User Manual

Table Of Contents
Controller Powering Schemes
Advanced Digital Motor Controller User Manual 25
Connection for Safe Operation with Discharged Batteries (note 1)
The controller will stop functioning when the main battery voltage drops below 7V. To en-
sure motor operation with weak or discharged batteries, connect a second battery to the
Power Control wire/terminal via the SW1 switch. This battery will only power the control-
ler’s internal logic. The motors will continue to be powered by the main battery while the
main battery voltage is higher than the secondary battery voltage.
Use precharge Resistor to prevent switch arcing (note 2)
Insert a 100Ohm, 5W resistor across the SW2 Emergency Switch. This will cause the con-
troller’s internal capacitors to slowly charge and maintain the full battery voltage by the time
the SW2 switch is turned on and thus eliminate damaging arcing to take place inside the
switch. Make sure that the controller is turned Off with the Power Control wire grounded
while the SW2 switch is off. The controller’s capacitors will not charge if the Power Control
wire is left floating and arcing will then occur when the Emergency switch is turned on.
Protection against Damage due to Regeneration (notes 3)
The voltage generated by motors rotating while not powered by the controller can cause
serious damage even if the controller is Off or disconnected.
Use the main SW1 switch on the Power Control wire/terminal to turn Off and keep
Off the controller. In this way the controller cannot be powered up under any un-
wanted circumstances.
Countermeasures should be taken to deal with any regeneration power if the bat-
tery or BMS system does not support energy to return back to it.
Disconnecting the controller from the battery while motors are rotating could lead
to a serious damage. In this case a regeneration brake system is needed.
Connect Case to Earth if connecting AC equipment (note 4)
If building a system which uses rechargeable batteries, it must be assumed that periodi-
cally a user will connect an AC battery charger to the system. Being connected to the AC
main, the charger may accidentally bring AC high voltage to the system’s chassis and to
the controller’s enclosure. A similar danger exists when the controller is powered via a
power supply connected to the mains.
Some controller models in metallic enclosures are supplied with an Earth tab, which per-
mits earthing the metal case. Connect this tab to a wire connected to the Earth while the
charger is plugged in the AC main, or if the controller is powered by an AC power supply
or is being repaired using any other AC equipment (PC, Voltmeter etc.)
Avoid Ground loops when connecting I/O devices (note 5)
When connecting a PC, encoder, switch or actuators on the I/O connector, be very careful
that you do not create a path from the ground pins on the I/O connector and the battery
minus terminal. Should the controller’s main Ground wires (thick black) or terminals
be disconnected while the VMot wires (thick red) or terminals are connected, the high
current would flow from the ground pins, potentially causing serious damage to the
controller and/or your external devices.
Do not connect a wire between the I/O connector ground pins and the battery mi-
nus terminal. Look for hidden connection and eliminate them.
Have a very firm and secure connection of the controller ground wire and the bat-
tery minus terminal.
Do not use connectors or switches on the power ground cables.