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I'm trying to understand the difference between two 12V PWM circuits I've build and tried.

The PWM signal is intended to control the speed of a motor. Only not in the way you would expect. The motor has its own circuitry and accepts the PWM signal as a speed control. So its not driving the motor directly.

To make this work I've tried two PWM control circuits:

I got a PIC to generate a PWM signal. I tried both the build-in ECCP module and software PWM. I used the following circuit to convert the PWM from 5V to 12V.

schematic

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

Although this produces a very nice 12V signal the motor doesn't react to it all.

So I tried an old fashion NE555 in astable mode to generate the PWM. NE555 PWM circuit

Schematic from DPRG

This circuit also puts out a nice 12V PWM signal with the same frequency and duty cycle as the PIC circuit. But this signal actually does have effect on the motor.

So my question is: What is the difference between the PWM signals generated by these two circuits/devices? By knowing this, I hope I can change the PIC circuit in such a way that motor reacts to it aswell .

Since I rather control the motor with the PIC, as this will make for a more compact end result.

ADDITIONAL INFO: Both signals when connected to the motor.

PIC signal (without R2), 8.2-11.2V: enter image description here

NE555 signal, varies 0-12.2V for 500ms and 0-1.32v for 780ms: enter image description here

In both cases the PWM frequency and duty cycle remain intact, disregarding the voltages.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ In the first schematic, your output is either high or floating. Add a pull-down resistor to the output and see what effect it has on your PWM fan. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Jun 9, 2014 at 13:25

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What is the purpose of R2 in the first circuit? It's limiting the maximum current to the motor to 12V/220Ω = 54.5mA, which is probably not enough.

Just connect the motor directly to the collector of Q2.

You also need a couple of other changes: put a resistor (e.g., 4700Ω) between the MCU output and the base of Q1; otherwise, the B-E junction of Q1 looks pretty uch like a dead short to ground to the MCU. Similarly, you need a resistor (about 1200Ω) between the collector of Q1 and the base of Q2; without it, when Q1 switches on, it basically shorts the 12V supply to ground via the B-E junction of Q2. 1200Ω limits the base drive to Q2 to about 10mA, which should be plenty.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Thanks for your answer. I will try and remove the resistor, it could be the cause. About the additional resistors you mentioned. If I'm correct the transistors I use (BCR503 & BCR583) have built in resistors that do the job. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Jun 9, 2014 at 14:37
  • \$\begingroup\$ I tried removing R2. The motor still does not respond. If I inspect what happens to the PWM signals when connected to the motor I notice that the "PIC-signal" changes to a 8.2-11.2V signal (Freq and DC remain intact). While the "555-signal" changes in a astable signal going from 0-12.2V for 500ms and then 0-1.32V for 780ms (Freq and DC remain intact). \$\endgroup\$ Commented Jun 9, 2014 at 15:02
  • \$\begingroup\$ OK, I didn't know those two transistors had built-in resistors. You need to show that in your schematic. But that's probably the problem: The 10K resistors in the BCR583 limit the base drive to about 1 mA, which in turn is going to limit the available collector current to about 70-100 mA. In other words, you aren't going to be able to saturate this transistor (Q2) and allow it to deliver the 500 mA it's capable of. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Jun 9, 2014 at 18:56
  • \$\begingroup\$ Yes you're right, I added the build-in resistors in the original schematic ;)! Is it worth trying changing the BCR583 with something like a PMBT2907A and adding a resistor (+-1200Ω) between the collector of Q1 and the base of Q2? \$\endgroup\$ Commented Jun 9, 2014 at 19:26
  • \$\begingroup\$ Tried it, same result... \$\endgroup\$ Commented Jun 10, 2014 at 9:56

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