Cheap DC Motor Controller?

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AntRoboteer
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Cheap DC Motor Controller?

Post by AntRoboteer »

Hello all,

I have been looking around for cheap ESCs for a long time and have finally stumbled across this:

http://proto-pic.co.uk/motor-driver-1a-dual-tb6612fng/

Would this be of any use? It states it is controlled by PWM signals and seems to have 3.2A peak stall current so I think it mught be OK.

What do you all think? Thanks! :-)
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peterwaller
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Re: Cheap DC Motor Controller?

Post by peterwaller »

No that is just the dual full bridge motor driver chip I used to use in my speed controllers mounted on a small board.
It needs a microcontroller and regulator to interface it with the reciever and make it into a speed controller suitible for use in a robot.
AntRoboteer
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Re: Cheap DC Motor Controller?

Post by AntRoboteer »

So would something like a Baby Orangutan board be any better as a speed controller? I have seen others that look similar but seem to lack the motor drive chip such as the Adafruit Trinket. Could I possibly combine the Trinket and the motor drive chip posted previously to save some cash or should I spend a bit more on the Baby Orangutan and programmer? I just want to run 2 cheap 30:1 motors on one board either with or without mixing connectd to a standard OrangeRx receiver.

Thanks very much for your help! :-)
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peterwaller
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Re: Cheap DC Motor Controller?

Post by peterwaller »

I haven't used either of those controllers but they would probably do but to be honest the amount of work involved is so large that unless you want to lean more about these things I would go for one of Rory's controllers.
http://robotwars101.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2187
At £30 including receiver and £40 including receiver motors and wheels you will never make one for less using the parts you are considering.
Hogi
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Re: Cheap DC Motor Controller?

Post by Hogi »

yeah, Rory's boards are great!
Daniel Jackson.

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Rapidrory
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Re: Cheap DC Motor Controller?

Post by Rapidrory »

They're £20 for just the speed controller, or can be combined as Pete says.
Rory Mangles - Team Nuts

Robots: Nuts 2 and many more...

NanoTwo Motor Controllers: https://nutsandbots.co.uk/product/nanotwodualesc
AntRoboteer
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Re: Cheap DC Motor Controller?

Post by AntRoboteer »

Thanks for your suggstions; Rory's board does sound quite good. It would also be quite cheap so it may be an option for me.

Rory: Would it be an option for you to bring one to Ant Freeze or AWS 46 so I could buy it off of you there once I have some cash to play with (that is if I get any at Christmas!)? They do sound rather good and I would be quite intersted in getting one to convert one of my robots to gearmotors.

Would I be able to run a 4WD setup with 4 500rpm motors (30:1) each with a stall current of 100mA?

However, my Dad does seem to be intersted in the programming aspect of the Baby Orangutan. Seeing as I need 2 of these speed controllers (to convert 2 servo driven antweights) a Baby Orangutan would be useful in addition to one of the 'Rory Boards' (which is what I shall now call them for simplicity). Do you I be able to program the Baby Orangutan with a cheap eBay programmer like the one in the link below rather than the expensive Pololu one?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-USB-ISP-5 ... 19eea1b423

Thanks for all of your help! :-)
shakesc
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Re: Cheap DC Motor Controller?

Post by shakesc »

I have a Baby orangutan in a bot. Its ok but ended up fitting a voltage regulator as well for the servo so not so ideal
I used a similar programmer for mine
Prefer using Rory's board
I started out with nothing and still have most of it left
Rapidrory
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Re: Cheap DC Motor Controller?

Post by Rapidrory »

Probably not going to make it to AntFreeze, but I'll definitely be at AWS 46. I should have various ones there for sale. Can happily run a 4WD with 30:1 motors; I've got exactly that set up in BullyDozer ATM :)

If you want any more info I've got a data sheet for them: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19oF ... sp=sharing
Rory Mangles - Team Nuts

Robots: Nuts 2 and many more...

NanoTwo Motor Controllers: https://nutsandbots.co.uk/product/nanotwodualesc
AntRoboteer
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Re: Cheap DC Motor Controller?

Post by AntRoboteer »

They look amazing actually, especially for the price. I didn't know they would be so small either which is great - I just don't like the gigantic 2 inch x 1 inch servo boards I'm using currently and imagined that it would be roughly the same size if not bigger! It's a great relief! I shall check it through with my parents but hopefully will be able to purchase one at AWS 46 or earlier. Thanks!
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