Motor Driver Electrical Question
- gardenweazel
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Elite Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 192
- Thank you received: 8
02 Nov 2025 16:08 #337716
by gardenweazel
Motor Driver Electrical Question was created by gardenweazel
Hello All,
I am currently driving my stepper motors via DMT556T's with a 48vdc source.
The motors are from Stepper-Online model 23HS45-4204S .
They can handle 4.2A based on the specs provided.
The current settings offered by the DMT556T are as follows:
My question, which Peak Current setting should I be using?
I am currently driving my stepper motors via DMT556T's with a 48vdc source.
The motors are from Stepper-Online model 23HS45-4204S .
They can handle 4.2A based on the specs provided.
The current settings offered by the DMT556T are as follows:
My question, which Peak Current setting should I be using?
Attachments:
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- langdons
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 690
- Thank you received: 71
02 Nov 2025 17:33 #337725
by langdons
Replied by langdons on topic Motor Driver Electrical Question
Your driver is technically too small.
4.2A motor current means 4.2A RMS, or about 6A peak.
Peak current is the RMS current multiplied by √2 (approximately 1.4).
You should set your driver to the highest current (5.6A peak).
Your motor won't be quite as powerful as it could be because the current is a bit too low, though you'll probably be fine.
Also, your driver will be working at its maximum rated current, so it will get quite hot, though you should not encounter any problem.
If you find that your motor is too weak, consider buying these drivers:
www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005291871448.html
4.2A motor current means 4.2A RMS, or about 6A peak.
Peak current is the RMS current multiplied by √2 (approximately 1.4).
You should set your driver to the highest current (5.6A peak).
Your motor won't be quite as powerful as it could be because the current is a bit too low, though you'll probably be fine.
Also, your driver will be working at its maximum rated current, so it will get quite hot, though you should not encounter any problem.
If you find that your motor is too weak, consider buying these drivers:
www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005291871448.html
The following user(s) said Thank You: gardenweazel
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- langdons
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 690
- Thank you received: 71
02 Nov 2025 17:41 - 02 Nov 2025 17:48 #337727
by langdons
Replied by langdons on topic Motor Driver Electrical Question
What is your motor driver?
Is it a genuine Leadshine DM556? (probably not)
Because there is such a vast array of clones of that driver, you should post the link to the exact one you bought.
Also, 48VDC is only 2V away from the driver's maximum voltage of 50VDC, which is not great.
If you can reduce their supply voltage by even a few volts, you should do so to make sure your drivers don't get damaged.
Is it a genuine Leadshine DM556? (probably not)
Because there is such a vast array of clones of that driver, you should post the link to the exact one you bought.
Also, 48VDC is only 2V away from the driver's maximum voltage of 50VDC, which is not great.
If you can reduce their supply voltage by even a few volts, you should do so to make sure your drivers don't get damaged.
Last edit: 02 Nov 2025 17:48 by langdons. Reason: Added notice about potentially risky input voltage; fixed typos.
The following user(s) said Thank You: gardenweazel
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- gardenweazel
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Elite Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 192
- Thank you received: 8
02 Nov 2025 19:57 #337732
by gardenweazel
Replied by gardenweazel on topic Motor Driver Electrical Question
The motors and drivers were part of a kit that included power supply, drivers and Nema 23's that I bought directly from
Stepper Online.
Here's a link to the DM556T drivers which were part of the kit. I could not find the kit online at this time.
On the Stepper Online web site I note the following documentation:Therefore, when setting the current on the stepper motor driver, please try to make the rated current of the motor close to the RMS value of the driver. If the motor needs to work continuously for a long time, you need to pay attention to the temperature rise of the motor. If you feel that the temperature of the motor is too high, you can properly reduce the current.In our experience, we usually match the RMS value on the driver to the rated current of the motor to ensure higher performance. When we feel that the motor is overheating, we match the rated current of the motor to the PEAK value on the driver.Additionally, under short-term working cycle conditions, we recommend using the RMS value, and under long-term working cycle conditions, we recommend using the PEAK value. This document is located here.
