. Is there any possible workaround to allow us to power the full system with this battery? If not, would it be possible to incorporate a secondary battery to power the Arduino board alone?

For reference, we will need something that can power the system without a direct computer or wall connection. All electronics will be housed within a waterproof body and used underwater, and our design does not allow for a wired connection to a power source outside of the body.

Thanks in advance!

That's bad, almost a disaster so far.
Please post a link to the datasheet of the stepper.

What "Arduino" are You using? Several of them can be powered by 12 volt.
Why not use the 5 volt delivered by the L298?

If You post proper schematics instead of a coloured toy picture it would be possible to read what function/name the different pins have.

1 Like

Why do you think that the Arduino can not be powered by 12V into the barrel connector?

1 Like

Hi, @mtd00017
If you look at the Fritzy picture, there is no 5V supply to the UNO, it can only get supply from the PC the way that it is wired.

Can you please post links to data/specs of your stepper?
Nema 17 means nothing when it comes to motor characteristics.

Thanks.. Tom.. :smiley: :+1: :australia: :coffee:

1 Like

So not possible to use an L298 then.
The article you linked to is using a 350mA stepper.

Must use a current controlled stepper driver for a low voltage 2Amp stepper motor.
Leo..

1 Like

Thanks so much for the help, everyone. I (and the rest of my group) am very new to Arduino in general, and have only done very basic things with electronics, typically in controlled lab settings, in the past.

We have had additional problems with overheating of our L298N driver, and have relied primarily on online tutorials like the one I mentioned in my initial post. As @Railroader and @Wawa have suggested, it's clear now that this driver is not sufficient for the system in use. We intend on using an A4988 or a DRV8825 driver in its place moving forward.

As for power concerns, thank you to @DrDiettrich and @TomGeorge for clearing that up. Being the novices that we are, we assumed that the diagram given would be sufficient to power the entire system, including the Arduino Uno board. A PDF is attached to the end of this reply, with the data sheet of the stepper we're using.

NEMA_17_Datasheet.pdf (762.2 KB)

Study the specs in the link I gave you.
The A4988 can't do 2Amp, the DRV8825 maybe just.
Leo..

1 Like

Don't force helpers to any file download. It's not popular if You get the picture. Post it here!

Watch out for the current capacity of them. I think the A4988 maxis at some 1.6 Amps and then needs both heatsink and fan cooling.

1 Like

Sorry about that, and thanks for the advice. I'm new to this forum and I appreciate the etiquette advice. Here is a screenshot of that file instead; unfortunately I couldn't find a URL to the spec sheet.

Thanks again both to @Wawa and @Railroader for the advice regarding adequate drivers!

The dimensiion part of the picture explains what a NEMA17 is.
One line telling the rated current, is the most important data.
Good luck!
Come back to forum if You need!

1 Like

The TB6600 could be a better option.
Leo..

1 Like

This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.