Quote Originally Posted by Philly View Post
Is there a simple way to test the stepper motor?
It depends what's wrong with it, but there's a few things you can try with basic tools to get a limited amount of information:


  • If you've got a multimeter you can check that the resistance of each phase is close to the value specified in the datasheet.
  • Check that there are no short circuits to the housing or between the phases.
  • Try disconnecting it from the driver then short circuiting each phase individually and it should get significantly harder to turn.
  • Try turning the motor not connected to anything and you should be able to just feel the steps, but still quite smooth. Probably best to compare it to one of the other motore assuming they're the same.
  • If you've got a current limited power supply you could set it to the rated phase current and check that the motor draws that current at the right voltage and doesn't breakdown as it heats up or something.


When you try the new ICs, switch it on then monitor the temperature of them. If it gets hot switch off straight away and you'll probably save it...

Best option, as I'm sure you'll have heard by now, is to just get a few of these, or a higher voltage one depending on the motors:
CNC Micro-Stepping Stepper Motor Driver 2M542 Bi-polar 2phase 4.2A Switch | eBay

That's just the first I found, other sellers are available and there may be cheaper ones...