I was wondering if anyone could recommend a fairly easy to use BLDC chip?

The tutorial on this site details two.
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/technical-articles/sensorless-brushless-dc-bldc-motor-control/

The DRV10983 which has the internal mosfets that I want and the A4964 which requires external mosfets.

Both require a mcu. I can do that but would like to avoid it for this project. I would like something that does
not require a mcu but also want the mosfets on the chip.

I would like to be able to adjust the speed of the motor through a pot. It looks like the DRV10983 can do that but it seems that option needs to be set via IC2. Unless maybe analog is on by default?


I will be driving a hard drive motor so the output requirements for the chip are (as I imagine) fairly minimal.

Big plus if I can detect the position of the motor. Something that can be feed to a mcu external interrupt.

FYI -The mcu portion of this project is already designed and built without being able to communicate to the BLDC to any great extent. I am looking to replace a cheap BLDC controller I acquired on eBay. The controller is very unreliable.

It is a separated board from the mcu board and I want to design a like for like replacement.

 

The only one I have used outside of a micro is a MC33033.
Max.

 

Hi Spin... I have been using a module Only two input pins Dir and PWM I used Alec's PWM control on ETO to drive it via a pot.

Really worked well.. However! The controller was a 24v 12A and isn't on their site anymore.. BUT!! I have found a decent replacement that I bought for the DCC train system.... Might be too much for what you need... Also I don't know if they are Fets.. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=H-Bridge+43a&ref=nb_sb_noss

 

The only one I have used outside of a micro is a MC33033.
Max.

Just took a real quick look (I should be working )

What are the 6 outputs? What if I have a 3 phase motor?

 

Hi Spin... I have been using a module Only two input pins Dir and PWM I used Alec's PWM control on ETO to drive it via a pot.

Really worked well.. However! The controller was a 24v 12A and isn't on their site anymore.. BUT!! I have found a decent replacement that I bought for the DCC train system.... Might be too much for what you need... Also I don't know if they are Fets.. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=H-Bridge+43a&ref=nb_sb_noss

24V 12A. Sounds like over kill. Those hard drive motors can run on as little as 5V and can't imagine they need anywhere neat an amp.

And I am a little confused. Did you buy a module or build one or both?

I.E. "I used Alec's PWM control on ETO"

 

The only one I have used outside of a micro is a MC33033.
Max.

Other question. Does it have sensorless capability? I.E. BEMF for speed control. The TI chip does not require sensors on the motor. It uses BEMF to determeing postion.

 

AFAIK and have found that it only uses sensor commutation.
The full document Motorola MC33035/D can be downloaded, when it came out, Motorola were offering a free un-populated development board, one of which I picked up at the time.
The six outputs are for a full wave 3ph bridge configuration, for a 3ph motor.
The MC33035 has a couple more options.
Max.

 

24V 12A. Sounds like over kill. Those hard drive motors can run on as little as 5V and can't imagine they need anywhere neat an amp.

And I am a little confused. Did you buy a module or build one or both?

I.E. "I used Alec's PWM control on ETO"

I bought the first, then I built them into the final design.. They use "stitching" to get the current in and out of the fet's.. Pretty good really.
The module was around £35 but it was way cheaper to build my own..

P.S.. I was driving huge spotlights on frigates...

 

Other question. Does it have sensorless capability? I.E. BEMF for speed control. The TI chip does not require sensors on the motor. It uses BEMF to determeing postion.

Ones doing that are out there take your pick - https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=sensorless+BLDC+driver+chip

 

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a fairly easy to use BLDC chip?

The tutorial on this site details two.
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/technical-articles/sensorless-brushless-dc-bldc-motor-control/

The DRV10983 which has the internal mosfets that I want and the A4964 which requires external mosfets.

Both require a mcu. I can do that but would like to avoid it for this project. I would like something that does
not require a mcu but also want the mosfets on the chip.

I would like to be able to adjust the speed of the motor through a pot. It looks like the DRV10983 can do that but it seems that option needs to be set via IC2. Unless maybe analog is on by default?


I will be driving a hard drive motor so the output requirements for the chip are (as I imagine) fairly minimal.

Big plus if I can detect the position of the motor. Something that can be feed to a mcu external interrupt.

FYI -The mcu portion of this project is already designed and built without being able to communicate to the BLDC to any great extent. I am looking to replace a cheap BLDC controller I acquired on eBay. The controller is very unreliable.

It is a separated board from the mcu board and I want to design a like for like replacement.

A lot of the commercial bods seem to favour the Fairchild line - frequently with a dsPIC33F hiding behind it.

 

Ones doing that are out there take your pick - https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=sensorless+BLDC+driver+chip

I can do a search. This isn't a how to connect an LED question or even a how do I program an Arduino question. Something that is easily found in a search.

I asked for something not easily searchable. I asked for a recommendation on relatively unusual type of chip. Personal experience is a huge help in making that selection. In case you haven't noticed it, one of the purposes of this forum is to share personal experience. I could spend hours even days pouring over datasheets trying to determine a good choice or I can ask and hope someone has something useful to offer.

So unless you have a specific recommendation, please keep your searches to yourself.

 

A lot of the commercial bods seem to favour the Fairchild line - frequently with a dsPIC33F hiding behind it.

Yeah I would like to avoid a mcu if I can. And I think I would like to roll my own. Reason? I already have the mounting hardware in place from the old (current) board.
That is assuming I can get the board to that size.

 

Yeah I would like to avoid a mcu if I can. And I think I would like to roll my own. Reason? I already have the mounting hardware in place from the old (current) board.
That is assuming I can get the board to that size.

Most of the Fairchild line are "smart power" devices - but not really smart enough to do all the trick functions on a high end washing machine and juggle various sensors all at the same time.

 

I could spend hours even days pouring over datasheets trying to determine a good choice or I can ask and hope someone has something useful to offer.

And you could also ask what is the best flavor of ice cream. And like that question you will get many different answers. Just look at the threads on what schematic software is best.

In the end it is what you are willing to learn to use.

 

And you could also ask what is the best flavor of ice cream. And like that question you will get many different answers. Just look at the threads on what schematic software is best.

In the end it is what you are willing to learn to use.

Post something useful to this thread or don't post at all.