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Problem with MD10C, 10A DC Motor Controller.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 5:51 am
by Project Zero
Hi,

I'm having problems with one of my 10A DC Motor controllers. I bought six for a small robotics project. All six are wired up, with the DC motor going to "A" and "B" and 12V power going to + and -. When I turn the power on, five of the speed controllers seem good to go. The on LED lights green and they seem to be awaiting commands from the microcomputer (they are not yet hooked up to it). However, the sixth motor controller the "B" LED lights up and the motor spins continuously. There is so little hooked up, I don't know what the problem could be. I have checked and double checked the wiring - the motor goes to A and B, the power goes to plus and minus. That's it. What would be causing the B LED to light up and my motor to spin without stopping, and how can I fix it?

Thanks.

Re: Problem with MD10C, 10A DC Motor Controller.

PostPosted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 3:58 pm
by yonghui
all the jumpers all same on all MD10 boards?
the test buttons is working ?

if all the motor controller working with similar way except the 6th, then mayb can send back for warranty

Re: Problem with MD10C, 10A DC Motor Controller.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 12:44 am
by Momentz
May i have a look at your coding? Thank you

Re: Problem with MD10C, 10A DC Motor Controller.

PostPosted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 4:09 am
by kershawrobotics
Having a similar problem with an MD10C motor controller. Powering up the MD10C without an input signal it functions properly; the test buttons cause the output voltage to go 100% forward and reverse. The input PWM signal (1-2ms at 60 Hz) functions properly; it drives other motor speed controllers (Talon, VEX, servos) forward and reverse.

When the PWM signal is connected to the MD10C both A and B LEDs light up, with A being brighter than B. The output is forward at a reduced speed and the motor hums. The PWM signal is connected to DIR pin and the PWM pin is held at 5 vdc.

What is the problem?

Re: Problem with MD10C, 10A DC Motor Controller.

PostPosted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 8:58 am
by ober
kershawrobotics WROTE:Having a similar problem with an MD10C motor controller. Powering up the MD10C without an input signal it functions properly; the test buttons cause the output voltage to go 100% forward and reverse. The input PWM signal (1-2ms at 60 Hz) functions properly; it drives other motor speed controllers (Talon, VEX, servos) forward and reverse.

When the PWM signal is connected to the MD10C both A and B LEDs light up, with A being brighter than B. The output is forward at a reduced speed and the motor hums. The PWM signal is connected to DIR pin and the PWM pin is held at 5 vdc.

What is the problem?


The locked Anti-phase MD10C using is not for the RC (Radio Control) PWM where the duty cycle swing between 1ms to 2ms only. In your setup, the PWM duty cycle is 1 to 2 ms with 60Hz frequency, period is 16.67ms. And this signal is being the input of direction pin, the driver will drive 1 to 2 ms in one direction and the rest of cycle (16.67ms minus 1 to 2ms) in other direction, that is why you see both LEDs will light ON with one of it is brighter (the brighter indicate it is being drive longer time).

Check out the tutorial here:http://tutorial.cytron.com.my/2013/07/29/controlling-md10c-with-arduino/ should be helpful.

If you need to drive the motor with RC signal, I would recommend MDS40A. It supports quite a lot of operating modes and one of it is RC signal.

Re: Problem with MD10C, 10A DC Motor Controller.

PostPosted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 11:49 am
by kershawrobotics
Thanks.

The PWM signal is generated from a Pololu Maestro Servo Controller. The scaling is 4000-8092. The 8092 may be the maximum output of the Maestro. I have watched the tutorial video and understand the electrical part of the signal. What script changes are needed to generate the correct signal?

Re: Problem with MD10C, 10A DC Motor Controller.

PostPosted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 10:36 pm
by ober
kershawrobotics WROTE:Thanks.

The PWM signal is generated from a Pololu Maestro Servo Controller. The scaling is 4000-8092. The 8092 may be the maximum output of the Maestro. I have watched the tutorial video and understand the electrical part of the signal. What script changes are needed to generate the correct signal?

OK, then my guess is correct. The signal you are putting in is meant for RC type of PWM, which is not the locked anti-phase signal MD10C designed for.

You might want to check the scripting thing with Pololu as we are not familiar with that product.

Re: Problem with MD10C, 10A DC Motor Controller.

PostPosted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 8:45 am
by kershawrobotics
Thanks for the information Ober. The Pololu Maestro Servo Controller only outputs an RC PWM. I now understand the difference between an RC PWM and a true PWM. I switched to an Arduino Nano controller. The programming was reasonably simple, and the output is true PWM. MD10C(s) are performing as expected.

Re: Problem with MD10C, 10A DC Motor Controller.

PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 8:50 am
by ober
Good to see that. Any picture or video to show?

Re: Problem with MD10C, 10A DC Motor Controller.

PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 2018 9:00 pm
by RattyVulcan
Hi, My MD10C REV3 is behaving exactly as kershawrobotics describes. However, I'm using an Arduino UNO for my PWM signal so this shouldn't be an issue?? I've read all the Cytron material etc already without any hint or clue.

My physical set-up and code is exactly as presented here: https://tutorial.cytron.io/2017/03/15/c ... uino-nano/ except I'm using a Arduino UNO and pins 2 (PWM) and 3 (DIR).

Any suggestions?

RV