Motor Hat Low Power

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funcyChaos
 
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Motor Hat Low Power

Post by funcyChaos »

I got this guy
https://www.adafruit.com/product/1438
a while back now, and I got it all setup and turning a nema17, but could barely put up with me touching the motor shaft. It would stop turning and skip steps very easily. I tried several other motors, and also different power supplies including a variable power supply all with the same results.
I waited a while to bring it up, but I mainly want to know if this is expected behavior? I'd like to push this project forward, and I would buy the hat for the rasberry pi instead, but I'm worried I'll run into the same problem.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Motor Hat Low Power

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

a nema17
What kind of NEMA-17? And what power supply are you using to drive it?
"NEMA-17" is a frame size designation. It tells us where to drill the holes for the mounting screws. It does not tell us anything about the electrical characteristics of the motor.

The drivers used in the Motor Hat are simple H-Bridges and do not have active current control. So it is important to make sure that your driver, motor and power supply are all compatible.
https://learn.adafruit.com/all-about-st ... he-stepper

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funcyChaos
 
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Re: Motor Hat Low Power

Post by funcyChaos »

This is the NEMA-17 I am using https://www.adafruit.com/product/324

And a 12v 2a power supply fed to the shield. I also tried feeding power to the arduino

Thank you for the resource, I'm reading through trying to make sure I understand

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Motor Hat Low Power

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

There should not be any compatibility issues with that combination of components. Please post some photos showing how you have everything connected.
Also please post the code that you are using.

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funcyChaos
 
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Re: Motor Hat Low Power

Post by funcyChaos »

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Re: Motor Hat Low Power

Post by funcyChaos »

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Motor Hat Low Power

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

And the code you are using?

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funcyChaos
 
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Re: Motor Hat Low Power

Post by funcyChaos »

Oh Right Sorry
I'm using the adafruit example code for the stepper motor:

Code: Select all

/*
This is a test sketch for the Adafruit assembled Motor Shield for Arduino v2
It won't work with v1.x motor shields! Only for the v2's with built in PWM
control

For use with the Adafruit Motor Shield v2
---->  http://www.adafruit.com/products/1438
*/

#include <Adafruit_MotorShield.h>

// Create the motor shield object with the default I2C address
Adafruit_MotorShield AFMS = Adafruit_MotorShield();
// Or, create it with a different I2C address (say for stacking)
// Adafruit_MotorShield AFMS = Adafruit_MotorShield(0x61);

// Connect a stepper motor with 200 steps per revolution (1.8 degree)
// to motor port #2 (M3 and M4)
Adafruit_StepperMotor *myMotor = AFMS.getStepper(200, 2);


void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);           // set up Serial library at 9600 bps
  while (!Serial);
  Serial.println("Stepper test!");

  if (!AFMS.begin()) {         // create with the default frequency 1.6KHz
  // if (!AFMS.begin(1000)) {  // OR with a different frequency, say 1KHz
    Serial.println("Could not find Motor Shield. Check wiring.");
    while (1);
  }
  Serial.println("Motor Shield found.");

  myMotor->setSpeed(10);  // 10 rpm
}

void loop() {
  Serial.println("Single coil steps");
  myMotor->step(100, FORWARD, SINGLE);
  myMotor->step(100, BACKWARD, SINGLE);

  Serial.println("Double coil steps");
  myMotor->step(100, FORWARD, DOUBLE);
  myMotor->step(100, BACKWARD, DOUBLE);

  Serial.println("Interleave coil steps");
  myMotor->step(100, FORWARD, INTERLEAVE);
  myMotor->step(100, BACKWARD, INTERLEAVE);

  Serial.println("Microstep steps");
  myMotor->step(50, FORWARD, MICROSTEP);
  myMotor->step(50, BACKWARD, MICROSTEP);
}

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Motor Hat Low Power

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

OK. The connections look OK and a 12v 1A supply should be sufficient for that motor. But if you are seeing skipped steps with the standard example code, I'd check the supply to verify that it is delivering a full 12v under load.

The example code goes through all the available stepping modes. SINGLE is the weakest. I only use that when trying to conserve power. DOUBLE is the strongest, but creates the most vibration. INTERLEAVE is often a good compromise.

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funcyChaos
 
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Re: Motor Hat Low Power

Post by funcyChaos »

Sorry for the late response. I tried multiple power supplies thinking that must be the issue including an adjustable supply to make sure the amperage was aplenty.
I'll try a few of the options you mentioned again as well, but I still would assume that even on the weakest setting it could withstand a finger touch.
Will report back asap, thank you for your time

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