Hi,

Only had time for a quick look. But from what I can see on your diagrams in post 1. The back EMF diodes are not correctly fitted and seem to be connected differently to the prototype board. The diodes should go across the coil contacts with the 'band' connected to the +ive coil side.

Quote Originally Posted by Kirk Fraser View Post
This seems reasonable since the PWM outputs are analog signals and driving the IRL530's with a solid digital on could act like a short, allowing coil current to build and eventually blow things up. This could explain the blown chips with the global commands.
The Pulse Width Modulator outputs are digital. The on and off time is variable and is what you adjust within the program. The amount of high back EMF that PWM will generate on this circuit will wreck havoc with the PIC. Move the diodes and test the circuit by replacing the coils with small lamps .

Also good pratice to fit 1k resistors to the gate connections from the PIC as directly connecting the PIC to the FETs can cause a 'lock on'.

Bob.