Is it okay to run one motor in a two motor transmission?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by NoodleKnight

More specifically, say I have this two motor transmission, and for some reason (not significant to this topic) I want to only run one motor and not pull out the other -- only running one of the two motors. Is this safe to do? Am I going to melt wires? victors? motors? the robot?

Or what if I didn't enable the back-EMF in the victors, or even put a spike in between the victors and motors, and had that spike set to off? will that make it resonable safe?

Thanks,
-Jonathan

Jonathon,
There is one critical thing to consider, the Victor is still connected to the unused motor. If it is jumpered for "brake" it will provide a dynamic load for the voltage generated as the unused motor is back driven by the transmission. If the Victor is in "coast", the motor will drive back voltage into the output of the Victor. Under most cases this shouldn't be a problem, but it is possible (not probable) that the motor could develop a high enough voltage to take out some power FETs. Do not wire a spike in series with the Victor, although it acts like a relay it is most definitely not.

"drill motors with the back drive prevention pin pulled out."
Ken,
I am assuming you are talking about the roll pins in the drill transmission that locks the output shaft. Thanks for reminding everyone, rookies especially, that these pins should be removed before using the drill transmissions.