Thread: stepper motor use.

The AC power supply is supplying the pulses (at 50 Hz) and the capacitor is supplying a delayed pulse (at 50 Hz) which causes the motor to step at 50 Hz. The voltage would be a function of what the motor is designed to take. The speed is fixed as the pulses are all at 50 Hz.

Just be careful because once you introduce 230V into the equation any mistake could have serious consequences.

From a technical point of view that video is just total crap. He is simply showing how you can make one move for fun - He is using 50hz or 60hz AC mains frequency for the same weak and basic "for fun" reason. It's not a video on how to actually use a stepper motor. If you want a stepper motor to move nothing more than a piece of wire in a slow circle with virtually no torque then this would be the way to go.

BTW when I'm taking about a slow circle and no torque - I'm comparing that to how the motor would run when driven correctly.

MandJ’s correct. Here’s the simple circuit diagram from the video you linked to. I haven’t tried it (I will tomorrow) but it should allow you to drive the DC stepper motor as a test only, not as a practical application of what you want it for.
FB151820-705A-4F20-AA3E-CFBC54C91DA1.jpg

I'll wait until the controller comes, but I've got to come up with something pretty quick, bad news today bone on bone elbows, only option is replacement as joints are too far gone for any other treatment. And joy oh joy, afterwards no lifting anything heavier than a coffee cup, no repetitive or jerking movements, they only last 5 years at best, only 20% success rate, second replacement not as successful. If I only have buttons to push, my lovely wife can lift stuff for me but I need to get it done whilst I'm still able, not looking forward to spending the rest of my life just watching TV. Sorry, just feeling sorry for myself.

Hi, you're allowed to feed that way, I'm facing something similar so best of luck with the procedure. BTW If you feel like posting the controller you ordered we could look it up and help with getting it going in short order if you need it.

Have you though of just using a simple dc motor with a gearbox? Something like this :

https://www.jaycar.com.au/12v-dc-rev...70rpm/p/YG2732

You would get heaps of torque for the size of the motor and DC motors are pretty easy to control, although you will need some kind of simple electronics, a quick look on ebay and I found this :

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3A-80W-1...EAAOSwRFdZuPWG

About as cheap and easy as I can think of to do what you want.

Cheers.

Russell.

Been there, done that with larger ,more powerful motors - simply not enough power.

Sorry for the crude video (not to Kuffy's standard - shot with my iphone) but as promised I had a play with a DC stepper motor at work.
As the blurb states, the stepper motor is an Idle Speed control stepper motor from a VS Commodore. This is normally driven by a digital controller within the vehicle PCM. There is a gear set at the front and the pintle is threaded. As the stepper motor armature turns, the pintle will extend or retract to control the opening of the air bypass passage therefore controlling the idle speed.
The wiring will cause the armature to turn and extend the pintle. There is a spring so when the thread reaches the end, the pintle launches itself across the workshop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBCq4x9kP-w

Wiring diagram is as follows.

IMG_1074.jpg

That looks as simple as you can get, just what I'm after! What volts in play here, I don't have an AC supply so I'd have to buy one from Jaycar. Is the power decreased at all by not using DC, controller,etc?

Originally Posted by sacc51

That looks as simple as you can get, just what I'm after! What volts in play here, I don't have an AC supply so I'd have to buy one from Jaycar. Is the power decreased at all by not using DC, controller,etc?

Nice description Lappa.

Looks like 12VAC , Sacc51. Should be easy enough to source.

Ok, off to Jaycar for a 12 volt AC transformer. Is there any loss of power in doing it this way.

Originally Posted by sacc51

I'll wait until the controller comes, but I've got to come up with something pretty quick, bad news today bone on bone elbows, only option is replacement as joints are too far gone for any other treatment. And joy oh joy, afterwards no lifting anything heavier than a coffee cup, no repetitive or jerking movements, they only last 5 years at best, only 20% success rate, second replacement not as successful. If I only have buttons to push, my lovely wife can lift stuff for me but I need to get it done whilst I'm still able, not looking forward to spending the rest of my life just watching TV. Sorry, just feeling sorry for myself.

Sorry to hear about your medical problem Hope they can help you get better....if you happen to be in or near Adelaide then i would love to help you with this project, i have all the hardware you require.....

So, apparently no one knows if power is decreased using an AC supply in lieu of a controller, interesting.

Originally Posted by sacc51

So, apparently no one knows if power is decreased using an AC supply in lieu of a controller, interesting.

Thats because nobody seriously using stepper motors, powers them with AC. They power them with a Pulse Width Modulated DC via a controller. As I said earlier, I only come across them in the Automotive world as Idle speed controls, EGR motors, HVAC blend doors etc. I don’t build with them or design them.
There is heaps of info on the WEB but there is three fifths of five eighths of &@#$ all on using AC to drive them, as it’s not the norm.
From what I have gleaned from the WEB, Stepper motors develop their maximum torque at low rpm. The problem with AC is that you are powering it at 50hz ie. a fixed “pulse width” so you can’t easily control the speed.
For less than $60 you can by an Arduino Board with a L298N driver board and with a little programming you will have full control. BTW - cheaper on Fleabay.

https://tronixlabs.com.au/news/tutor...2a-and-arduino

Stepper control is half way down the page.

Cheers