this post was submitted on 04 Sep 2025
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I am wiring this up, and I would like to limit the current being drawn from 18v DC/DC converter.

What would be the simplest way of doing this?

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[–] litchralee@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 weeks ago (18 children)

In that case, I would suggest looking at a different motor driver. The driver you've specified doesn't seem to have any provisions to detect a motor stall, which is something that other drivers can potentially do. Ideally, the driver would detect the back EMF from the stall and inform the microcontroller, which would then decide to stop movement.

An external current sensor might work, but that's adding to the part count and might not be as capable as built-in functionality within the motor driver. Plus, fancier motor drivers have some neat features that you could take advantage of as well. I think it would be more prudent to consider a different driver before adding additional parts.

[–] boojumliussnark@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

Ah... Since I am not a smart man, I have already invested too much (for the project) in several of these motor drivers. :-(

[–] litchralee@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Out of curiosity, what is this project?

[–] boojumliussnark@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

It is a networked window opener/closer for my house, all with parts sourced from China, since the commercially available openers are very overpriced IMHO. Which I guess also speaks a lot to the fact that I am a man with more time than money...

[–] litchralee@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

I like it!

I once endeavored to do something similar, but it would have been for opening the blinds in the morning and closing them after sunset.

[–] boojumliussnark@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Thanks. It has been fun, both doing the software, where I feel at home, but also the challenge of trying to do electronics, where I am completely lost :D You can't imagine the amount of DC converters I have burnt out, or my absolute confusion why I couldn't turn a motor on and off using a couple of relays! I must confess I still don't understand, but at least now I know.

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