Yes, you are right it is a huge waste of power, which is probably why most modern drivers use a current chopper.
Could you list a couple, so that I could look into them a bit more?
I have, but used a very different method. I had some low power transistors that I attempted to match and stack. ...
Thank you audioguru... I appreciate the time you are taking to help me along.
Yes, this makes sense to me. But.. to make sure we are on the same page... a stepper coil supplied directly with 6V and 1.5A reacts slower than a stepper plus resistor (or current sink) supplied with more Voltage...
Ok thank you, I will get rid of the zener and add in a regular diode. IIRC... that will give me about 0.65V a peice... so say I use 1.. I need a 0.4 or 0.5 ohm R4. If I use two diodes (3 total now) I have R4 at 0.9 Ohms... and so on.
So any advice on sizing R3 and power rating the...
Alright... lets try this:
Found out my stepper voltage rating... can be safely ignored... the 1.5A is what cant be exceeded. My power source is a 140W ATX.
I have added a constant current source to each coil. If I make D3 a 2V Zener... that means R4 should be ~1.3Ohms ... which will limit...
This is a quick attempt at a diode/transistor based current source. Again... dunno if this is right... but I think my load is in the right place this time. I think I would have to use a PNP for it to be correct on the other schematic.
Hello everyone... it looks like you all have a great forum here!
Brief introduction... I have some basic experience with electronics. My problem is I have been out of it for a number of years, and most of the basic concepts that had to come easy to me, have been forgotten about. A few days...