AX500 Low Power, 2 x 15A Brushed DC Motor Controller

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Product Description

Roboteq’s AX500 controller is designed to convert commands received from a R/C radio, Analog Joystick, wireless modem, or microcomputer into high voltage and high current output for driving one or two DC motors.

The controller's two channels can either be operated independently or mixed to set the direction and rotation of a vehicle by coordinating the motion on each side of the vehicle. The motors may be operated in open or closed loop speed mode. Using low-cost position sensors, they may also be set to operate as heavy-duty position servos.

The controller can be reprogrammed in the field with the latest features by downloading new operating software from Roboteq.

Technology Information

The AX500 shares the technology and features of all AX-family controllers as described in the Technology page. The AX500 introduces a few changes designed to optimizing cost and functionality

	AX0500	AX0500SC
Power Stage
Operating Voltage	12V to 24V DC
Number of Channels	2	1
Max Current per channel   30s   1min   3 min   1h	15A 10A 8A 7.5A	30A 20A 16A 15A
Surge Current	>30A	>60A
MOSFETs per Channel	4	2 x 4
ON Resistance	100 mOhm	50 mOhm
Current Limiting	By automatic power output reduction according to user preset limit and temperature
Temperature protection	Automated current limit reduction starting at 80o C (175o F) heat sink temperature
Voltage protection	Output shut off below 8V
Power Wiring	Terminal strip. AWG 14 max cable	Terminal Strip used in pairs. 2 x AWG 14 max cable
Command
R/C Inputs	2 + 1 accessories (1.0ms - 1.5ms center - 2ms, Adjustable)
Serial Interface	RS232. 9600 bauds
Analog Interface	2 inputs (0V - 2.5V center - 5V)
Input Corrections	Ch1 & Ch2 mixing for tank steering. Programmable deadband. 4 Exponent & Logarithmic command curves.
Input/Outputs
Optical Encoder Inputs	No
Analog Inputs	4 inputs, 8-bit resolution
Digital Outputs	1 output, 24V 100mA max.
Digital Inputs	3 general purpose inputs
Operating Modes
Open Loop Speed	Forward & Reverse Speed Control. Separate or Mixed
Closed Loop Speed	Use Tachometer on analog inputs & PID	Use Optical Encoder or Analog Tach & PID
Position Mode	Use Potentiometer on analog inputs & PID
Controller Configuration	Jumper-less using PC utility
Physical
Operating Temperature	-40 to +85oC heat sink temperature
Enclosure	Unenclosed, board level
Controller size	4.2" (106mm) wide x 2.9" (50mm) long x 1.5" tall (38mm) tall including heat sink
Supplied Cables	4' (1m) RS232 cable for PC connection. 10" (25cm) RC cable to Radio.
Weight	3 oz (85g)
	AX500	AX500SC

Download

Product Documentation
Document	Description	Version	Date	Size	Get
AX500 Quick Start Manual	Summary product installation and operation manual	1.9b	06/01/07	10 pages - 900K
AX500 Users Manual	Detailed product installation and operation manual - Registration Required	1.9b	06/01/07	180 pages - 2.3M

Operating Software
File	Description	Version	Date	Size	Get
roboenc17-020105	Encoder module Firmware for AX3500/2850 & Encoder Module	1.7	02/01/05	3K
roboup19b-060107	Controller Firmware for AX500/1500/2550/2850/3500	1.9b	06/01/07	10K
roborun-setup19b	PC Utility for all Roboteq Controllers, including Firmware	1.9b	06/01/07	3.4M

Application Notes
Document	Description	Pages & Size	Get
AN1001	Switching RS232 to RC Mode on-the-fly	2 pages - 320K
AN70417	Gravity Alignment of an X-Y platform	2 pages - 501K