Robot Power Open Source Motor Control 160A, 13-50V

• Robot Power Open Source Motor Control 160A, 13-50V
• Draws robust 160A continuous current, surging over 400A
• Supports 13-50V supply voltage, max battery rating 36V
• Includes cooling fan for efficient heat dissipation
• Adapts for easy microcontroller interfacing
• Allows parallel unit use for >300A capability

The Robot Power Open Source Motor Control 160A, 13-50V is a robust H-bridge circuit specifically engineered for controlling permanent magnet DC motors. Initially designed for robot combat competitions, its features make it suitable for a variety of commercial and industrial motor control applications. This motor controller is capable of driving a wide range of motors and other loads, and it is designed for easy mounting and interfacing with various microcontroller units. Its design allows for straightforward modifications or repairs if necessary.

This motor control unit operates without a heavy heatsink, instead utilizing a cooling fan to efficiently dissipate heat from the MOSFETs. The fan, a standard 80mm square computer cooling fan, can be either 12V or 24V and is mounted directly over the MOSFETs for optimal cooling. The absence of onboard logic for interpreting RC or other commands necessitates an external logic interface to convert command inputs into the PWM signals required to drive the board. This design choice enhances flexibility, allowing the board to be driven by any microcontroller or signal source capable of providing PWM and Enable logic.

A significant advantage of this design is the ability to parallel power units for specialized applications. For instance, two OSMC boards can be used on a single interface channel to control high-powered four-brush motors, effectively doubling the current capacity. This setup allows for a continuous current capability exceeding 300A, with successful stall testing showing no significant heating of the boards. Additionally, this configuration can be adapted to drive slaved pairs of motors, enabling configurations such as 4-wheel or 6-wheel drive robots using a single RC interface channel.

Note: Ensure proper cooling and external logic interfacing to prevent overheating and ensure optimal performance.