TB6600 drivers run hot in standby

[ArminLinder]

Hi all,

I am currently experimenting with different stepper motor drivers. I was very happy with the CW-5045 units, but unfortunately they are a bit bulky. So I looked for something smaller, and found these drivers:

https://www.ebay.de/itm/273299206258...oaAlWMEALw_wcB

While they drive my steppers quite good, they do in standby unfortunately draw almost 50W of energy (from a 36V regulated power supply, Stepper Motor is a NEMA 23HS22-2804S rated 2.8A), if I leave the ENA pin open. If I pull ENA to ground after a movement, the power draw halves, so "only" 28W contribute to the global warming problem.
The CW-5045 do always remain cool, so they seem to shut themselves almost entirely off when the motor is not moving, I measure about 8W in standby.

28W power draw in standby ... Is this normal behaviour for a TB6600 based design?

Thnx, Armin.

[CitizenOfDreams]

Are the motors completele deenergized (can be rotated freely) when you pull the ENA low?

Is 28W the power consumption of each TB6600, or the total for all three/four of them?

How much power do the drivers draw with the motors disconnected? (Caution: do not disconnect/reconnect motors with the power on.)

[philba]

A hazard of TB6600 drivers is that they are often counterfeit. Does your driver claim 32:1 microstepping? If so, it is likely a fake and probably using a lesser driver chip like the TB67S109AFTG in my tear down. Those chips are only good for about 2/3 of the current that the TB6600 is rated for.