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High Power Dual H-Bridge

codeeater

May 10, 2013
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Hey!

I am working on a project with multiple motors. Recently I upgraded a motor and forgot to check that my motor control chip could handle the current. It couldn't and it was a bit messy.

I am using the 919D30001 from http://www.mfacomodrills.com/pdfs/919D%20series.pdf this datasheet, so I understand that the motor could draw up to around 3A and therefore I need something to handle 3A.

Previously I was using this (http://www.coolcomponents.co.uk/catalog/bridge-motor-driver-p-934.html) which has identical pins to an L293D but can handle 1A.

Ideally I would like the new Hbridge to fit in the old socket where the chip was, and I definately cannot redo my circuit board due to lack of equipment.

It also needs to be a Dual HBridge as it was running two motors

I heard somewhere that I can just connect 3 1A Hbridges in parallel and that may work?

So as far as I can see my options are:
1. find a 3A DIL dual Hbridge
2. find a non DIL Dual Hbridge and make some kind of breakout board to plug into the old socket
3. Connect three 1A Hbridges in parallel
4. Something else?

Can anyone please suggest a solution (and perhaps an Hbridge) that I could use.

Thanks a lot!
 

KrisBlueNZ

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H-bridge technology has improved since the L293. Modern devices use MOSFETs with relatively low ON-resistance and high current capability. Unfortunately for you, they're not pin-compatible with the L293. Also many of them are surface-mount packages. So I think your option 2 is probably your best bet. It also gives you the option of using two devices.

I did a search for H-bridge devices on Digikey (the category is Integrated Circuits (ICs) > PMIC - Motor and Fan Controllers, Drivers). Since your motor is specified for 15VDC maximum I've included devices that are rated for less than the 36VDC specification of the L293.

Some of these devices don't have the two enable inputs that the L293 has. Does your design need them?

These devices are all single H-bridge drivers so you'll need two of them to replace the L293.

Most of them have extra features. Many have current monitoring and various kinds of fault detection. Some have pin-programmable current limit.

Here are the ones I found that looked suitable.

Allegro A4950 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/A4950ELJTR-T/620-1400-1-ND/2626340 USD 3.08
3.5A single full-bridge in SO-8 package! No enable/disable input.

TI DRV8840 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/DRV8840PWP/296-28916-5-ND/2676776 USD 6.80
TI DRV8842 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/DRV8842PWP/296-28917-5-ND/2676777 USD 6.80
3.5A single full-bridge in 28-pin SMT package with heatsinking pad. More than you need but looks like a nice IC.

TI LMD18200 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/LMD18200T/NOPB/LMD18200T/NOPB-ND/148219 USD 16.04
TI LMD18201 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/LMD18201T/NOPB/LMD18201T/NOPB-ND/148220 USD 15.25
3A single full-bridge in 11-pin "TO-220-style" package. Designed for PWM and uses a bootstrap capacitor for the MOSFET gate supply; if your application doesn't use PWM then you'll have to provide that supply rail externally.

TI LMD18245 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/LMD18245T/NOPB/LMD18245T/NOPB-ND/202355 USD 18.12
3A single full-bridge in 15-pin "TO-220-style" package. Appears to have an internal charge pump.

Freescale MC33886 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/MC33886PVW/MC33886PVW-ND/2817276 USD 6.05
5A single full-bridge in 20-pin SMT package. MOSFET ON-resistance typically 0.12 ohms. Seems very well-suited to your application, provided that you can deal with an SMT device.

Freescale MC33887 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/MC33887APVW/MC33887APVW-ND/2817278 USD 5.38
5A single full-bridge in various packages, all SMT. MOSFET typical ON-resistance 0.12 ohms.

Freescale MC33926 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/MC33926PNB/MC33926PNB-ND/2185655 USD 3.71
Similar to MC33887 but designed for automotive throttle control. May still be suitable.

STMicro L6201 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/L6201PSTR/497-3641-2-ND/677568 USD 5.54
STMicro L6203 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/L6203/497-1421-5-ND/585942 USD 9.53
Single full-bridge. Current rating is not clear; pulsed current rating is 5A provided junction temperature is kept within limits. Looks like a good match for the L293. Requires external bootstrap capacitor; if you're not running PWM control, you will need to provide an external positive supply for the high-side MOSFET gate voltage. Available in several packages including 11-pin through-hole.

Infineon TLE5205-2 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/TLE5205-2/TLE5205-2IN-ND/1283074 USD 6.89
Infineon TLE5206-2 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/TLE5206-2/TLE5206-2IN-ND/1283078 USD 6.89
5A Single full-bridge available in 7-pin TO-220-style package. Looks pretty nice.

In several cases there are several part numbers that appear to have the same specifications and behaviour. Obviously there is _some_ difference between them, but it was not obvious to me from a quick look at the data sheets. I suggest you download all of those data sheets and have a good look through them to decide what device(s) will be suitable.
 
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codeeater

May 10, 2013
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May 10, 2013
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Thanks for the reply!

While looking through your suggestions I came across this: L298N. It's a Dual Hbridge, so it looks like it may be cheaper overall.

It looks pretty suitable, I don't intend to use the sense pins and the enable pins are just connected straight to 5v.

My only concern is: "TOTAL DC CURRENT UP TO 4 A". Just to confirm that should mean it can take a continuous 4A?

Thanks alot for your reply!
 

KrisBlueNZ

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That looks good. It has bipolar transistor outputs so it will dissipate more power than a MOSFET outputs, but that's not a biggie. It's rated for 2A continuous output per H-bridge, so 4A continuous total. I didn't find it in my search because I limited it to 3A output or more.
 

codeeater

May 10, 2013
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Ah, I didn't realise it was 2A per channel. I may need to get a different one then. I think my motor can require up to 2.85A :/

[edit] I think I may use two LMD18200's... I use PWM anyway, but I think I can use it without PWM can't I? Simply connecting the PWM pin to +5V would act like a 100% duty cycle and cause it to go full speed. Or am I wrong? [/edit]
 
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KrisBlueNZ

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SORRY for the slow reply! I must have missed your question.

No, with the LMD18200 you need to use PWM because the output stages need to be switching on and off regularly to pump the charge pump that provides the gate bias for the top MOSFET. That also means you need to keep your PWM range between, say, 1% and 99%.
 
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