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UltiBox Servo Motor Voltage / Encoder Compatibility

NEEDS REVIEW ELECTRICAL CAUTION

Summary

The community discussed using small non-MRMC motors on UltiBox outputs. The useful guidance is cautious: newer HV UltiBox units may use up to 48V for pan/tilt/aux outputs, older units may be lower, encoder supply is separate from motor drive voltage, and encoder signal compatibility matters. Stafford said an AB incremental encoder may technically work, but ABZ is more accurate for repeatable zeroing; encoder output should be 5V TTL or converted. Simon recommended checking with MRMC because motor voltage ratings and Ulti amplifier behavior are more complicated than they look.

Symptoms / Questions

  • Operator asks what is the voltage of the focus motors?
  • Operator wants to use a small motor with encoder instead of a focus motor.
  • Operator finds small motors rated for 6V, 9V, 12V, or 24V maximum.
  • Operator is unsure whether UltiBox output pins send 48V strictly or use some lower voltage.
  • Operator confuses 5V encoder supply with motor drive voltage.
  • Operator asks whether a 2-phase encoder is compatible with the UltiBox.
  • Operator wants to use aux outputs for another servo motor such as iris.

Settings Location

Task Location
Motor type / tuning Setups -> Axis Setup -> Tuning / Motor Type
Focus / zoom / iris axis setup Setups -> Axis Setup
UltiBox motor output / pinout UltiBox hardware documentation and MRMC support
Encoder compatibility Motor datasheet and MRMC support

Community Solutions

[NEEDS REVIEW] Confirm HV / Non-HV UltiBox Before Applying Higher Voltage

Stafford stated that newer HV UltiBox units can be powered in the 24V to 48VDC range, while older units may be lower. Check the front panel / model and confirm with MRMC before powering above 24V.

Confidence: 0.68

[CONFIRMED] 5V Is Encoder Supply, Not Motor Drive Voltage

Niko corrected the thread: 5 volts is just for the encoder. Do not treat the encoder supply as the motor drive voltage.

Confidence: 0.78

[LIKELY] Use ABZ 5V TTL Encoder Where Repeatability Matters

Stafford said AB incremental can technically be used, but ABZ is more accurate when zeroing for repeatability. Encoder output should be 5V TTL, or it needs signal conversion.

Confidence: 0.70

[NEEDS REVIEW] Confirm Motor / Amplifier Compatibility With MRMC

Motor rated voltage does not map simply to the UltiBox amplifier output. Simon advised checking with MRMC because the Ulti amplifier type and motor specification matter.

Confidence: 0.74

Evidence

Timestamp User Evidence
2026-04-12 Niko Asked voltage of focus motors and whether UltiBox output pins send 48V or lower.
2026-04-12 Peter Constan-Tatos Explained back EMF, 48V for speed, and advised waiting for MRMC before pushing small motors on higher voltages.
2026-04-12 Niko Clarified he wanted a small motor with encoder; noted 5V is for encoder.
2026-04-12 Julian Hermannsen Identified Faulhaber as inside the focus motor.
2026-04-12 Stafford Explained HV UltiBox voltage range, older unit caution, AB/ABZ encoder guidance, 5V TTL encoder requirement, and Parker motors.
2026-04-12 Simon Wakley Recommended checking with MRMC because motor specs and voltage ratings are more complicated due to the Ulti amplifier type.

WhatsApp Excerpts

  • 2026-04-12 00:27 - Niko: Guys, somebody remember the voltage of the focus motors? (not tilta)
  • 2026-04-12 02:57 - Peter Constan-Tatos: 48V was chosen to increase power and speed to the motors on pan tilt and aux outputs.
  • 2026-04-12 02:57 - Peter Constan-Tatos: A DC servo has back emf which increases with speed and which limits its maximum speed.
  • 2026-04-12 03:30 - Niko: 5 volts is just for the encoder.
  • 2026-04-12 03:50 - Niko: I was looking for a small motor, with encoder. I don't want to use a focus motor.
  • 2026-04-12 03:50 - Niko: Small motors work on 6,9, 12 or 24V maximum.
  • 2026-04-12 03:50 - Niko: the encoder signal from motor to ultibox seems to be a 3 phase encoder (not sure) But the motors I found are 2 phase so maybe will be not the right ones.
  • 2026-04-12 10:52 - Stafford: You can power an ultibox on any voltage 24 to 48VDC input as long as it's a HV type.
  • 2026-04-12 10:52 - Stafford: Encoder wise you can technically use an AB incremental encoder but ABZ is more accurate when zeroing for repeatability.
  • 2026-04-12 10:52 - Stafford: Make sure the encoder is 5V and it should be TTL or you'll need to convert the signal.
  • 2026-04-12 11:49 - Simon Wakley: Motor specs and their rated "Voltage" is a little more complicated than you might think and with the Ulti it has to be more carefully specified due to the type of amplifier. I would suggest checking with MRMC.