User Manual

MCP Series
Brushed DC Motor Controllers
MCP Series User Manual
32
1.4 DC Power Settings
1.4.1 Automatic Battery Detection on Startup
Auto detect will sample the main battery voltage on power up or after a reset. All Lipo batteries,
depending on cell count will have a minimum and maximum safe voltage range. The attached
battery must be within this acceptable voltage range to be correctly detected. Undercharged or
overcharged batteries will cause false readings and the MCP will not properly protect the battery.
If the automatic battery detection mode is enabled using the on-board buttons, the Stat2 LED
will blink to indicate the battery cell count that was detected. Each blink indicates the number
of LIPO cells detected. When automatic battery detection is used the number of cells detected
should be conrmed on power up.
Undercharged or overcharged batteries can cause an incorrect auto detection
voltage.
1.4.2 Manual Voltage Settings
The minimum and maximum voltage can be set using the Ion Studio application or packet serial
commands. Values can be set to any value between the boards minimum and maximum voltage
limits. This feature can be useful when using a power supply to power the MCP. A minimum
voltage just below the power supply voltage of 2VDC will prevent the power supply voltage
from dipping too low under heavy load. A maximum voltage set to just above the power supply
voltage 2VDC will help protect the power supply from regenerative voltage spikes if an external
voltage clamp circuit is not being used. However when the minimum or maximum voltages are
reached MCP will go into either braking or freewheel mode. This feature will only help to protect
a power supply not correct regenerative voltages issues. A voltage clamping circuit is required to
correct any regenerative voltage issues when a power supply is used as the main power source.
See Voltage Clamping.
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