Motor Controller Support

https://www.superdroidrobots.com/shop/custom.aspx/motor-controllers/60/

What is a Motor Controller?

A motor controller takes a low current low voltage input signal and drives a motor with higher voltages and currents. The input signal can be serial, I2C, RC input, PWM, etc. Listed below are the many types of motor controllers with a brief explanation of each one. For full details of each motor controller go to the item page. Each motor controller item page has supporting links to data sheets, manuals, etc.

How a Motor Controller Works

The output of a motor controller is PWM based, which stands for pulse width modulation. The concept of a PWM signal is to switch the output power on and off really fast in order to reduce the average voltage supplied to the motor in order to precisely control the speed of a motor.

Motor Controller Comparison Table

		Electrical Specs: Voltage and Current				Control Inputs
Motor Controller	Channels	Min Voltage (VDC)	Max Voltage (VDC)	Continuous Current per Motor (A)	Peak Current per Motor (A)	Analog	RC	Serial	Encoders	Closed Loop Speed Control	Size (in x in x in)
Sabertooth 2x5	2	6	18	5	10	Y	Y	Y	N	N	1.8x1.6x0.5
Sabertooth 2x12	2	6	24	12	25	Y	Y	Y	N	N	3.0x2.3x0.7
Sabertooth 2x12 RC	2	6	24	12	25	N	Y	N	N	N	3.0x2.3x0.7
Sabertooth 2x25	2	6	24	25	50	Y	Y	Y	N	N	3.2x2.6x0.8
Sabertooth 2x32	2	6	30	32	64	Y	Y	Y	N	N	3.5x2.75x1.0
Sabertooth 2x60	2	6	30	60	120	Y	Y	Y	N	N	3.5x3.0x1.8
Syren 1x10	1	6	24	10	15	Y	Y	Y	N	N	2.25x1.4x0.6
Syren 1x25	1	6	24	25	45	Y	Y	Y	N	N	2.4x2.3x0.8
Syren 1x50	1	6	30	50	100	Y	Y	Y	N	N	3.5x3.0x1.3
RoboteQ SDC2160 2x20A	2	10	60	10	20	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	2.75x2.75x0.80
RoboteQ MDC2460 2x60A	2	10	60	50	60	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	5.5x5.5x1.0
RoboteQ XDC2460 2x150A	2	10	60	80	150	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	9.0x5.5x1.6
RoboClaw 2x7A	2	6	34	7.5	15	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	1.65x1.9x0.67
RoboClaw 2x15A	2	6	34	15	30	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	2.91x2.05x0.67
RoboClaw 2x30A	2	6	34	30	60	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	2.91x2.05x0.67
RoboClaw 2x60A	2	6	34	60	120	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	3.94x3.38x0.98
RoboClaw Solo 30A	1	6	34	30	60	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	2.36x1.28x0.91

Available Motor Controllers

Below is a grouped listing of various available motor controllers grouped by company.

SuperDroid Robots

PWM Motor Controller 30A 5.5-36V

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 1 Voltage: 5.5-36VDC Current: 30 Amp

Control Inputs: PWM input (a simulated 0-5V output from a microcontroller). Also needs input for direction (INA, INB)

Size: 1.25 x 2.5 in (31.75mm x 63.5mm)

Other Features: ENA and ENB have pull up resistors on them so you do not have to hook up IO to them if you don't wish to use them.

We offer hookup kits for these: PWM to PIC Hookup Kit.

Devantech

Devantech MD22 Dual Channel Speed Controller

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 2 Operating Voltage: 50V Current: 5A continuous*

With added heat sinks it can handle 27 Amps continuous current with a suitable heat-sink and up to 290 Amps in very brief repetitive pulses.

Control Inputs: The MD22 has Multiple methods of control: I2C, servo pulse input, PWM. MD22 has independent and speed + direction operating modes, making it the ideal driver for differential drive (tank style) robots and more.

Size: 4.33 x 2.04 x 0.984 in (110mm x 52mm x 25mm)

Other Features: The MD22 is not equipped with a regulator and requires a separate 5V source.

Dimension Engineering

Sabertooth 2x5

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 2 Voltage: 6-18VDC Current: 5A continuous, 10A peak per channel

Control Inputs: Analog voltage, radio control, serial and packetized serial. Sabertooth has independent and speed + direction operating modes, making it the ideal driver for differential drive (tank style) robots and more.

