Stepper motor control with Arduino

[ben23f]

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...

[joe61]

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

[ben23f]

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?

[joe61]

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.