Paul & Sabrina's cheap DIY 144v motor controller

[Daox]

Last I heard, the 1000A version was the latest thing in the works.

[MPaulHolmes]

Oh ya it wouldn't be a secret. I would open source that little bugger. The power section isn't anything terribly original. The purpose in life of a SBE capacitor is to be connected to half bridge igbts with copper sheets. Read any datasheet on how to reduce stray inductance in an inverter, and they'll show you 2 copper sheets to connect the igbts with the capacitor.

I would just want to make sure it works before posting things on the wiki. I sometimes get emails about a board on the wiki that I don't even remember making. haha.

One reason I wanted to match the turn on and turn off times so perfectly was so I could just use a current sensor on one of the igbts for torque control of the motor. Maybe I could have a current sensor on each of the 3 igbts, and then if the hardware overcurrent ever trips on any of the 3 (perhaps indicating that one is turning on before the others, and getting excessive current through it), then the end user could tweak the delays until that doesn't happen anymore. Oh no, igbt 1 got too much current. increment igbt 1 turn-on delay by 1 femtosecond LOL. save. done! boom shakalaka. That would add around $52 to the cost (2 current sensors), but for a prototype it wouldn't be bad to make it as bulletproof as possible.

My last project had to precisely and independently control 60 igbts (none were in parallel), so this should be a walk in the park! 3!? lame! haha.

I'll get a bill of materials together and see what everything costs.

[jedsmd]

Paul

I would open source that little bugger.

Thanks for making it open source!

One reason I wanted to match the turn on and turn off times so perfectly was so I could just use a current sensor on one of the igbts for torque control of the motor. Maybe I could have a current sensor on each of the 3 igbts, and then if the hardware overcurrent ever trips on any of the 3...

I like the idea of a current sensor on each leg, It is always good to know whats really going on.

I'll get a bill of materials together and see what everything costs.

[flores]

Paul,

Sounds good.. I'm in.. you know I'll be happy to beta test it and pay for anything.. and am not bothered if it blows up..

[flores]

Originally Posted by Daox

Last I heard, the 1000A version was the latest thing in the works.

It works!! No problems found so far..

[MPaulHolmes]

Originally Posted by flores

Paul,

Sounds good.. I'm in.. you know I'll be happy to beta test it and pay for anything.. and am not bothered if it blows up..

You've always been an awesome beta tester.

I finally got around to reading the datasheet for the 6 igbts I have.
http://www.americas.fujielectric.com...600U2E-060.pdf

By the way, I only have 6, and my plan is to use 3 per controller. So, if I do 3 prototypes, I'm no mathematician, but that's 9. Here are some cheap ones that are from Tesseract, and I know for a fact are new and not bootleg from China:

Box of 6 New Powerex mistubishi CM600DY 12nF IGBT Modules 600V 600A | eBay

I was thinking for prototypes, Duncan, jedsmd, and flores, do you guys want to split the cost of those 4 ways with me? I can't mix the igbts I have with the ones above, as they are different parts, and it would be asking for trouble. It would be around $99 each person (including shipping). Alternatively, we would need to figure out which 2 of the 3 beta testers get the free ones I already have, and which poor sucker gets to buy his own. hahaha. Note: Guy with golf cart, this controller will vaporize the golf cart motor. I don't think it's a good idea. I'm hoping for a peak of maybe 1500-1800 amps. If it actually works, you guys need to promise to take a video of a burnout, even if it has to be on ice or gravel. Ideally, dry cement, but wet pavement would also be acceptable.

[jedsmd]

Paul
I would be happy pay for the three that go into my controller or to split the costs per your plan - works either way for me.
Jerald

[flores]

I'm in.. but why are we splitting by four and not three? You don't get anything..

I will be happy paying for everything.. but maybe the most honest is to draw virtual straws?

Think of a number below 4.. who ever gets it right pays his igbt's..

[flores]

Originally Posted by MPaulHolmes

If it actually works, you guys need to promise to take a video of a burnout, even if it has to be on ice or gravel. Ideally, dry cement, but wet pavement would also be acceptable.

I should try that with the 1000A now.. wait for it.. this weekend..

[flores]

Paul,

Do those IGBT's need a special driver like that VLA501 ?? just wondering..