Knowledgebase
Dimension Engineering > Help Desk > Knowledgebase

Search help:


What to do with regenerative current while driver is un-powered but the motors are turned

Solution

Sometimes you will want to move your robot or vehicle while it is unpowered. The current generated when the motors spin could have the potential to harm the Sabertooth or SyRen motor driver.

To alleviate this, you can build a simple circuit using a switch and diode. The diode should be 40-60V, ~5A. See attached diagram for circuit.

[Battery disconnect switches must be rated for the max current of the particular motor driver you're using. For example, a dual 25A Sabertooth (50A peak rating per channel) requires a 100A switch.]

Attachments:
regen_current_sink.png regen_current_sink.png

 
Was this article helpful? yes / no
Related articles Basic Troubleshooting for Motor Drivers
Do I need a fuse between the battery connection and the Sabertooth/Syren?
Antiparallel diode for Picoswitch
Using 4 pole motors with Sabertooth/SyRen
Use DoubleSwitch to reverse motor direction
Article details
Article ID: 7
Category: Motor Drivers
Date added: 2013-06-13 16:02:19
Views: 3946
Rating (Votes): Article rated 3.5/5.0 (21)

 
« Go back