Maker Drive: Simplifying H-Bridge Motor Driver

Overview

The brushed motor is the most widely used motor because it is easy to use. Just supply the two terminals with DC power, and the motor will start rotating! If you want to control its speed and direction using a controller, usually you will use an L298N Motor Driver. But if you want an easy and beginner-friendly motor driver, you are on the right page! Maker Drive is designed for simplicity and with the beginner in mind!

Features

• Dual-channel, Bi-directional control motor driver
• Supports motor voltage from 2.5V to 9.5VDC
• Maximum current up to 1.0A continuous and 1.5A peak (less than 5 seconds)
• 5V Output (200mA) to power the controller
• Inputs compatible with 1.8V, 3.3V, and 5V logic (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, etc.)
• Solid-state components for faster response time and no mechanical wear
• Regenerative Braking
• Speed control PWM frequency up to 20KHz (Actual output frequency is the same as input frequency)
• Dimensions: 43mm(W) x 35mm(L) x 14mm(H)

The Problem Faced by Beginners in Driving DC Brushed Motors

Maker Drive is designed based on feedback from users, especially first-time users. If you are a beginner or newbie needing a simple motor driver to drive a DC brushed motor for building a mobile robot or other purposes, you might face some of these obstacles:

• Burning your Motor Driver: Many low-cost motor drivers do not come with Reverse Polarity Protection, which might result in smoke if you connect the power incorrectly.
• Too Bulky for Compact Projects: Some motor drivers come with big heat sinks and take up too much space.
• Hard to Test and Troubleshoot: Beginners often face difficulty in testing and troubleshooting the circuit.
• Separate Power for Low Voltage Motor: Many low-cost motor drivers have an onboard 5V linear voltage regulator that will not output 5V if Vin is lower than 7V. This is problematic for small toy motors rated at lower than 7V.

The Solution

Maker Drive is designed to solve these problems while adding some useful features:

• Fool-Proof Design: Enjoy peace of mind with built-in Reverse Polarity Protection at the Vin/Vmotor/Vbat terminal, reducing the risk of damaging the motor driver.
  
• Compact Size: Designed to be compact, roughly the size of a passport photo, measuring 43mm(W) x 35mm(L) x 14mm(H).
  
• Test Buttons: Easily test the motor or mechanism with four manual test buttons (two for each channel), allowing full-speed control in both directions without any controller or coding required.
  
• Indicator LEDs: Four LEDs (two for each channel) provide visual feedback for output voltage direction, aiding in testing and troubleshooting without connecting to a motor or controller.
  
• Buck-Boost Regulator: Generates a stable 5V output from an input voltage as low as 2.5V, allowing you to power your 5V controller with ease.
  
• Regenerative Braking Control: Provides better control over motor speed, enhancing performance in applications such as line following and coast stop.
• Specially Designed for Mobile Robots: Seamlessly integrates with Maker UNO for building small mobile robots, including line following robots.
• Support for Stepper Motor: Capable of driving a stepper motor, providing additional versatility for your projects.
  

Compatibility

Maker Drive is compatible with various Arduino main boards such as:

• Arduino UNO R3
• Arduino Mega 2560
• Arduino Nano
• Arduino Pro Mini

It also accepts 1.8V, 3.3V, and 5V logic (for control) and is compatible with controllers such as Raspberry Pi, micro:bit, BeagleBone, ESP8266, ESP32, etc.

Suitable Motors

To use Maker Drive, you will need suitable DC brushed motors, such as:

• DC Brush motor (Two Terminals)
• Operating voltage from 2.5V to 9.5VDC
• Rated Current ≤ 1.0A
• Peak Current ≤ 1.5A