3 replies to this topic

[vikramr]

Hi Guys, I'm currently just trying to get a stepper motor to simply spin, but can't seem to get any movement but there is a lot of holding torque so I know there is power going to the motor. 

 

How its wired: 

12v power supply going to the Easy Driver (m+/gnd) 

gnd/step/dir on Easy Driver all going to pins in the netduino. 

4 cables from bipolar motor going to Easy Driver

 

I also connected the 3/5v pads so the netduino can control it with 3.3V signals. 

 

The code:

            OutputPort directionPort = new OutputPort(Pins.GPIO_PIN_D5, false);

            OutputPort stepPort = new OutputPort(Pins.GPIO_PIN_D6, false);

 

            directionPort.Write(true);

            while (true)

            {

                stepPort.Write(false);

                stepPort.Write(true);

                Thread.Sleep(1);

            }

 

I'm not sure if I'm missing any connections? 

 

Thanks,

Vikram

[Paul Newton]

Hi Vikram,

 

Welcome to the Forums!

 

I am guessing this is the Easy Driver. Its always good to put a link in.

 

I looked at the Quickstart guide that uses an Arduino, looks like you have done something very similar (apart from the 3.3V mod).

(I was surprised to see the tutorial taking the 12V supply through the Arduino on to the motoro board - lots of current to burn out the tracks!)

 

Looking at the schematic, there are two solder bridge jumpers - one for the 5V/3.3V option "SJ2" and one to use an external supply "SJ1".

It is posible you got the wrong one? If so, the board is still expecting 5V.

 

It might be worth using a shorter sleep in the loop in case the board is micro stepping and it is moving very slowly.

 

Sorry this is not much help - Paul

[vikramr]

Hi Vikram,

 

Welcome to the Forums!

 

I am guessing this is the Easy Driver. Its always good to put a link in.

 

I looked at the Quickstart guide that uses an Arduino, looks like you have done something very similar (apart from the 3.3V mod).

(I was surprised to see the tutorial taking the 12V supply through the Arduino on to the motoro board - lots of current to burn out the tracks!)

 

Looking at the schematic, there are two solder bridge jumpers - one for the 5V/3.3V option "SJ2" and one to use an external supply "SJ1".

It is posible you got the wrong one? If so, the board is still expecting 5V.

 

It might be worth using a shorter sleep in the loop in case the board is micro stepping and it is moving very slowly.

 

Sorry this is not much help - Paul

Hi Paul,

 

    Thanks for the response. The board you linked on sparkfun is the one I'm using. The SJ2 is actually labeled 3/5v so I think I soldered the right one. 

 

Thanks,

Vikram

[Paul Newton]

OK,

 

Back to basics then - you should be able to disonnect the Netduino completely from the driver board, and control the two inputs using switches or flying leads.

 

Vcc and ground are both on JP4.

If you have a multi-meter, first check that Vcc is 3.3V.

 

Connect the direction input to ground (as it does not matter which way it is wired up).

The step input, would be best wired into a change-over toggle switch with the common going to the driver board, and the outer pins going to ground and Vcc. That way the switch will pull the step input up and down. If you don't have a switch, then you can use a flying lead connected to the input, and manully move the other end of the lead between ground and Vcc.

 

With this setup try stepping the input and see if the motor moves.

This will tell us if its a problem with the driver board or a problem with the software/Netduino.

 

Hope this helps - Paul