MCP266 Dual 60A, 60VDC Advanced Motor Controller

The MCP motor controllers from Basicmicro (formerly Ion Motion Control) can control a pair of brushed DC motors using USB serial, TTL serial, RS-232 serial, CAN bus, RC, or analogue inputs.

712.95

Not currently available

Our Code: SKU-005193

Supplier Link: [BasicMicro MPN:IMC501]


Description

Overview

The MCP series from Basicmicro (formerly Ion Motion Control) are a family of rugged, high-performance motor controllers with scripting support and other advanced features. They can supply brushed DC motors with 30 A, 60 A, or 120 A continuous at voltages from 10 V up to 60 V (depending on the model).



MCP233
(34 V max)

MCP236
(60 V max)


MCP263
(34 V max)

MCP266
(60 V max)


MCP2163
(34 V max)

MCP2166
(60 V max)
Operating voltage: 10 V to 34 V (MCP2x3 versions)
10 V to 60 V (MCP2x6 versions)
Continuous output current
per channel:
30 A 60 A 120 A
Peak output current
per channel:
30 A 60 A 160 A
Size(1): 88 × 72 × 26 mm 115 × 107 × 34 mm 212 × 126 × 50 mm
Weight: 140 g 340 g 1630 g
Price: MCP233: $199.95
MCP236: $219.95
MCP263: $269.95
MCP266: $349.95
MCP2163: $549.95
MCP2166: $649.95

1 Including connectors and mounting flanges.

Each MCP motor controller has a USB interface that acts as a virtual serial (COM) port, allowing it to be controlled directly from a computer, and it features built-in commands for controlling acceleration, deceleration, distance, speed, voltage and current limits, and more. Several other interface modes are supported by the MCP as well: it can be controlled via TTL serial, RS-232 serial, or CAN bus (using the CANopen protocol) for use with an embedded or industrial system; RC hobby servo pulses for use as an RC-controlled electronic speed control (ESC); or analogue voltages for use with potentiometers or analogue joysticks.

The MCP features an internal user scripting system and user-configurable I/O pins that allows it to be used as a standalone controller, eliminating the need for an additional processor in many situations. It can be operated without feedback for open-loop speed control, or it can be used with a variety of feedback types for closed-loop speed or position control. A wide range of closed-loop sensors are supported, including quadrature encoders, analogue encoders, and potentiometers.

The MCP incorporates several protection features including temperature, current, over-voltage, and under-voltage limits. Several user-definable settings such as a maximum current limit and battery voltage limits are provided for more refined control. The controller uses regenerative braking but can be configured with a voltage clamp circuit to limit the regenerative voltage when used with switching power supplies.

Details for item #3588

The MCP266 operates from 10 V to 60 V and can deliver a typical continuous output current of 60 A per channel. It has a USB Type B connector, a female DA-15 connector (sometimes called DB-15) for control and user I/O, and a rectangular “Molex”-style connector for feedback connections. (A mating connector is specified in its datasheet).

MCP266 Dual 60A, 60VDC Advanced Motor Controller, top view.

Logic connectors on a MCP263 or MCP266 motor controller.

Up to 10 digital user inputs are available, 8 of which can be configured as analogue inputs and 7 of which can be configured as PWM inputs. 2 user outputs are available; these are open-drain (they can drive low to sink up to 3 A or be set to high impedance) and are 40 V tolerant.

Key Features

  • Simple bidirectional control of two brushed DC motors
  • 10–34 V or 10–60 V operating supply range, depending on controller model
  • 30 A to 160 A maximum continuous current output, depending on controller model
  • Channel bridging allows control of a single motor with double the current capability
  • Automatic current limiting reduces duty cycle when temperature exceeds 85° C
  • Six communication or control options:
    1. USB serial interface (virtual COM port)
    2. 3.3 V logic-level (TTL) serial interface for direct connection to microcontrollers or other embedded controllers
    3. RS-232 serial interface
    4. CAN bus interface supporting CANopen protocol as master or slave device
    5. Hobby radio control (RC) pulse width interface for direct connection to an RC receiver or RC servo controller
    6. Analogue voltage (0 V to 5 V) interface for direct connection to potentiometers and analogue joysticks
  • Automatic control switching with user-defined priority settings
  • I²C interface accessible by user script
  • Up to 20 user-defined input pins for control, feedback, or scripting, depending on controller model
  • All inputs are 15 V tolerant for interfacing to industrial devices such as PLCs
  • Up to 8 user-defined open-drain output pins (40 V max) for driving auxiliary loads, depending on controller model
  • Multiple feedback options for PID closed-loop control:
    • Speed or position control with quadrature encoders, up to 21 million encoder pulses per second
    • Position control with analogue encoders or potentiometers
    • (Open-loop control with no feedback also available)
  • Programmable with built-in user scripting language
  • Screw terminals for quick connect/disconnect
  • Configurable via USB connection and PC software
  • Regenerative braking
  • Tolerates high-speed direction changes
  • 5 V BEC can power external logic
  • Battery monitoring and under-voltage cutoff protects batteries from over-discharging
  • Fully enclosed for protection
  • Conduction plate for cooling on bottom of enclosure

MCP233 or MCP236 motor controller, bottom view.

MCP263 or MCP266 motor controller, bottom view.

MCP2163 or MCP2166 motor controller, bottom view.

Note: Basicmicro was formerly Ion Motion Control. Basicmicro uses the following product names and numbers for the MCP controllers:

  • “MCP233 Dual 30A, 34VDC Advanced Motor Controller” – Item # IMC502
  • “MCP236 Dual 30A, 60VDC Advanced Motor Controller” – Item # IMC500
  • “MCP263 Dual 60A, 34VDC Advanced Motor Controller” – Item # IMC503
  • “MCP266 Dual 60A, 60VDC Advanced Motor Controller” – Item # IMC501
  • “MCP2163 Dual 160A, 34VDC Advanced Motor Controller” – Item # IMC517
  • “MCP2166 Dual 160A, 60VDC Advanced Motor Controller” – Item # IMC515

Specifications

Dimensions

Size: 4.5″ × 4.2″ × 1.3″1
Weight: 340 g

General specifications

Motor channels: 2
Control interface: USB; TTL serial; RS-232; CAN; RC servo pulses; analogue voltage
Minimum operating voltage: 10 V
Maximum operating voltage: 60 V
Continuous output current per channel: 60 A
Peak output current per channel: 60 A

Notes:

1
Including connectors.

Resources

Recommended links

MCP motor controller user manual
User manual for the MCP advanced brushed DC motor controllers.
RoboClaw Motor Controller resources
Go here to find links to all of the downloadable RoboClaw resources, including datasheets, drivers, source code libraries, and CAD drawings.

Related Products