Template:DCBLDCMotor DriveMode

From Phidgets Support

The Drive Mode allows you to configure the deceleration of your motor and the amount of current that is available to your motor at any given moment. There are two modes to choose from:

  1. Coast Mode (default behavior)
  2. Forced Mode

Coast Mode

Coast Mode is the default behavior. In this mode, your motor will coast (freewheel) while decelerating. This is similar to the deceleration experienced when releasing the gas pedal in a car.

Other Considerations

Coast mode works by scaling down the Current Limit based on your motor's Velocity.


The table below shows the impact of different Velocity values on the Current Limit for a controller with a minimum Current Limit of 5A.

Drive Mode Velocity (duty cycle) Current Limit (A) Active Current Limit (A)
COAST 1.0 20 20
COAST 0.5 20 10
COAST 0.1 20 5*
COAST -0.5 20 10

*The minimum Current Limit is 5A.

Coast mode will behave the same as forced mode if the current limit is set to the minimum value.

Forced Mode

In Forced Mode your motor will aggressively slow down, often regenerating power in the process.

Other Considerations

When using your Phidget in this mode, you will have full access to your Current Limit.


The table below shows the impact of different Velocity values on the Current Limit for a controller with a minimum Current Limit of 5A.

Drive Mode Velocity (duty cycle) Current Limit (A) Active Current Limit (A)
FORCED 1.0 20 20
FORCED 0.5 20 20
FORCED 0.1 20 20
FORCED -0.5 20 20