This is an amazing motor driver. It has temperature protector which really works and cut down the current. One of the best thing is that even at high temperature it does not cut the whole current, it will bring down the current. This can be good for the condition where you have to apply force but your motor is stalled for some time.
I have never had any problem using L6203, and honesty it is hard to burn them. To give you an idea, once I connect all pins in opposite order and it did not burnt. The other time I connected the Vs to GND and GND to 36V and it is still working, although it was drawing 3 A. It has even short circuit protector for outputs, which means that even by short circuiting out 1 and 2, nothing bad going to happen. (I have never tried though)
The only thing which I found important is that you can't use Vref as a HIGH for input 1 and input 2. I am not sure why, but I am sure from my real life experience.
You may use Vref for enable but not for inputs.
This is how I use my L6203:
1: Output 2 which is connected to a 15nF cap and one of the wires coming from motor. (the other side cap is connected to boot2)
2: Supply voltage that you want to run motor with it
3: Output 1 which is connected to a 15nF cap and the other wire coming from motor. (the other side cap is connected to boot1)
4: Boot 1. This is connected to the other side of 15nF cap that you have connected to out 1
5: Input 1, just make sure you do not connect Vref as a high for inputs
6: Ground
7: Input 2, just make sure you do not connect Vref as a high for inputs
8: Boot 2. This is connected to the other side of 15nF cap that you have connected to out 2
9: Vref, This is a reference voltage around 12 V. You may use this to apply a high to Enable pin and make the L6203 to always be on.
10: Sense, you can connect this directly to ground, if you don't want to get any feedback from current. If you want to get a feedback from current connect a resistor between this pin and ground. Than read the voltage between this pin and resistor.
11: Enable, by adding high to this pin you will turn on L6203
If you want to get the best out of this component just add a heat sink and a fan, then it works forever with high output current.
This component is much better than L298 and L293. I have used them all and I found L6203 much more reliable, specially if you are going to attend a competitions, you can rely on L6203. I have explode L298 and L293 after using them for long time or drawing high current, but never had any issue with L6203.
If you want to control speed of a motor and its direction, you can simply use one of the inputs as a PWM and connect the other input to any I/O of micro controller which is assigned as output. By changing the value of PWM you will change the speed and by changing the value of I/O from Low to High or High to Low you can change the direction.
I tried to follow your instruction but I always get same voltage out of Boot 1/2 and Out 1/2. Boots are showing voltage around 10V and Outs are showing voltage around 1V. Can you tell me what am I doing wrong here?
ReplyDeleteWhat are your inputs when you get these readings?
DeleteHave you connected the caps between out and boot?
Did you use your Vref as a High input?
These are all I can think of right now.
BTW if you are using prototype board, make sure all your pins are properly connected.
If these did not help, send me the exact connections.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to use a L6203 to control a 12V DC motor, and tried out your design, as well as the designed pointed out in the datasheet, but nothing seems go get the motor running...The problem is that I'm reading approximately the same Voltage at the outputs for both motor wires. Can you please help me?
you can answer me to my e-mail : joaodnc@gmail.com
thank you,
João Cartaxo
Hi João
DeleteThere is one mistake which I made few times and took me long time to figure out. Make sure your pin 1 is the actual pin 1, the shape of l6203 is symmetrical so the chances of making mistake is quite high.
when both input1 and input2 are connected to HIGH, then l6203 will act as a brake for motor. So if you a get the same voltage level on both output1 and output2 then your input1 and input2 are connected to each other.
If you are using a prototyping board make sure that pins are not connected to each other since l6203 does not fit in those boards easily.
If you still have the problem let me know.
Ali
i am having a problem that out1 gives high of 9 volt without enabling the ic and without giving the input. and i measured the output current ans fifty milli amps from it. the boot capacitor is the same for all out as 15nf. how can i rectify the problem
ReplyDeleteI will check and let you know. Nothing comes to my mind at the moment. I think your L2603 is not working properly. Anyway I will check and let you know.
Delete