While it is best to find one that will work with the motors and logic, that is not always possible. The first step is to find a power supply. In1įor this demo, we'll use a small chassis with the included motors and wheels as well as an Arduino Pro Mini. In both cases, the speed is controlled by the PWM input. When they are set to Low/High the motor will run in the opposite direction. When the outputs are set to High/Low your motor will run.

If you are using a different control platform, pay attention. If you are using an Arduino, don't worry about this too much as the library takes care of all of this for you. Now, for a quick overview of how to control each of the channels. One of the two outputs to connect the motor One of the two inputs that determines the direction. This is the voltage to power the chip and talk to the microcontroller (2.7V to 5.5V)Ĭommon Ground for both motor voltage and logic voltage (all GND pins are connected)Īllows the H-bridges to work when high (has a pulldown resistor so it must actively pulled high) This is where you provide power for the motors (2.2V to 13.5V)

If the TB6612FNG does not fit your project's specifications, check out our various other motor driver boards.Įach pin and its function is covered in the table below. This guide covers the TB6612FNG motor driver which has a supply range of 2.5V to 13.5V and is capable of 1.2A continuous current and 3.2A peak current (per channel), so it works pretty well with most of our DC motors. These specs are worth noting depending on your application and how much stress your motor will endure. You may also notice motor drivers often have max continuous current and max peak current listed. If your motor driver can't handle that much current, then it is time to find a new motor driver (or motor). Even if you don't plan on stalling your motor in your project, this is a safe number to use. A motor will pull the maximum current when it is stalled. As a general rule, go straight to the stalled current number for a motor (the current draw present when you are holding the motor still). Your motor driver needs to be capable of driving as much current as your motors will pull. While you can usually run motors a bit above their ratings, it tends to reduce the lifespan of the motor.Ĭurrent draw is the second factor. You will need to spec your motor driver and make sure its current and voltage range are compatible with your motor(s).įirst, you need to make sure your motor driver can handle the rated voltage of your motors. Also, keep in mind there are different motor types (stepper, DC, brushless), so make sure you are looking for the correct type of motor driver. Picking a motor driver for a motor that is not powerful enough isn't helpful. The first step is to figure out what type of motors you are using and to research their specifications. Before we get started, let's talk about how to find a motor driver for your needs.

Fritzing stepper motor m5045