[rweatherly]

I have unipolar stepper motors (2 Amp, 4.5 Volts, 6 wires) that I need a driver for. I want a kit, and am looking at the HobbyCNC and Xylotex driver kits, which look about the same. Is there an advantage of one over the other, or is there a better choice out there than those two?

Thanks,

Richard

[ger21]

They are basically the same thing.

[pminmo]

ger21, they do have differences even though they use the same driver.

Phil

[ger21]

Phil, could you elaborate a little? I have heard that the HobbyCNC can be a bit noisy, but haven't heard anything about the Xylotex.

[pminmo]

I'd prefer not too, don't want to take sides, the information is in each manufacturers webpage, so I cut and pasted both here:

HobbyCnC:
3 or 4 Axis Unipolar Chopper control. NO "Ballast" resistors required!
Individual OR simultaneous control of 2/4 Phase Stepper Motors.
Accepts 5, 6, or 8 wire stepper motors only.
44VDC maximum input voltage, 12VDC or 24VDC minimum input voltage depends on fan voltage used.
3.0 Amps Maximum per Phase, 500ma (.5A) minimum. Each axis adjustable throughout this range.
1/2,1/4, 1/8, and 1/16 Microstepping .
Step and Direction Control.
3.5" by 6.8" double sided with top silkscreen and thru plated holes PCB.
Power On Reset.
On board voltage regulation for 5-volt logic with 12VDC or 24VDC cooling fan from motor power supply.
On board connections for home and limit switches with 10K pullup resistor provided to each. No need for a separate "break out" board.
Minimum of components to make assembly fast and easy!
Works with Step and Direction software such as DeskNC, TurboCNC, Mach2, etc

Xylotex:
4 Axis Unipolar Drive (uses 5, 6 or 8-wire motors)
Upto 44VDC, and 3A/Phase (34VDC +/- recommend, which is the ouput of a 24VAC rectified/filtered tranformer based supply)
1/16th, 1/8th, 1/4, and 1/2 step modes set with jumpers
Onboard RC filtering with HCT541 line buffering for STEP and DIR lines
All unused I/O ported to Screw terminals. 10K pullup on inputs (if resistor installed)
ENA# (axis disable) with user supplied switch and Diodes furnished with board.
DB25M connector for direct attachement to PC Parallel Port Extension Cable
On board DC-DC converter for logic power AND can be used for 100mA 5V fan (fan not supplied with kit)
Motor current set by potentiomenters
On-board reset circuitry
Heavy 2.5 oz. copper circuit board.
Perfect for HF Mill/Drill retorfits, and many Homebrew projects


The text in red is directly related to the Allegro SLA7062 Stepper drivers each use.
Phil

[DieGuy]

One good thing about either is the ease of finding a transformer that makes sense price wise. Like this 24V 10A one for under $20

http://www.mpja.com/category/Transformers/24V_CT_(12-0-12)10A_TRANSFORMER_7846_TR.asp

[rweatherly]

Do you need a capacator with the transformer?

[rweatherly]

FYI's to others that might be interested, I rec'd this via PM:

The Xylotex has input filters, the Hobbycnc doesn't. That is a plus in two methods. One the input filters by nature isolate the SLA7062 (motor driver)from the PC. That will give the user more protection if that part were to fail. two reduces the susecptibility to noise. i.e. incorrect steps.

The sender indicated that he had no affiliation with either company.

Richard

[ger21]

Do you need a capacator with the transformer?

You need a capacitor and a bridge rectifier. HobbyCNC has a driver kit that includes everything but the transformer. (and case)

Here's some basic info on building a power supply: http://www.campbelldesigns.com/how-t...wer-supply.php

[rweatherly]

Thanks for the power suppy link. Things are starting to make sense.

HobbyCNC does have a package (you suppy transformer and case), but their packages include the stepper motors, which I already have.

[pminmo]

Basic schematic

http://pminmo.com/simpleps.htm

Phil