Honestly I see no reason why these motors can't be run at 48vdc.
Stepper Online.
Here's a link to the DM556T drivers which were part of the kit. I could not find the kit online at this time.
On the Stepper Online web site I note the following documentation:Therefore, when setting the current on the stepper motor driver, please try to make the rated current of the motor close to the RMS value of the driver. If the motor needs to work continuously for a long time, you need to pay attention to the temperature rise of the motor. If you feel that the temperature of the motor is too high, you can properly reduce the current.In our experience, we usually match the RMS value on the driver to the rated current of the motor to ensure higher performance. When we feel that the motor is overheating, we match the rated current of the motor to the PEAK value on the driver.Additionally, under short-term working cycle conditions, we recommend using the RMS value, and under long-term working cycle conditions, we recommend using the PEAK value. This document is located here.
Honestly I see no reason why these motors can't be run at 48vdc.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- tommylight
-
- Away
- Moderator
-
Less
More
- Posts: 20858
- Thank you received: 7109
02 Nov 2025 21:02 #337735
by tommylight
Replied by tommylight on topic Motor Driver Electrical Question
Set them at 2A and test, see if that is enough for what you need, if not add more in steps and test again.
And while testing, every 10 to 15 minutes do check the motor temperature with your hand, they might get warm and they might get hot and that is ok, as long as you can keep your hand on the motor all is good, and even when it feels it burns like hell, they are still OK, but you might want to lower the current a bit.
And while testing, every 10 to 15 minutes do check the motor temperature with your hand, they might get warm and they might get hot and that is ok, as long as you can keep your hand on the motor all is good, and even when it feels it burns like hell, they are still OK, but you might want to lower the current a bit.
The following user(s) said Thank You: langdons
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- langdons
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 690
- Thank you received: 71
02 Nov 2025 22:29 - 02 Nov 2025 22:33 #337738
by langdons
Replied by langdons on topic Motor Driver Electrical Question
Wow.
I can't believe they sold you undersized drivers in a kit.
Not cool.
Cheapskates.
I can't believe they sold you undersized drivers in a kit.
Not cool.
Cheapskates.
Last edit: 02 Nov 2025 22:33 by langdons.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- langdons
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 690
- Thank you received: 71
02 Nov 2025 22:31 #337739
by langdons
Replied by langdons on topic Motor Driver Electrical Question
There is no 2A setting though, only 1.8A peak or 1.9A RMS.Set them at 2A and test, see if that is enough for what you need, if not add more in steps and test again.
And while testing, every 10 to 15 minutes do check the motor temperature with your hand, they might get warm and they might get hot and that is ok, as long as you can keep your hand on the motor all is good, and even when it feels it burns like hell, they are still OK, but you might want to lower the current a bit.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- unknown
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 727
- Thank you received: 239
03 Nov 2025 01:25 - 03 Nov 2025 01:27 #337742
by unknown
Replied by unknown on topic Motor Driver Electrical Question
Take a deep breath, remain calm and read the stepper motor stuff by gecko
www.geckodrive.com/support/
This one is rather enlightening regard power draw and such
www.geckodrive.com/support/power-supply-basics/
I've had my mill setup for that long, using KL5066 drivers (no longer available) max PSU is 50v and I've been running them for years, 10+, on 48v with no ill affects. I think the motors are set for 4 or maybe 4.5 amp I thought I'd add I've run them on days where its been +35'C outside no idea what it's been in the workshop.....no issues
www.geckodrive.com/support/
This one is rather enlightening regard power draw and such
www.geckodrive.com/support/power-supply-basics/
I've had my mill setup for that long, using KL5066 drivers (no longer available) max PSU is 50v and I've been running them for years, 10+, on 48v with no ill affects. I think the motors are set for 4 or maybe 4.5 amp I thought I'd add I've run them on days where its been +35'C outside no idea what it's been in the workshop.....no issues
Last edit: 03 Nov 2025 01:27 by unknown.
The following user(s) said Thank You: langdons
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Time to create page: 0.095 seconds