Size: 1.8 x 1.6 x .5 in (45mm x 40mm x 13mm)

Sabertooth 2x12 RC

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 2 Voltage: 6-24VDC Current: 12A continuous, 25A peak per motor

Control Inputs: Radio control only. Sabertooth has independent and speed + direction operating modes, making it the ideal driver for differential drive (tank style) robots and more.

Size: 2.3 x 3 x .7 in (59mm x 75mm x 17mm)

Other Features: This motor controller has a 1 Amp Switching BEC, which is very useful power the 2.4GHz receivers (that draw about 130mA during sync).

Sabertooth 2x12

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 2 Voltage: 6-24 VDC Current: 12A continuous, 25A peak per motor

Control Inputs: Analog voltage, radio control, serial and packetized serial. Sabertooth has independent and speed + direction operating modes, making it the ideal driver for differential drive (tank style) robots and more.

Size: 2.3 x 3 x .7 in (59mm x 75mm x 17mm)

Other Features: This motor controller has a 1 Amp Switching BEC, which is very useful power the 2.4GHz receivers (that draw about 130mA during sync).

Sabertooth 2x25

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 2 Operating Voltage: 6-24VDC Current: 25A continuous, 50A peak per channel

Control Inputs: Analog voltage, radio control, serial and packetized serial. Sabertooth has independent and speed + direction operating modes, making it the ideal driver for differential drive (tank style) robots and more.

Size: 2.6 x 3.2 x .8 in (65mm x 80mm x 20mm)

Sabertooth 2x32

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 2 Voltage: 6-30V (33.6V max) Current: 32A continuous, 64A peak

Control Inputs: Analog voltage, radio control, serial and packetized serial.

Size: 2.75 x 3.5 x 1.0 in (70mm x 90mm x 25mm)

Other Features: Multiple operating modes configurable via an on board DIP switch.

Easy speed/direction control for pumps, conveyors and automation.

Sabertooth Dual 60A

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 2 Voltage: 6-30V (33.6V max) Current: 60A continuous, 120A peak per channel

Control Inputs: Analog voltage, radio control, serial and packetized serial. Sabertooth has independent and speed + direction operating modes, making it the ideal driver for differential drive (tank style) robots and more.

Size: 3.0 x 3.5 x 1.8 in (76mm x 89mm x 46mm)

Other Features: This motor controller has a 1 Amp Switching BEC, which is very useful power the 2.4GHz receivers (that draw about 130mA during sync). Thermal and overcurrent protection and Lithium protection mode.

SyRen 1x10

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 1 Voltage: 12-24VDC (30V max) Current: 10A continuous, 15A peak

Control Inputs: Analog voltage, radio control, serial and packetized serial.

Size: 1.4 x 2.25 x .6 in (35mm x 57mm x 14mm)

SyRen 1x25

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 1 Voltage: 12-24VDC (30V max) Current: 25A continuous, 45A peak

Control Inputs: Analog voltage, radio control, serial and packetized serial.

Size: 2.4 x 2.3 x .8 in (61mm x 58mm x 21mm)

SyRen 1x50

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 1 Voltage: 6-30V (33.6V max) Current: 50A continuous, 100A peak

Control Inputs: Analog voltage, radio control, serial and packetized serial.

Size: 3.0 x 3.5 x 1.3 in (76.5mm x 89mm x 33mm)

Other Features: Multiple operating modes configurable via an on board DIP switch.

Multiple operating modes configurable via an on board DIP switch.

Pololu

Dual MC33926 Motor Driver Shield for Arduino

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 2 Voltage: 5-28V Current: 3A continuous, 5A max per channel

Control Inputs: Arduino pins 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12

Size: Arduino compatible

Other Features: Simple motor control through an Arduino with the use of supplied libraries located here.

Dual VNH5019 Motor Driver Shield for Arduino

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 2 Voltage: 5.5-24V Current: 12A continuous, 30A peak per channel

Control Inputs: Arduino pins 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12

Size: Arduino compatible

Other Features: Simple motor control through an Arduino with the use of supplied libraries located here.

