User Manual

Table Of Contents
Connecting Power and Motors to the Controller
22 Advanced Digital Motor Controller User Manual V2.0, July 8, 2019
Controller Power
The controller uses a flexible power supply scheme that is best described in Figure 1-1.
In this diagram, it can be seen that the power for the Controller’s internal microcomput-
er is separate from this of the motor drivers. The microcomputer circuit is connected to
a DC/DC converter which takes power from either the Power Control input or the VMot
input. A diode circuit that is included in most controller models, is designed to automat-
ically select one power source over the other and lets through the source that has the
highest voltage.
Channel 1 MOSFET Power Stage
Channel 2 MOSFET Power Stage
0Vmin
Vmot
Microcomputer &
MOSFET Drivers
DC/DC
ENABLE
7V min
Vpwr max
0Vmin
Vmot max
Power
Control
&Backup
Vmot
Mot1(-)
Mot2(-)
Mot1(+)
Mot2(+)
Vmot
GND
GND
GND
*
*
included in high v
oltage models only
FIGURE 1-1. Representations of the controllers Internal Power Circuits
When powered via the Power Control input only, the controller will turn On, but motors
will not be able to turn until power is also present on the VMot wires or Tab.
The Power Control input also serves as the Enable signal for the DC/DC converter. When
floating or pulled to above 1V, the DC/DC converter is active and supplies the controller’s
microcomputer and drivers, thus turning it On. When the Power Control input is pulled to
Ground, the DC/DC converter is stopped and the controller is turned Off.
The Power Control input MUST be connected to Ground to turn the Controller Off. For
turning the controller On, even though the Power Control may be left floating, whenever
possible pull it to a 12V or higher voltage to keep the controller logic solidly On. You may
use a separate battery to keep the controller alive as the main Motor battery discharges.
On the high voltage controller that is rated above 60V, a zener diode is inserted between
the VMot supply and the DC/DC converter. This causes a voltage drop that keeps the volt-
age at the converter’s input within its maximum operating range. However, this diode also