VOLT/AMPERA inverter single controler dual IGBT drive

Discussion about components from Ampera/Bolt and the PSA group which owns Opel these days
arber333
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Re: VOLT/AMPERA inverter single controler dual IGBT drive

Post by arber333 »

js1tr3 wrote: Mon May 16, 2022 3:25 am Any advice for troubleshooting the 5V regulator?
I stuck with the 10uH inductor, but based on this load level 20uH might be more appropriate, also it looks like the output capacitance Is way bigger than needed.. the design sheet calls for 22uF.
It seems like your regulator is seeing a brownout event. Which one is that, 5V or 3V3?
Maybe you could try using different values for decoupling caps?

Another thought... some time ago i had a lot of problems with Olimex WiFi module. For some reason it caused 3V3 regulator into brownout.
If you can replace it for another WiFi module it would show the fault... or better yet an equivalent Wemos D1 mini module which is a better alternative and easier to play with.
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Re: VOLT/AMPERA inverter single controler dual IGBT drive

Post by js1tr3 »

Its the 5V.

yup, I swapped to the Wemos D1, way easier to program and more memory! plus I can power it from either the 3.3 or 5V (since it has its own 3.3V regulator), for now I've been powering off the PC usb, to isolate the power draw, but its only 100mA or peak so on the 5V. I guess next step is to try a different 5V regulator.
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Re: VOLT/AMPERA inverter single controler dual IGBT drive

Post by js1tr3 »

To make the temperature sensor in the IGBT module work on Damien's Board Remove R94, and jump a 10K resistor to 5V, the right side of R20 is a convenient spot to pull the power. Now I measure 18C in my basement as opposed to 100C

Image

https://warpedporsche.blogspot.com/2022 ... erter.html
1988 Porsche 911 targa with warp11 motor. Soon to be Tesla SDU.
risaacma
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Re: VOLT/AMPERA inverter single controler dual IGBT drive

Post by risaacma »

Greetings all. Firstly, I'd like to express my gratitude for the wealth of knowledge being shared on this forum. I recently started my journey of attempting the convert a 1950 Chevy Fleetline AND also convert a 68' Karmann Ghia to electric. I recently acquired a Chevy Volt Inverter for a very good price and was pleasantly surprised to discover that there's an openinverter board that offers support (3 options actually). I opted to order a Damien Maguire board, none of which were available on the EVBMW site or anywhere else I could find. I read a different discussion somewhere on this site that mentioned there being a rev.3 of that boatd, but was only able to find V1 on the github repo linked on the wiki. Any suggestions of where I can acquire a the latest revision of the Damien board ? Thanks in advance.

-Thanks
dillzilla11
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Re: VOLT/AMPERA inverter single controler dual IGBT drive

Post by dillzilla11 »

Is there any reason why i can't use this with the volt motors and have hybrid drive? If so then this looks to be a really good hybrid drive solution. i plan on using these for a truck and have hybrid drive to make up for range loss while towing.
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Re: VOLT/AMPERA inverter single controler dual IGBT drive

Post by r1ckyb0nd »

I am looking to start the project of replacing the main board of a volt inverter, is this the latest design of the replacement board?
https://github.com/damienmaguire/Ampera-Volt-Inverter
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Re: VOLT/AMPERA inverter single controler dual IGBT drive

Post by Romale »

Hello everyone. I need help with this inverter.
I'm applying 5 volts to the red and black wires, but the drivers don't receive power, and connecting the inputs to ground doesn't open the channels.
What am I missing to get it working?
IMG20250701163545.jpg
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Re: VOLT/AMPERA inverter single controler dual IGBT drive

Post by arber333 »

Romale wrote: Tue Jul 01, 2025 1:42 pm Hello everyone. I need help with this inverter.
I'm applying 5 volts to the red and black wires, but the drivers don't receive power, and connecting the inputs to ground doesn't open the channels.
What am I missing to get it working?
Volt inverter logic section is powered directly by DC rails. It will start somewhere upwards of 48Vdc. Its power converter is just there on that second board. Those large power transformers are part of it...
So you can simply provide DC and then you can connect the PWM pins AND common GND connection and you are good.
Drivers are turned ON by "Normally closed" signal. So a pull-down signal from inverter brain.
TomDB made a document with good pinout some years back
https://www.diyelectriccar.com/threads/ ... 2/#replies
https://www.diyelectriccar.com/attachme ... df.101753/

I made a simple board to interface with openinverter v2 using DS program.
https://github.com/arber333/Ampera-inve ... -interface

Then i made a Lebowski drive for TWO sides in parallel in DS.
https://github.com/arber333/Lebowski-dual-IGBT-control
You can find also Toms document there as well as some program for a precharge trigger with Pic chip
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Re: VOLT/AMPERA inverter single controler dual IGBT drive

Post by Romale »

Thanks, I didn't think of that. It's a strange solution, but you could use 12 volts for this purpose, like everyone else.
I'm going to use it with a small V3 Joohu board and not use the small steering inverter.
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Re: VOLT/AMPERA inverter single controler dual IGBT drive

Post by arber333 »

Romale wrote: Tue Jul 01, 2025 3:12 pm Thanks, I didn't think of that. It's a strange solution, but you could use 12 volts for this purpose, like everyone else.
I'm going to use it with a small V3 Joohu board and not use the small steering inverter.
You could make my interface board and only connect Openinverter V3 board by wires. It contains all items for full control even interface for DC voltage sensing. I didnt include resolver interface at that time, but you could add it and edit my board.

Also here is a full board for Johannes V2 interface for dual IGBT sections... And this has all interface on one board
https://github.com/arber333/Johannes-co ... IGBT-board
patracy
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Re: VOLT/AMPERA inverter single controler dual IGBT drive

Post by patracy »

Has anyone produced any of these boards or is the only option to get them made by jlcpcb?

Also is this the correct github for it as there seems to have been several variants discussed.
https://github.com/damienmaguire/Ampera-Volt-Inverter

Also I believe there were two mistakes on the PCB if that's the path to take. Were those corrected or need to be corrected from the files on github?

I'm interested in using one of these to drive a Buick generator/motor for a bike project.
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Re: VOLT/AMPERA inverter single controler dual IGBT drive

Post by arber333 »

patracy wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 8:18 pm Has anyone produced any of these boards or is the only option to get them made by jlcpcb?
I made my own version in a bit more robust DIL format. Not denigrating Damiens work i just wasnt so much into SMD at the time.
I drove 2 cars (Leaf motors) with this inverter.
It includes contactor control, precharge timer and 4 throttles (differential for regen).
https://leafdriveblog.wordpress.com/202 ... ski-drive/
https://leafdriveblog.wordpress.com/201 ... ski-board/
I may have some finished boards available. Want me to send you some photos? PM me...

You could use this as a boat throttle linked to two dual hall sensor pots. 4 signals in all.
Then there is option of synchronising both motors to single throttle via some serial bridge. I didnt try it yet...
I am convinced that if you want to drive propellers you wouldnt even need rotor position sensors but would rather drive motors in sensorless.
MrJoshua71
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Re: VOLT/AMPERA inverter single controler dual IGBT drive

Post by MrJoshua71 »

Arber- I would potentially be interested in picking up a board. I'm newly registered so I can't PM.
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Re: VOLT/AMPERA inverter single controler dual IGBT drive

Post by r1ckyb0nd »

MrJoshua71 wrote: Fri Aug 15, 2025 4:06 pm Arber- I would potentially be interested in picking up a board. I'm newly registered so I can't PM.
I would also be interested
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