Motor Controller Support

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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.

PWM Signal

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.

Dimension Engineering

TE-091-205 tn.jpg

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)

TE-115-212 tn.jpg

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).

TE-091-212 tn.jpg

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).

TE-091-225 tn.jpg

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)

1616696070941.jpg

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.

TE-091-260.jpg

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.


TE-098-110.jpg

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)


TE-098-125 tn.jpg

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)


1616693041031.jpg

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

1616693108359.jpg

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.

1616693238420.jpg

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.

1616693399706.jpg

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

1616694661327.jpg

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.

1616694911002.jpg

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.

1616695950978.jpg

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

1616693948013.jpg

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.

1616693979267.jpg

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.

1616694018962.jpg

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.

1616694051739.jpg

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.

1616694089174.jpg

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.


SuperDroid Robots

TE-294-001-F.jpg

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.

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.

Common Questions (FAQ):

Question: A very common question that we get is "how do I hook up four motors to a two-channel motor controller?" Most of our 4WD robots use four motors (one motor per wheel).

Answer: Since the left motors need to act together as do the right motors, the solution is very easy. Just parallel the left motors to one channel of the motor controller, and parallel the right motors to the second channel. The same goes for 6WD robots. Just make sure the sum of the stall torque for each motor does not exceed the motor controller rating. (ie: 2 motors with 15A stall will exceed the rating of a 25A controller in a stall condition.