Question Cyrtron MD30C regenerative current protection

Hi everyone,

I ordered 3 Cytron MD30C motorcontrollers for the 500W 24V motors on my new 3dof simulator build.
I have 3 Meanwell RSP-1500-24V PSU 63A , but probable only use 1 or 2.

https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...or-flight-and-space-gaming.19571/#post-257438

The reason for choosing these controllers was price. (I got them for 115 euro) compared to sabertooth (275 euro for 2)

My question is protection against regenerative current , and maybe other electrical problems
I only have basic electrical/soldering skills


The cryton manual states:
If Switching Power Supply is being used as power source for MD30C, we recommend parallel it with same voltage battery. This is to absorb the re-gen power from motor. DC brushed motor will become generator when it is slow down and rotate by external force.

-2 equal 12V battries connected in series would give me 24V (24V are not common here)
is it ok to use 2x12v instead of one 24V?
How many Ampera hour (Ah) does it need to be?

-Another option like Sebastian2 on his build thread with modified shunt regulators with trim pods and load resistors for each psu/controller/motor unit. It looks like a lot of wiring and soldering, going this way

-On the sabertooth controller you can only use load resistors is that possible with the cytron MD30C?
This looks like a very simple and inexpensive solution.
- Also see the use of diodes on some builds.

Can anyone help me out on what choosing the best and safe setup.

Thanks

Maybe my question is not clear ?

I want to protect my Cryton MD30C against regenerative current .
I listed the options I found on this forum.

Does anybody use this driver and protect it anyway ?

The problem you raised is quite complicated. I am not an electronics engineer by training, so I will describe how I solved it in my 6DOF. Generally, from what I understand, regenerative current is dangerous for the power supply, not for the controller itself. So I installed a Schottky diode between the power supply and the + power supply of the motor controller board (I use this controller https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/reasonably-priced-100a-motor-controllers.17638/).
The installation has been working for several months without any failures.
The controllers you have chosen support currents up to 30A. My measurements show that the 250W 13A DC motors I use can draw up to 20A at peak times. With your 500W motors, it may be a lot more, so keep that in mind.

Thanks Attyla,

I didn't know the motor controller could handle the regenerative current , but protection is to protect the PSU from shutting down or getting damaged.

I was thinking if you put a diode in front of the PSU , the energie would go into the controller ,
transforming to heat and damaging the controller , or damaging it directly with high/reverse current.

Do you now if polarity changes when regenerative current occurs?

My electronic skills are very basic , but I made a simple drawing of my idea of how to wire things up.

is this a possible setup , the schottky diodes are the part i'm not sure of .
3 of them to a central fuse box ? i have no clue if that would work.

any electronic help will be appreciated.

I got 2 used batteries Varta AGM 12V 95AH for only 50 euro.
So switched to this option for dealing with the regenerative current .

The psu fan is noisy so turning it off when using the rig would be prefered.

With this change new questions arrise.

- Is it save to charge 2 batteries in series with the PSU?
Or should I get a battery charger (maybe a better option anyway).
I have 3 PSU units I have no use for then .

-Can anyone give me advise on the settings on the PSU ?
From the documentation of the battery:
The best working range voltage for the batteries is 12.4 to 12.6Volt. (so 24.8 to 25.2 with the 2 in series)
advised Charging voltage is 28.8V

-Do I need overcharge protection when using the PSU for charging?

-Do I need a fuse between PSU and the batteries?

-What is the best place for the Emergency stop or any other shutdown option ?
I guess in the positive line after the batteries for the terminal block .