[Motor Shield] Can I drive (2) 1.7A/phase steppers by piggybacking (3) L293Ds (total of 6 chips)?

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metrogdor22
 
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[Motor Shield] Can I drive (2) 1.7A/phase steppers by piggybacking (3) L293Ds (total of 6 chips)?

Post by metrogdor22 »

I need to drive 2 of these bipolar stepper motors (3v, 1.7A/phase):
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10846

If piggybacking 2 L293Ds yields 1.2A/phase, 2.4A total (per motor), then would piggybacking 3 yield 1.8A/phase, 3.6A total (per motor)? Assume proper heat-sinking.

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Re: [Motor Shield] Can I drive (2) 1.7A/phase steppers by piggybacking (3) L293Ds (total of 6 chips)?

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

There are diminishing returns when stacking chips due to several factors - including heat dissipation. You might be better off with 2 SN754410s and a heat-sink. See the "I need more power!" section of this post: http://forums.adafruit.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=26873
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metrogdor22
 
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Re: [Motor Shield] Can I drive (2) 1.7A/phase steppers by piggybacking (3) L293Ds (total of 6 chips)?

Post by metrogdor22 »

Thanks! I will try that, and will update this post with the results. Also, I couldn't find the heatsink on Aavid's website, so I found it on Digikey for anyone else interested:
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/e ... -ND/228497

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