Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: ben23f on March 28, 2012, 02:34:21 AM

Title: Stepper motor control with Arduino
Post by: ben23f on March 28, 2012, 02:34:21 AM
Hi im new to this forum and only amateur at robotics but super keen. I was just wondering if its possible to connect a stepper motor directly to the Arduino? or will this overdraw the arduino and kill it? This is for a uni project...
Title: Re: Stepper motor control with Arduino
Post by: joe61 on March 28, 2012, 06:33:43 AM
The processor (ATmega328) can only deliver 40mA per pin output, so yes a stepper motor will fry it. You need a separate controller. Check Pololu or Sparkfun for possibilities.

Joe
Title: Re: Stepper motor control with Arduino
Post by: ben23f on March 28, 2012, 10:11:30 PM
Ok thats what i thought. Do you have an example? i looked on the polulu website, whats the difference between a motor controller and a motor driver?
Title: Re: Stepper motor control with Arduino
Post by: joe61 on March 29, 2012, 06:19:15 AM
Their drivers are pretty much breakout boards. The provide access to pins and you write the driver code yourself. The controllers typically have a higher level interface like ttl serial or RC, and it's easier to interface to them.