motorshield and steppermotor are running hot while doing nothing

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robotnik
 
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motorshield and steppermotor are running hot while doing nothing

Post by robotnik »

hi

i am using your motorshield 1.2 with a bipolar, 200 steps/rev, 10V, 500mA stepper (http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1208)
with your AFMotor stepper test patch the L293D runs hot after a short while - specially with the double mode
but the motor is working fine
what worries me is that the motorshield and stepper motor are running hot while doing nothing !
specially the motor
but i cant hear any actions of the motor so it seems really inactive
i piggybacked the L293D but its still getting hot
both arduino and motor are getting powered by the same 12V 1A psu

thanks for any help

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: motorshield and steppermotor are running hot while doing nothing

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

Stepper motors are 'constant power' devices. They will draw the same amount of current whether moving or standing still because some coils are always energized. If you try to move the shaft when it is powered but still, you will find that it resists movement. That is called "holding torque".

If your application does not require holding torque, you can call "release()" to save power (and reduce heat).

robotnik
 
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Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2011 10:47 pm

Re: motorshield and steppermotor are running hot while doing nothing

Post by robotnik »

thanks. now its ok
are there any dangers about piggybacked L293Ds ?
and is there some code with an implemented stop() function ?

thanks + best wishes

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: motorshield and steppermotor are running hot while doing nothing

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

are there any dangers about piggybacked L293Ds ?
No danger really. Piggybacking beyond 2 levels has diminishing returns - mainly due to heat-dissipation.
is there some code with an implemented stop() function ?
No explicit stop function. The motor stops at the end of the programmed move and holds position until you release it or move again.

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