DNO: Reversing, 12V – 36V, 100A.
Price range: £117.00 through £144.00 inc VAT
A popular mid-sized controller with built-in reversing suitable for use in 12V to 36V applications.
DNOs are commonly used in small / mid-sized locos, electric vehicles and industrial applications.
Please scroll down for full controller specification
Motor noise suppression
We strongly recommend fitting motor noise suppression components to each motor in your system to protect the controller. See this quick explanation of what EMC is and why it matters. We have interference suppression packs and a page of advice on how to fit them, and other steps to take to reduce RFI.
Description
The DNO is a popular mid-sized PWM electric motor control with built-in reversing suitable for use in 12V to 36V applications. It is ideal for 5″ locomotives, and has also proved very successful in small industrial motor control projects. DNOs are often used in conjunction with our DMR-203 to provide radio control of large models such as this Panther tank, or robots.
Key features are:
- 12V, 24V, and 36V operation selectable by internal link [default is 24V]. 48V operation is possible, see notes in support tab.
- Built-in heavy duty reversing relays.
- Integral box and heatsink [suitable for most applications].
- Timed over-load trip [controller switches off if high current is sustained].
- Reverse battery protection.
- Gain control to adjust top speed.
- Adjustable acceleration and deceleration ramps.
- Selectable half speed reverse.
- Selectable dual ramp reverse switching for a smooth transition from forward to reverse.
- DNO-005 Peak current 50A. 1 minute current 40A. Continuous current 30A.
- DNO-010 Peak current 100A. 1 minute current 75A. Continuous current 60A.
- Expansion connector for double-heading locomotives.
- Parking brake driver for vehicle applications.
- Regenerative braking.
- Input 4k7 ohm to 20k ohm potentiometer, direct voltage control, or PWM control by Pi or Arduino etc.
- Direct replacement for the VTX range, uses existing wiring.
- 3, 4, and 6 way IDC control connectors are included.
It is possible to add under voltage protection to the DNO [see support tab].
The manual provides full instructions on setting up and operating the controller. The manual is available in PDF format:
Specification
| Model | 5 | 10 |
| Nominal voltage range | 12, 24, 36 selectable by link on board | |
| Minimum / maximum voltage | 12V = 9V – 18V, 24V = 15V – 30V, 36V = 25V – 56V | |
| Motor current A [max] | 50 | 100 |
| Motor current A [1 minute] | 40 | 75 |
| Motor current A [continuous] | 30 [depends on mounting / cooling] | 60 [depends on mounting / cooling] |
| Reversing | Y | |
| Half speed reverse | Link selectable | |
| Regen braking | Y | |
| Gain adjustment | Y | |
| Dimensions [mm] | 170 x 80 x 49 | |
| Weight [g] | 390 | 395 |
| Power connections | 6.3mm push-on blades | |
| Input | 5k to 25k pot, or 3 – 20V for full speed [adjustable via gain] | |
| Reverse polarity protection | Y | |
| Over voltage protection | Y | |
| Under voltage protection | N [but can be added] | |
| Pot fault protection | Y [>25k] | |
| Thermal protection | Trip after ~17 seconds at current limit | |
| Current limit – drive | Y | |
| Current limit – regen | Y | |
| High pot lockout | N | |
| Joystick/Wig-wag input | Via joystick accessory board | |
| Radio Control | Via DMR-203 | |
| Selectable dual ramp reversing | Y | |
| Pre-select reversing | Y | |
| Ramping | Acceleration and deceleration adjustable between 0.1S and 5S | |
| Parking brake | Yes [1A max] | |
| Inhibit function | N | |
| Powerdown state (motor) | shorted | |
| Tacho feedback | Via tacho interface board | |
| Ignition, Electronic | Y | |
| Heatsink | Integral | |
| Double heading | Y | |
| Switching frequency | 20 kHz | |
| Quadrants | 4 | |
Support
The manual provides full instructions on setting up and operating the controller. The manual is available in PDF format:
The manual is designed to be printed double-sided in A4 booklet format. To print the booklet from the PDF on a double-sided printer, select Booklet in the Page Size & Handling section of the print window, and set Orientation to Portrait.
Wiring diagrams and Instructions
Full instructions are included in the manual. Our knowledge base has several alternative wiring schemes.
Troubleshooting
For troubleshooting common to all controllers click here.
We have a video showing how to do basic troubleshooting on the DNO here.
Specific issues you might hit with the DNOs are:
Reversing
As standard the DNO was designed to block transition from ahead to reverse without reducing the throttle to zero. A number of customers asked if it was possible to remove this block so that the behaviour matches that of the VTX, this can be achieved by the addition of a single capacitor as shown in this modification sheet. The change was incorporated in all DNOs from serial number 16300 onwards.
48v operation
The absolute maximum voltage of the DNO is 56V which is the same as a 48V battery that has just been fully charged. Above this voltage the internal protection circuits operate, this means that although the DNO can be used on 48V there may be no regenerative braking available. Also the motor may creep and the speed may not be able to be turned to zero.
Heatsink
Depending on the application some thought should be given to heat dissipation, we have this article that explains the options in more detail
Knowledgebase
We have a number of DNO specific articles in our knowledgebase.
Accessories
You may need some or all of the following
- A throttle mechanism to control the motor speed.
- Switches e.g. for ignition and maybe reverse.
- Control cable to connect the switches and throttle to the controller.
- A power lead set to connect the controller to the battery and motor.
- or
- 6.3 mm crimp connectors for the battery and motor leads.
- Fuses.
- Interfaces e.g. for radio control.
- A relay board to control lights and horns etc.
- A battery meter.
Pictures
