Protection of SilentStepStick Motor Drivers

Other Hardware Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
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Hello Folks,

I designed a circuit for my arduino project with 4 stepper motor drivers with silentstepstick modules (TMC5160T).
I want to protect the drivers from induction currents and power spikes when you spin the motor by hand. Im running Nema 23 23HS8440-23 (max. current 4A) with a 12V Power Supply (LiFePo4).
(https://www.roboter-bausatz.de/media/pdf/21/23/19/23HS8440-23-Datasheet.pdf)

My Idea was to connect a Full bridge rectifyier to the 2 phases of the stepper. So, if the voltage spikes, its going back to the battery (acts like an energy buffer).

circuit_diagram_v38_small
circuit_diagram_v38_small1362×1577 66.4 KB

For the Diodes i wanted to use DB207 2A Bridge rectifier (one for each phase of the Motor). in the upper diagram they are displayed as BAT45S. (that was my first try, and all blew up - maybe cause of the low current rating)

My Questions: Is the intended circuit needed and good enough that it can protect my modules? Are there any better solutions?

Sidequestion: Im not sure shottky diode is placed the right way on VIO to VM. (its for the turn on order of the TMC5160T)

I hope you can help me a little bit :confused:

Kind Regards
Yannik

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When the steppers are powered it will be very hard to turn them by hand. Why is that necessary?

Study the circuitry of the drivers. They might be designed to manage on their own.

1 Like
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Thanks for your reply!
The motors will move a quiet heavy object (an entire bed / Camper van). They are only turned on (due to power comsumption) for moving the whole system, which than will be locked in place.

I want to protect them in case of an mechanical overload scenario, when you forget to lock the bed in place (and the circuit is off).

Here is the scematic i found for the drivers
Mellow Fly 5160.pdf but i cant see any protection circuit?

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Okey, I get it.
The PDF You posted tells about the logic build but a lower level would be needed, the drive transistor stage.
One way could be to connect the steppers to the driver, use them, lock the mechanics and disconnect the sreppers from the drivers. Note that only one of the coil pair wires needs to be disconnected. Stoneage but safe.
I don't feel like analyzing Your suggested curcuitry due to the real life use of it. It's easy to miss things.
Maybe other helpers know more.

1 Like
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okey i figured out a method:
Just connect a Full bridge rectifier (like KBP210 2A) to each of the two phases. For the voltage spikes just add a 50V 2200uF (or similar) to V_IN and you should be good to got.
Testet with several silentstepstick drivers - turned them as hard as possible - all things survived.

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