Controller and power supply for this motor?

Hi all,

This is my first post, and I hope I am in the correct section

First of all, thank you very much for all the help and great ideas you provide to others via this forum. I've been reading you for quite a while and have finally decided to start building my own "rig"

I'm currently looking for the necessary hardware for my 2DOF (shoulder seat mover type) and, following some recommendations on this forum, I have chosen this motor (search "12V DC Geared Motor, Motor with 60:1 ratio Gearbox" on eBay, sold by motion_control_products in UK).
They seem to be quite powerful (23A) and I'm not sure which controller I should go for. I've read a lot about the JRK but can only find a 12A max on Pololu website :/
Otherwise, I was thinking of two motomonsters (one per motor) coupled to one arduino. It looks like a very cheap and also well tested solution here.


Regarding the PSU, I have a server-type PSU capable of delivery 60A. Should I buy another one (one per motor) or do you think it will handle the load correctly?

I'd appreciate your help there (feel free to post links for the controller ), thanks!

Hello,
I use the same motors like you and choosen the Motomonster as driver. I used one for each motor.
You can also use other ones like the Sabbertooth, or Pololu Vnh ones.

https://www.pololu.com/product/1393
These are the JRK used by the people here in forum they have 12A coninous and 30A peak. So should be good with your motors. But if i remember right someone got problems with JRKS and these motors, because they draw much current at startup.

For more infos look at the Faq and scroll down to the bottem. On the left side last entry are arduino compatible motor controllers.

You can use your PSU for both motors. If it's not enough you can upgrade to a second one. But i think this isn't needed.

Thanks for the advises, it's good to know at least that I'm not going to be the only one using this motor Can I ask what is/are the power supply that you have in your setup?

Thanks, and yes I already have one server PSU modified that I have used in the past for other application. I was just wondering if a 60A max PSU will handle the 2x23A correctly...

I'll play safe and go for two PSUs (20€ each on eBay, it's not worth taking any risk). I kind of like the "Arduino + 2 Motomonsters" solution to control the motors...let's go shopping now

I've just read that the MotoMonster 30A is a peak value and that its max constant load is more around 14A... :/ Should I think about 2 motomonsters per motor for my setup (remember, these are 300W motors, so 25A under 12V)?

Thanks for your help.

The JRK is tougher than most people think. Most of us run them at 30 amps continuous all day and they will do 45 amp peaks fine, but thats for a millisecond ish.
Ive run them at 38 amp continous flat out for hours and no problem.

Thanks for the reply @bsft . You talked about the JRK, but I was about to go for the MotoMonster, and looking at numbers (25A for the motors, 14A continuous for the Motomonster) it seems like I'll need two per motor. As you mentioned, experience is often different from theory so I prefer to ask again: will I really need two MM per motor?

Thanks for your patience

Sorry man, I dont know arduino, only JRKS.
Some one who knows ards will answer I am sure

I've also read a lot about people having faulty MM, so I don't want to close the door to JRKs, especially since I would apparently need only one of them per motor

Hello,
I'm not fammilar with JRKS only with MM. I've read a lot about the Jrks and seems to be a good product. Also Pololu offers a great suport. But for me they to expensive

Motomonster has 30A max. But it's a double motor driver. In this forum you find a way to use both outputs of one MM to power one motor to get more Amps. There seem to be many faulty MM around there. I bought mine always from ebay for around 10€ each and never got problems.
So one MM for each motor is enough.

I've you would like to buy 2 new Psus i would recommend you the HP DSP 600 PB. They are very easy to convert. To bridge it i only stick two jumpers in the front and solder two wires on.

I use one Of this Psus and one MM per Motor.

I've added a picture

Thanks for the details @tombo . I've just ordered two PSU initially made for HP Proliant DL360, 700W and well recommended here (20€ each ). I have also ordered the two MM and Arduino. I'll cross my fingers for the MM, the Arduino can always be reused in another project

I'll now wait to receive the first parts (motors mainly) to start building the frame. Will post some photos during the construction


Again, thanks for all the replies and help

I'm reading more and more posts on faulty MM... @bsft , when you mentioned JRK, are you referring to this model: https://www.pololu.com/product/1393 ? This is noted as supporting 12A max and my motors will use twice this (25A)...can you confirm this JRK will handle it?

Otherwise, I have also seen this model: https://www.pololu.com/product/1455 but I'm not sure if anyone has any experience with this one...

Thanks for your help guys

Thanks @noorbeast , I will keep that one as a well validated solution if any problem with the MM (already ordered).

Hello,
for MM you can safely order here.
http://www.ebay.de/itm/291515853127?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I orderd different quantitys at different date. All are arrived in a fully working condition and work untill now.
They are about 10€ per piece.
They came from china. It takes about 3-4 weeks to me in Germany depending on if it get cought by customs.
If the auction ended just search in his shop there will be a new one.


From Pololu there is also another one very simmilar to the MM.
You have to edit the code but they work well.
I just them past in my prototype with other software.
https://www.pololu.com/product/2502
this is the one I have but it get's replaced
https://www.pololu.com/product/2507
shoul dbe working too but i can't confirm since i've not tested the new one.

Thanks @tombo , I already ordered mine on dx.com, so not sure about their quality... I'll save your link just in case I need to replace them