Stepper Motor works under strange circumstances

Other Hardware General Electronics
1

Hi guys,

I have been conducting a project to rotate a stepper motor and was running the code and everything was running fine, until the motor let out a strange clunking noise and stopped.

For general information:
I am using a A4988 stepper motor driver
An arduino uno
A NEMA 17 42-40 from creality, see here: (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creality-Printer-Stepper-Extruder-Compatible/dp/B091CXPXVP/ref=sr_1_10?crid=2GESD6R6438Y3&keywords=nema+17+stepper+motor+creality+42-40&qid=1680635546&sprefix=nema+17+stepper+motor+creality+42-40%2Caps%2C63&sr=8-10)

As a new user I can't post images here, however, my electronics are wired up following the tutorial linked below and the code is also from there. https://howtomechatronics.com/tutorials/arduino/how-to-control-stepper-motor-with-a4988-driver-and-arduino/

Since then I have tried a multitude of solutions including changing boards, checking wires and checking the motor using a different type of driver and as individual components they all work. However, when wiring up my components the motor now only works when I hold the positive probe only of my multi-meter on the VMOT pin of my A4988. When I do this and am able to maintain contact, the motor runs as it should. It appears to me as though there is a loose/poor connection at this pin, however having tried multiple boards, wires and positions on the breadboard, they all produce the same result.

Can anyone suggest to me why this is the case and possibly offer some solutions to try and resolve my problems. Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

2

Yes, you can. Read the forum sticky posts, in there it tells you the minimal steps you need to perform to gain those privileges.

my electronics are wired up following the tutorial linked below

Obviously not, right?

3

Loose motor/power connections are the very fastest way to destroy a motor driver. Never, ever change wiring with the power on.

Breadboards cannot be used for stepper motors as the tracks will burn. They are intended for temporary experiments with low power logic circuitry.

Finally, make sure to adjust the current limit on the stepper driver to a value that is safe for the motor and the stepper driver. For that motor, set it to 0.8 Amperes.

4

Thanks for the response, it could be an issue with the breadboard.

Would a breakout board such as this be a suitable replacement as a more permanent solution

5

Sounds like a PCB trace has separated because of overtemp (overcurrent).

6

I use these A4988 breakout boards, and solder the motor and motor power supply leads directly the pads on the board.

7

Thanks for your help, I tried this and it now works :smile:

8

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