DRV8701: Can one driver drive two DC brushed motors at the same time?

Cherry Zhou

Part Number: DRV8701

Hi team,

Is it possible to drive two identical DC brushed motors in parallel with one DRV8701 driver? If not, why? If so, will there be any effect?

Could you help check this case? Thanks.

Best Regards,

Cherry

over 2 years ago

0 Pablo Armet over 2 years ago

TI__Mastermind 37683 points

Hi Cherry,

Can you provide a diagram of the setup? I just want to confirm that I understand your question.

Regards,

Pablo Armet

0 Cherry Zhou over 2 years ago in reply to Pablo Armet

TI__Mastermind 22235 points

Hi Pablo Armet,

Thank you for the support.

Indeed the customer is saying that the output of the 8701 is paralleling two motors, which is equivalent to two motors of the same model receiving the drive voltage at the same time. Is it feasible?

Thanks and regards,

Cherry

0 Pablo Armet over 2 years ago in reply to Cherry Zhou

TI__Mastermind 37683 points

Cherry,

We do not recommend having two motors in parallel at the output of the DRV.

Regards,

Pablo Armet

0 Cherry Zhou over 2 years ago in reply to Pablo Armet

TI__Mastermind 22235 points

Hi Pablo Armet,

Pablo Armet said:
We do not recommend having two motors in parallel at the output of the DRV.

May I know will there be any problem with paralleling two motors?

Thanks and regards,

Cherry

0 Pablo Armet over 2 years ago in reply to Cherry Zhou

TI__Mastermind 37683 points

Cherry,

Are the two motors identical?

Regards,

Pablo Armet

0 Pablo Armet over 2 years ago in reply to Pablo Armet

TI__Mastermind 37683 points

Cherry,

Paralleling two motors is indeed possible but you need to be aware that the motor speed will be the same for both motors since they share the outputs of the driver IC. Also, the total current draw will be the sum of the current draw of both motors. Therefore, the total current needs to be below the OCP threshold to ensure OCP is not triggered during inrush, motor stall, or during steady state. The inrush current from both motors can be high so current regulation during motor startup may be required to limit the inrush current and prevent OCP fault.

Regards,

Pablo Armet

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DRV8701: Can one driver drive two DC brushed motors at the same time?