[blue_steel]

Hey there,

This isn't a serious problem really but I'm just curious as to what's causing this.

I'm using the L297/298 driver with a really small power supply (24V, 0.48 A). Should be getting my actual supply on Monday.

I just wanted to see if I could power my LJ-II steppers even if it's just very slowly.

Long story short it wouldn't drive the motor. As soon as the power is applied it seems to current-limit even before I command any steps.

So my question is what causes the power drain even before any pulses are sent to the stepper? Everything worked fine with a small stepper motor.

Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks

[Al_The_Man]

Easy to tell if it is the power supply, just monitor the voltage, if a linear supply, the voltage would collapse on O.L., on a switching supply it might fold back to zero output.
Even at holding torque ,at zero rpm the current draw is going to be the rated current of the steppers.
Al.

[blue_steel]

Thanks Al the Man,

I guess for some reason I was assuming the motor wouldn't draw any current until steps were commanded from the L297.

I think I need to spend a few more minutes with the datasheet.

Thanks for your help.