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Using simple electric motors with BS2 — Parallax Forums

Using simple electric motors with BS2

SRLASRLA Posts: 19
edited 2005-08-16 14:28 in Robotics
How I can use a simple motor (not servo), with Basic Stamp 2?, for example how i do to move in any direction?, Do I need another circuitry?, how i insert the program to move it?. Thanks.

Comments

  • Bruce BatesBruce Bates Posts: 3,045
    edited 2005-08-14 07:26
    SRLA -

    Probably the easiest method of controlling a PM DC motor is with an H-Bridge motor controller. You can search for it on the Internet using Google, or check the links below.

    If you're looking to purchase a motor controller board for small DC PM motors, Parallax has a number of excellent products at the link below, including the Motor Mind B, Motor Mind C, and the Pololu controller:
    http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/products/motorcontrol/motor_control.asp

    H-Bridge links:
    http://www.mcmanis.com/chuck/robotics/tutorial/h-bridge/
    http://www.geocities.com/fet_h_bridge/
    http://www.robotroom.com/HBridge.html
    http://www.dprg.org/tutorials/1998-04a/

    Regards,

    Bruce Bates
  • SRLASRLA Posts: 19
    edited 2005-08-14 16:27
    Thanks so much
    OK, I can control DC motors connecting it with a Motor Mind B, Motor Mind C, or the Pololu controller only. The other series of Parallax controllers that are shown in the link are to control "servos", realy?
  • Bruce BatesBruce Bates Posts: 3,045
    edited 2005-08-14 17:50
    SRLA -

    Each of the motor controllers on that web page above has a brief description which indicates which type of motor it is intended to be used with. Some are for controlling r/c servos, some are for controlling PM DC motors, and others are for controlling various forms of stepper motors.

    Regards,

    Bruce Bates
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2005-08-16 14:28
    If you just want to run a little, tiny 'hobby motor' as a demonstration, the Tilden H-bridge costs almost nothing to build and works very well with the BasicStamp as a Proof of Concept. (it uses 6 transistors - some 2n3906s and 2n3904s)

    The only real problem with these motors are the lack of gears. You see, electric motors really need t0 spin fast in order to run smoothly. On the other hand, robots need to move slowly. Because of this, geared motors are really the best ones for robots [noparse][[/noparse]reduction gears]. The motor runs at thousands of rpms and is happy, the robot runs at tens or hundreds of rpms and is happy too.

    Also, not all DC motors are designed to reverse. The brushes in some are set up for only one direction. While they do seem to work in reverse for a while, their lives are shortened. Good quality, reversible DC gearhead motors are expensive. So, most of us end up using the SERVO motor as it already has the gears and the interface combined.

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    G. Herzog in Taiwan
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