Not recommended for use with 24v batteries.

Pololu DRV8833 Dual Motor Driver Carrier

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 2 Voltage: 2.7-10.8V Current: 1.2A continuous, 2A peak per channel

Control Inputs: PWM and Digital Inputs. See datasheet for details.

Size: 0.5 x 0.8 in (12.7mm x 20.32mm)

RoboteQ

RoboteQ SDC2160 - 2x20A 60V Motor Controller with Encoder Input

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 2 Voltage: 10-60V Current: 10A continuous, 20A peak per channel

Control Inputs: Radio Control Input, Serial Input, Analog Input

Size: 2.6 x 2.6 x 0.75 in (66mm x 66mm x 19mm)

Other Features: Forward & Reverse Speed Control. Separate or Mixed. Encoder Input for Speed and Position Control.

RoboteQ MDC2460 - 2x60A 60V Motor Controller with Encoder Input

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 2 Max Voltage: 10-60V Current: 50A continuous, 60A peak per channel

Control Inputs: Radio Control Input, Serial Input, Analog Input

Size: 5.5 x 5.5 x 1 in (139.7mm x 139.7mm x 25.4mm)

Other Features: Forward & Reverse Speed Control. Separate or Mixed. Encoder Input for Speed and Position Control.

RoboteQ XDC2460 - 2x150A 60V Motor Controller with Encoder Input

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 2 Max Voltage: 10-60V Current: 80A continuous, 150A peak per channel

Control Inputs: Radio Control Input, Serial Input, Analog Input

Size: 9 x 5.5 x 1.6in (228.6mm x 139.7mm x 40.6mm)

Other Features: Forward & Reverse Speed Control. Separate or Mixed. Encoder Input for Speed and Position Control.

RoboClaw

RoboClaw 2x7A Motor Controller

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 2 Max Voltage: 6-34V Current: 7.5A continuous, 15A peak per channel

Control Inputs: Radio Control Input, Serial Input, Analog Input, USB, Position Control, Velocity Control

Size: 1.9 x 1.7 x 0.7in (48mm x 42mm x 17mm)

Other Features: Built-in commands for controlling acceleration, deceleration, distance, speed, current sense, voltage limits and more.

RoboClaw 2x15A Motor Controller

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 2 Max Voltage: 6-34V Current: 15A continuous, 30A peak per channel

Control Inputs: Radio Control Input, Serial Input, Analog Input, USB, Position Control, Velocity Control

Size: 2.9 x 2 x 0.7in (74mm x 52mm x 17mm)

Other Features: Built-in commands for controlling acceleration, deceleration, distance, speed, current sense, voltage limits and more.

RoboClaw 2x30A Motor Controller

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 2 Max Voltage: 6-34V Current: 30A continuous, 60A peak per channel

Control Inputs: Radio Control Input, Serial Input, Analog Input, USB, Position Control, Velocity Control

Size: 2.9 x 2 x 0.7in (74mm x 52mm x 17mm)

Other Features: Built-in commands for controlling acceleration, deceleration, distance, speed, current sense, voltage limits and more.

RoboClaw 2x60A Motor Controller

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 2 Max Voltage: 6-34V Current: 60A continuous, 120A peak per channel

Control Inputs: RC Input, Serial Input, Analog Input, USB, Position Control, Velocity Control

Size: 3.9 x 3.4 x 1in (100mm x 86mm x 25.4mm)

Other Features: Built-in commands for controlling acceleration, deceleration, distance, speed, current sense, voltage limits and more.

RoboClaw Solo 30A Motor Controller

Capacity and Voltage: Channels: 1 Max Voltage: 6-34V Current: 30A continuous, 60A peak

Control Inputs: Radio Control Input, Serial Input, Analog Input, USB, Position Control, Velocity Control

Size: 2.4 x 1.3 x 0.9in (60mm x 32.5mm x 23mm)

Other Features: Built-in commands for controlling acceleration, deceleration, distance, speed, current sense, voltage limits and more.

Schematics

Below are some schematics that may not apply directly to what you wish to do, but will give you a starting point or you can use pieces of it.

