ST-Micro VNH2SP30-E motor driver aka "monster shield" as alternative to cytron?

Hardware
1

I know, “never change a running system”. … but innovation cannot proceed without doing so…

In my early trials some years ago I fiddled with this H-Bridge driver.
https://www.st.com/en/automotive-analog-and-power/vnh2sp30-e.html

Looks like it is designed for high volume automotive use.
It looks like doing the same (and a little more) than the Cytron MD13S, albeit on a single case, lower price and better availability. It was known as “arduino monster shield” some years ago, and is still available at aliexpress on single and dual breakout boards.

Some features:

  • 30 A current
  • 41 V abs max (maybe only 16 V recommended?)
  • freewheeling
  • current sensing

The reason I was digging for this thing again was the somewhat awkward freewheeling hacks proposed for the Cytron and difficult availability as time of writing.

At a first glance at the datasheet, interfacing might look as follows (not tested!):

  • all signals have to be shifted to 5 V (3.25 V is min for logical Hi)
  • direction signal has to be supplied inverted to one of I_INA or I_INB
  • freewheeling can be applied to one of I_ENA or I_ENB
  • PWM to PWM

Just considering to go for this one instead of dropping the Cytron MD10C I have now (but where I don’t know how to appy the freewheel hack) and go for VNH2SP30-E.

2

You don’t need to modify the Cytron, just fit a relay triggered by pin 7 on the AIO Ampseal.

Cytron mod is a bodge at the best of times, really no need anymore.

3

agreed.

And in the eyes of some (me including), such is a relay after an H-bridge where the designers “forgot” the enable pin.
And the current signal just fed to some internal LED, not available outside.
A bit like steam-driven braking in a formula one racer…

But let’s not drift off into arguments of tech taste, please :pray:…
What about just try both ways, and let win the better one?

4

The next version of the all in one board will have an integrated motor driver circuit. There will no longer be a need to purchase anything like a cytron separately.

2 Likes
5

Great :+1:
May I hope that issues like freewheeling and current sensing are accounted for in this design?

6

I think the dev team will not forget those as they made all previous versions also. :smile:

7

You can readily buy a Cytron MD13S for the less than 15 euros, a relay cost 5 euros, job done, not sure this is an area that needs much innovation with the NG AIO having an in built motor driver.
And an increasing number of users opting for a neater Keya motor, if electric steering is needed.

But diversity of hardware is good should there be Covid like supply problems in the future, so be good to see you get this alternative motor driver working and documented.

8

Unfortunately this chip VNH2SP30 isn’t available at jlcpcb

9

Luckily they have this newer one. VNH5019A-E
They seem to work in the “IBT2 mode” in AOG terms.

1 Like