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IndustryArena Forum > CNC Electronics > Stepper Motors / Drives > Rookie question: How to make a stepper motor run using only a battery ?
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    15

    Rookie question: How to make a stepper motor run using only a battery ?

    Hi,

    I have a 6 wire 1.8deg/step Sanyo Denki DC stepper motor with the current and voltage ratings as follows:

    rated voltage : 5.4v rated current : 1.5A

    The problem is Im a rookie with this stepper stuff and purchased this motor from a scrap market...So there is no documentation available and now i wish to check whether the motor is in working condition....

    Can anyone help out here...Is it possible to check whether the motors are in running state or not using only a battery(say 3V) ?
    If not what am i supposed to do ?
    Thx

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    3319
    You can not run a stepper with a battery. You need to commutate the field coils and that requires a "driver card" or IC of some kind.

    What to do?

    Research the subject of stepper motor driver's a bit more on this website or via Google.

    You might also look up L297 and L298 IC's as these are elementary stepper driver IC's. They'll at least get you started....

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    24223
    Actually for test purposes you can rig up a single battery and four switches and provide the logic switching in order to step the motor, you may require a resistor in series with the centre tap of each set of coils to limit the current, depending on what battery voltage you use to limit the current in your case to 1.5amps.
    You can sequence the switches in the right order and get rotation.
    I can post the sequence if you cannot find it.
    Al.
    CNC, Mechatronics Integration and Custom Machine Design

    “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
    Albert E.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    124
    will be interesting to implement step up dc-dc converter where converter's feedback is taken directly from chopper's current sense resistor.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Posts
    314
    can you then create a 4 lobe camshaft over the switches, and rotate the motor by cranking the cam? Id love to see a picture of that. Hey maybe you could power the cam WITH the motor LOL
    Lemon Curry??

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Posts
    204

    please post

    Al
    would you post how to wire in the motor to run from a battery, I would like to know how to do it.
    Dan

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    24223
    The attached file shows four switches to enable half stepping, otherwise you could use two switches that have a NO & NC contact.
    Al.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails stepper.jpg  
    CNC, Mechatronics Integration and Custom Machine Design

    “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
    Albert E.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    169
    connect the 6 wire together and rotate the shaft by hand
    if the shaft get freeze that mean ok


    Sanyo Denki data sheet
    http://www.sanyo-denki.com/Products/...rs/2-phase.htm

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    15
    hey all

    Thx for ur response.... I found something myself the day I posted ....
    And yes as Al the Man said the motor can be tested using a Battery and resistors .
    U can find information related to the topic here

    Further i found a very simple driving circuit too using just IC and the parallel port...
    u can find it here

    But now i have another problem..I have to develop code to generate G codes for (milling/drilling/routing purpose) from an AutoCAD drawing.
    Pls advice where n how to begin ?
    I have started reading about AutoLisp coding...but i have heard abt ObjectARX which suposedly allows coding in C/C++ ...
    I need advice n help in this regard and also information regarding which forum to post in abt this issue..
    Thx again for all the time u all put in to answer my query.
    Take Care
    Bye

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    245
    Give it low voltage AC an the motor will turn at a fixed speed.
    Motion Control Products Ltd
    www.motioncontrolproducts.co.uk

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    24223
    Quote Originally Posted by mcpltd View Post
    Give it low voltage AC an the motor will turn at a fixed speed.
    To use this method I believe you will also need a Capacitor to produce a split phase to run as a synchronous motor on 1 phase.
    Al.
    CNC, Mechatronics Integration and Custom Machine Design

    “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
    Albert E.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    245
    Yes you are right, there is a bit of circuitry needed, but not a lot.
    Quote Originally Posted by Al_The_Man View Post
    To use this method I believe you will also need a Capacitor to produce a split phase to run as a synchronous motor on 1 phase.
    Al.
    Motion Control Products Ltd
    www.motioncontrolproducts.co.uk

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    22
    You mean like this simple schematic.

    http://home.att.net/~wzmicro/1compdrive.html

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    245
    yes thats it

    Quote Originally Posted by Bryanpl View Post
    Motion Control Products Ltd
    www.motioncontrolproducts.co.uk

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    90
    Hi all,

    Another wonderfully simple way is to use a second motor, if available.
    One simply wires them up, matching colour for colour.
    When you turn one motor, the other follows.
    You can spin one unit clockwise or anticlockwise, and the other motor will, almost, perfectly follow the first .

    Alternatively, if you have only one motor, you may selectively short various pairs of wires while turning the shaft.
    As you do this, the motor will exhibit substantial resistance to motion.

    Using this method, it is possible to decide which 2 wires, if the motor has 6 wires, are the commons for a unipolar motor.
    Once these are found, they may be twisted together and attached to a low voltage battery.
    By testing the remaining 4 wires against the other pole of said battery, you will quickly determine the 'firing sequence' of the motor.
    I use this method a lot. Tools required = low voltage source, ammeter.
    Time to decipher the motor's secrets = 2 minutes.
    Ahhh, I love these motors .

    Oh, by the way, they make marvellous power generators



    Here's hoping this helps.

    Best wishes,
    Steve-tee.

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