• ATR Power Schematic
• Running NiMH in parallel recommended schematic
• 2 MD03s in 0-5V Mode with a reverse bit controlled with a OOPic-R and a SDR Wireless controller
• 2 MD03s in I2C Mode controlled with a OOPic-R and a SDR Wireless controller
• MD22 in I2C Mode controlled with a OOPic-R and a SDR Wireless controller
• 6 SDR PWMs for 6 motors controlled with an OOPic-R and a SDR Wireless controller
• Hookup of a Custom Sabertooth to a Spektrum Radio

Hooking Up SuperDroid Robots PWM to a RC Controller

Our PWM motor controller can be hooked up to our RC Interface board to allow you to control motors with a standard RC unit. We sell a PWM to RC Hookup Kit that connects 2 PWMs to the RC interface board as shown in the picture to the left. This is our preferred way of controlling a robot with a RC controller and seems to work the best out of all the other methods that we have tried. The top picture is using 1 PWM per pair of motors on our mini ATR, the bottom picture uses a single PWM per motor for our Deluxe ATR. The boards are labeled, you just hook up the brake lines, PWM lines, and Direction Lines together. Wire the PWMs with power, and plug in the receiver to the RC interface board.

Hooking Up an OOPic II/II+ Expansion Board to the MD22

Our PWM motor controller can be hooked up to our RC Interface board to allow you to control motors with a standard RC unit. We sell a PWM to RC Hookup Kit that connects 2 PWMs to the RC interface board as shown in the picture to the left. This is our preferred way of controlling a robot with a RC controller and seems to work the best out of all the other methods that we have tried. The top picture is using 1 PWM per pair of motors on our mini ATR, the bottom picture uses a single PWM per motor for our Deluxe ATR. The boards are labeled, you just hook up the brake lines, PWM lines, and Direction Lines together. Wire the PWMs with power, and plug in the receiver to the RC interface board.

Hooking Up an OOPic-R Expansion Board to the MD22

The MD22 can be easily hooked up to an OOPic-R using the Trekker-R Expansion board and our single ended jumpers to go from the headers OOPic-R to the terminal block of the MD22 allowing you to still use all the features of the Trekker-R Expansion board/OOPic-R. Or you can build custom connectors with receptacles to go from the headers to the MD22. You can hook up to the I2C connection or you can drive the MD22 with any servo I/O pins using the oServo object. The advantage of this is you then end up with an interface board that allows you to hook up all the I/O the Trekker-R Expansion board supports.

Hooking up the MD22 to the OOPic II/II+

The MD22 can be easily hooked up to an OOPic II/II+ by using our double ended jumpers to go from the headers of the OOPic to the header of the MD22. You can hook up to I2C connection or you can drive the MD22 with any of the I/O Pins using the oServo object.

As an Extension to this hook-up you can utilize the Trekker OOPic II/II+ Expansion board and drive the MD22s using the servo outputs or I2C and you get all the great features of the expansion boards and your robot will be just like a Trekker only bigger! You can add all the sensors, etc. that the expansion boards support and most of the programs for the Trekker will be applicable. See our controller hook up page for more details. These kits also provide you with battery trays for your controller power.

Hooking up the MD22 to the OOPic-R

The MD22 can be easily hooked up to an OOPic-R by using our double ended jumpers to go from the headers of the OOPic to the header of the MD22. You can hook up to I2C connection or you can drive the MD22 with any of the I/O Pins using the oServo object.

As an Extension to this hook-up you can utilize the OOPic-R with an Trekker OOPic-R Expansion board and drive the MD22s using the servo outputs or I2C and you get all the great features of the expansion boards and your robot will be just like a Trekker only bigger. You can add all the sensors, etc. that the expansion boards support and most of the programs for the Trekker will be applicable. See our controller hook up page for more details. These kits also provide you with battery trays for your controller power.

Hooking up the MD22 to the CM02 RF04 Transceiver Link

The MD22 can be easily hooked up to an CM02 R04 by standard wire from one terminal block to the 4 pin headers on the CM02. You will want some crimp receptacles to attach the wire to the header. Other devices like a compass or SRF08 can be attached to the CM02 Header too.

Hooking up the MD22 to a standard RC system

The MD22 can be easily hooked up to a standard RC Receiver with wire from one terminal block to the 3 pin headers of an RC Receiver. You will want some 3-ping crimp receptacles to attach the wire to the header.