Digital Potentiometer and Motor Speed Controller

Question

I'm trying to get a Chinese 20A DC Motor Speed Controller working with a MCP42100 Digital Potentiometer. The analogue potentiometer supplied was 100kOhm. I have programmed my arduino with the following code:

#define DATAOUT     11
#define DATAIN      12       //not used
#define SPICLOCK    13
#define SLAVESELECT 10
#define NOTEON      9
int potValue = 255;
float potInputValue;

void SPIInitialize()
{
  byte clr;
  pinMode(DATAOUT, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(DATAIN, INPUT);
  pinMode(SPICLOCK, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(SLAVESELECT, OUTPUT);

  digitalWrite(SLAVESELECT, HIGH); //disable device

  SPCR = (1 << SPE) | (1 << MSTR);
  clr = SPSR;
  clr = SPDR;
  delay(10);
}

char SPITransfer(volatile char data)
{
  SPDR = data;                    // Start the transmission
  while (!(SPSR & (1 << SPIF)))   // Wait the end of the transmission
  {
  };
  return SPDR;                    // return the received byte
}

//--- MCP42100 code

byte SetPot(int address, int value)
{
  // Slave Select set low to allow commands
  digitalWrite(SLAVESELECT, LOW);

  // 2 byte command
  SPITransfer(0x10 + address);   // 0x10 = 'set pot' command
  SPITransfer(value);            // Value to set pot

  // Release chip, signal end transfer
  digitalWrite(SLAVESELECT, HIGH);
}

//--- Application code

void setup()
{
  SPIInitialize();          // Initialize the SPI interface

  Serial.begin(9600);
  delay(25);
  Serial.println("Type a resistance between 0-100 kOhms above.");
}

void loop()
{
  if (Serial.available() > 0) {
    // read the incoming byte:
    potInputValue = Serial.parseInt();
    float potValue = (potInputValue / 100.0) * 255;
    Serial.print("Value: ");
    Serial.print(potValue);
    Serial.print(", Resistance: ");
    Serial.print(potInputValue);
    Serial.println(" kOhms");
    SetPot(1, potValue);
  }

}

Here is a picture of my setup:

Currently at a resistance of 0 kOhms the motor runs at full speed, as it should do and this is how it reacts with the analogue potentiometer. At a resistance of 100 kOhms, the motor (in this case a computer fan) still has enough juice to spin, until I stop it with my finger, but then it doesn't spin without a little push. With the analogue potentiometer, at 100 kOhms the motor received no juice to spin.

Here is a link to the speed controller: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301366805277?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The speed controller appears to use a 555 timer.

What am I doing wrong with the digital potentiometer to make it so it doesn't behave the same way as the analogue potentiometer?

Answer 1

The MCP42100 does not appear to be an appropriate digital pot for this application.

Without a schematic of the motor controller it is hard to tell, but a good guess would be that the digital pot is seeing voltages higher than the supply voltage you are feeding it, and higher than the maximum supply voltage of the digital pot (5.5V; 7.0V abs max). I don't see a voltage regulator on the motor controller board, nor would one be necessary for a low-end design. Probably just a PWM using a 555, as you say.

To make this work you probably need a different type of digital pot - one that can accept logic level inputs and has a higher supply voltage (12V + some margin). You also typically actually have to feed it the higher supply voltage (and be careful that nothing shorts and ruins the micro board).

Otherwise the input protection networks on the digital pot conducts more current than you would expect.

Answer 2

If you look at the MCP42100 data sheet http://www.microchip.com/, on page 4 you will see the details for your unit. Notice that the actual resistance will be in the range of 70k to 130k.

So the reason that you are getting different results is (probably) due to your having a digital pot with a resistance somewhat lower than the physical pot you used.