Replace a MC3479P

[Photoman]

Hi All,

I need to find a replacement for a MC3479P bipolar stepper driver.

The 12v supply (30 year old Lambda ) was acting more like an AC supply.  It killed this and a few other ICs.
I was able to salvage one from another board temporarily but I need to find more replacements.

I bought 10 off of eBay and wouldn’t you know it...all 10 are dead as well.  The motor outputs are railed to 12v.
I did get my money back, though id rather have the chips.

The stepper is a neat Haydon Kerk 26000 Linear Stepper Motor.  Rated at 12v 140ma.
Its using full steps.  Phase A output isn't used.  Only the CC/CCW, clock and bias set are used.

I cant find anything that’s pin compatible on digikey.  If anyone has suggestions for a driver that would work in its place?

[fzabkar]

NTE's NTE1857 is claimed to be an equivalent.

http://www.nteinc.com/specs/1800to1899/pdf/nte1857.pdf

This supplier has 1 in stock for $12:

https://www.elliottelectronicsupply.com/integrated-circuit-stepper-motor-driver-vm-12v-typ-16-lead-dip.html

[Photoman]

NTE's NTE1857 is claimed to be an equivalent.

http://www.nteinc.com/specs/1800to1899/pdf/nte1857.pdf

This supplier has 1 in stock for $12:

https://www.elliottelectronicsupply.com/integrated-circuit-stepper-motor-driver-vm-12v-typ-16-lead-dip.html

Thanks!  Ill pick some up, I know I have to replace a number of these.

I still would like to find a modern replacement.  I know it means an adapter board, which is fine considering I cant redesign these boards.

[Ian.M]

Cricklewood Electronics in the UK has stock.
https://www.cricklewoodelectronics.com/MC3479P.html

[edavid]

Unicorn Electronics has some as well:

https://www.unicornelectronics.com/IC/MOTOROLA.html

[Swainster]

A more modern equivalent with similar but not identical functionality i.e. would probably work fine in your particular application, but not all MC3479P application, would be Texas Instruments DRV8846. It's just about small enough to fit on a PDIP sized adapter board.

[Photoman]

A more modern equivalent with similar but not identical functionality i.e. would probably work fine in your particular application, but not all MC3479P application, would be Texas Instruments DRV8846. It's just about small enough to fit on a PDIP sized adapter board.

Thanks!  I was wondering if a DRV8825 could also work?
I can get breakout boards for that on amazon.  I can wire it in easily enough.  The board has nice turned pin sockets.

[Swainster]

Looks like DRV8825 should work fine with a 12V motor supply, however you would need to tie the RST and SLEEP pins to logic high and possibly connect ENBL to your bias/set signal. With those little "step stick" style boards the winding current is controlled by a small on-board trimmer, so you would need to adjust this to match your motor specification (or risk burning out the motor).