Society of Robots - Robot Forum
Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: ben23f on March 28, 2012, 02:34:21 AM
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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...
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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
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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?
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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.