$3 Stepper Motor & Board
erco
Posts: 20,256
Edit: Price dropped a buck from $4 to $3 in under a month, so I changed the thread's title. See post #21.
Another decent score from Ebay China. I won the auction for $4 (1 cent bid plus $3.99 shipping) at http://www.ebay.com/itm/180912529491?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
or you can "Buy It Now" from the same seller all day long for $5, free ship: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC12V-4-phase-5-wire-Stepper-Motor-ULN2003-Stepper-Motor-Driver-Board-/180909399906?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1f0a5f62
For comparison, another seller's price is $9.50 shipped:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-Gear-Stepper-Motor-28BYJ-48-12V-4-Phase-Reduction-Step-Motor-/251096435139?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a768389c3
I make about 2000 steps per output shaft revolution. The seller claims 64 steps per motor revolution and also 1:64 gear reduction, so something doesn't add up. Good torque, not terribly fast. Good holding torque when off. A tad more backlash than I'd like, but certainly worth experimenting for $4! I'll get another and build a diffdrive bot. Video & simple code follow.
Another decent score from Ebay China. I won the auction for $4 (1 cent bid plus $3.99 shipping) at http://www.ebay.com/itm/180912529491?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
or you can "Buy It Now" from the same seller all day long for $5, free ship: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC12V-4-phase-5-wire-Stepper-Motor-ULN2003-Stepper-Motor-Driver-Board-/180909399906?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1f0a5f62
For comparison, another seller's price is $9.50 shipped:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-Gear-Stepper-Motor-28BYJ-48-12V-4-Phase-Reduction-Step-Motor-/251096435139?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a768389c3
I make about 2000 steps per output shaft revolution. The seller claims 64 steps per motor revolution and also 1:64 gear reduction, so something doesn't add up. Good torque, not terribly fast. Good holding torque when off. A tad more backlash than I'd like, but certainly worth experimenting for $4! I'll get another and build a diffdrive bot. Video & simple code follow.
' {$STAMP BS2} ' {$PBASIC 2.5} 'spins stepper motor about 180 degrees & back 'uses P0-P3 to ULN2003 controller board 'press BoE reset to cycle DIRL=%00001111 B0=1 FOR W1=1 TO 250 OUTL=3 PAUSE B0 OUTL=6 PAUSE B0 OUTL=12 PAUSE B0 OUTL=9 PAUSE B0 NEXT PAUSE 100 FOR W1=1 TO 250 OUTL=9 PAUSE B0 OUTL=12 PAUSE B0 OUTL=6 PAUSE B0 OUTL=3 PAUSE B0 NEXT OUTL=0 END
Comments
What are the In0 to In5 pins for? Also, does the motor power just get grounded to the stepper driver ground?
Hope so! Here's a better Buy It Now for $4.45 just in case: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stepper-Motor-Driver-Board-ULN2003-Arduino-5V-4-phase-5-line-/180910023533?_trksid=p4012.m1374&_trkparms=algo%3DPI.WATCH%26its%3DC%252BS%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D8%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D452068271057189954
It uses 4 uC connections, marked P1.0-P1.3, which I connected to Stamp pins 0-3. There are 3 empty holes on the PCB and thus 3 unused transistors in the ULN2003. The only other connections are to battery +12V and battery & Stamp common ground.
It's not unlike Parallax' own recommended stepper setup, so have a peek at their pdf: http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/motors/Stepper_Motor_27964.pdf
If you have motors and just need a board, here's one for $2.55: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ULN2003-Stepper-Motor-Driver-Board-for-Arduino-AVR-AR-M-/130720634151?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e6f8e9527
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5V-4-phase-Stepper-Motor-Driver-Board-ULN2003-for-Arduino-/251094989608?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a766d7b28
Naturally I need 5V AND 12 versions, just in case.
John Abshier
If you need more help I can reassemble and take a pic.
Don't be fooled by the wire colors in my photo, I used whatever servo connectors I had laying around, which work fine but didn't cooperate color-wise. Most glaring color error is on the battery connection, red=negative, black=positive, white=no connection.
Hmmm. Three Hostess pies or a stepper & board? davejames?
Stepper motor -> 10-15 day gratification
PIES PLEASE!!!
The phrase "teach them patience NOW" is funny. I can see a parent screaming something about "learning patience NOW" to their kid!
I ordered a boat load of these, both 5V and 12V. As you said..."something doesn't add up."
Here's my take.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5V-Stepper-Motor-28BYJ-48-With-Drive-Test-Module-Board-ULN2003-5-Line-4-Phase-/320933811659?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab92555cb
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5V-Stepper-Motor-28BYJ-48-With-Drive-Test-Module-Board-ULN2003-5-Line-4-Phase-/170781372685?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c35cf10d#ht_3617wt_1398
Clearly you've had more time than me lately to follow up.
So, for less than $3 they can sell an item with shipping to the US included? Like I said, something just isn't right.
Now you're using my "Babies"? George Costanza
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stepper-Motor-28BYJ-48-With-Drive-Test-Module-Board-ULN2003-5-Line-4-Phase-5V-/300733004367?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4605157a4f
I got two separate orders delivered in the SAME PACKAGE, after one week. A third order from the same day, has not arrived yet. Definitely something about bulk shipping going on. But I wouldn't say it "isn't right".