MobiFlight Community Support

Edit: The stepper function in 7.2.2 is still too high.
Here is a video which shows the problem ....
https://youtu.be/yR3LyVHv0Nc

It is easily found by "Testing" with a large test value in the Config Wizard/Display window, and results in the stepper motor freezing when the acceleration reaches top speed.

I have tested this with several steppers and get the same result.

We need a way to reduce the MAX speed of the stepper function.

Hi,
does it freeze and make strange noices?

When i started with my compass stepper (with ULN2003) i had similar issues like you. My problem was that i had not connected the ground line of my powerunit for the stepper (connected to the ULN) with the ground pin of my arduino mega. May be this could solve your problem too.....
regards
Michael

Thanks Michael,

This was an issue reported in Dec 2016, and addressed in 7.2.1. But the stepper still tries to move too fast and "freezes" at the top of the acceleration curve.

re Ground Lead:
I already have the +5 and GND connected. Is this what you mean?

Hi,

does your stepper worked with ealier MF releases?

I have a separate power unit feeding the little ULN 2003 board coming together with my stepper.
There is another (seperate) power unit connected to my arduino mega.
When I started my first attemps to get the stepper moving, I had not connected the negative pol of the stepper power unit to the
negative (Ground) pin of my arduino. That leads to a strange behaviour of the stepper motor. It started slowly, stopped, made noices, and
began turning a little bit again when reaching the target value. It looks a bit like your description....
After making the a.m. connection everything went fine.

But if you have this electrical connection, there must be another reason and unfortunately I won´t be able to help.

Regards
Michael

Earlier versions have the same issue.

I have tested with several stepper motors, with the same result.

I need to be able to set the maximum speed of the stepper motor.

Dear smooth

Maby there is an issue... But nobody else report this with stepper.....

Please be shure you did correct testing.

1. Be shure you run Mobiflight in Admin Mode and board workes ok ( Not with the issues with firmware since 7.2.1 )
2. Confirm you use ULN2003 Driverboard
3. Check wireing.... Be shure the stepper is correct set in ULN Board....And this is wired to Arduino correct to.
4. Confirm you use +5v and GRD of ONE Arduino for this stepper motor

5. While Testing in Mobiflight NOT run Connector.... Confirm you "stop" Connector. we only wan´t to test the stepper.
6. Create a config ( Offset is uninportant)
7. In Tab please use Sim Stepper for exmaple 1000 / 4096 For Test entry 9999
then push "Test" ( NOT in Top Conector line near Run and Stop button ..... Use the Test Button in Display Tab down below)

Normaly the Motor now should run 10 times clockwise full circles.

Does this work ?

Thanks Pizman,

Here is a video which shows the problem ....
https://youtu.be/yR3LyVHv0Nc

DocMoebiuz said he had seen this issue before.

http://www.mobiflight.de/forum/topic/528.html?page=1

Hi guys,

I had experienced the same problem once or twice. It is specific to the motor.
I will either reduce the max speed or will give the ability to adjust the max speed.

Please stay tuned for an update during the next couple of days.
Viele Grüße,
Sebastian

MobiFlight - Bau dein eigenes Homecockpit für FSX, P3D und X-Plane einfach mit Arduino und FSUIPC

Using the standard stepper example code that comes with the arduino has no problems.

I have checked the wiring and the ULN2003 board and everything looks correct

The stepper works fine if the rotation distance is relatively small (about 90 deg).

Larger distances, and the stepper motor " thrashs" at the top of the acceleration curve and stops momentarily until the deceleration, then the stepper begins moving again.

I have tested several steppers, and another 2560 and they all do the same.

A test entry of 9999 just freezes for longer.

OH ok....

Sorry my friend.... Was in Holliday and clear my brain from all mobiflight stuff for two weeks.... Just Sun, Girls and caribbean Rum
Thanks for link.... Now i remember ! (Just thought this other topic was a servo, not a stepper problem)

Yes so we need Sebastian .... He need to tell you when this will be solved. Hope in one of next releases if posible.

My apology for that.

What a pity that it did not help. I think the only real solution to this issue is a configurable max Speed. I will add it to the todo list and in the meantime will reduce it another time with the next release.