Homebuilt ROVs Forum

Does anyone have suggestions for motor controls to be used with arduino? I am using bilge pump motors for the thrusters.

Try using these they have lots of different control options and different amp ratings

http://www.dimensionengineering.com/Sabertooth2X12.htm

i assume you can run two thrusters per controller?

almost any motor controller can be used with an arduino. it all depends on how much work you want to do. the least amount of work would be a motor control shield like this one:


http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/2502

I used a similiar motor controller from that company but it wasn't a shield so I had to make an interface board.

I use these: http://www.robotshop.com/cytron-single- ... ler-2.html 10 Amp motor controller for $14.
The only problem with it is that the boards stop working if the voltage drops below about 10 volts, which can easily happen under load from the motors. Right now I'm just limiting my motors to half power as a work around, which works pretty well. I'll eventually get around to adding another small battery to keep the boards going under full load.

Seawolf wrote:I use these: http://www.robotshop.com/cytron-single- ... ler-2.html 10 Amp motor controller for $14.
The only problem with it is that the boards stop working if the voltage drops below about 10 volts, which can easily happen under load from the motors. Right now I'm just limiting my motors to half power as a work around, which works pretty well. I'll eventually get around to adding another small battery to keep the boards going under full load.

well that is disappointing as it claims to run down to 3v. I had high hopes for this controller.

bummer.

derelicte wrote:
well that is disappointing as it claims to run down to 3v. I had high hopes for this controller.

bummer.

It does have the option to power the boards from a different source. Meaning you could have a small 12V battery run the boards and a large battery/teather to run the motors. i you set it up this way then you can power the motors with anything from 3 to 25 volts (I think, its whatever the data sheet says)

-Seawolf

that is good to know.

however if your voltage is sagging when the motors run, then you either have an source that is unable to meet your current needs or undersized wires.

a proper supply should sag that much.