For those that purchased this for powering the ShapeOko stepper motors, are you using it to power the arduino too? How since the power supply doesn't have a center tap and the arduino needs 12volts?
1567404
If you operate in a mixed 12V 24V environment, it's fairly trivial to add a 12V or other adjustable voltage regulator for that purpose. http://www.amazon.com/Converter-Regulator-Voltage-Reducer-Step/dp/B00AO0PCMW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1362772728&sr=8-2&keywords=voltage+regulator+24v+to+12v
1564651
Here's a good tutorial for Raspberry Pi: http://www.raspberrypi-spy.co.uk/2012/07/stepper-motor-control-in-python/It's pretty easy to generalize that to Arduino or other platforms. A web search for 28BYJ -48 ULN2003 and your controller of choice should turn up other tutorials.Also, I wrote a little tutorial on using it with an Arduino: http://shallowsky.com/arduino/class/stepper.html
1415488
I soldered and shrink tubed the power connection. I used this for a simple open door alarm trigger for an underground radio vault. It works great. My application was a one time use. See Digikey or Mouser for connectors.
2219553
I had the same problem and found the controller was not connected well. The battery connections are not very user friendly either. I took the motor and connected directly to the battery and it worked. I then checked power out of controller when I forced a turn on, all worked fine. So, it knew it was a bad controller to motor connection. I kept on messing with the connector , controller to motor, and it finally started working. I am talking about the connection inside the hopper that connects motor to controller.
1497023
Here is a link to a discussion about the board:http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=110876.0What type of motor are you trying to control? A stepper motor? a servo motor? What type of micro controller are you using an arduino?
657043
I *think* they are for external power as you suggested. It would be useful when many relays were operated and their current exceeded the Arduino's power supply regulator circuit capability. I am running two 8-relay boards off the Arduino 5v but am careful to only operate 3-4 at a time. The Arduino forum may have additional insights. If using external power be careful not to exceed arduino's output pin voltage and current sink capabilities.
1726793
I too have the same question. I will try to buy a 120 V step down transformer.... meanwhile wanted to know which transformer someone has used it sucessfully with this? Is a transformer based converter needed or normal wiothout transformer work? I had one already but not sure if to use this or buy a transformer based 120 V
59968
There are several flavors of this board out there so I may be incorrect. The switch simply gates the supply to and from the VCC regulator. The jumpers I believe go to the enable signals for each motor. As for the current limit, I believe you will have to limit the motor supply input current in some way. You can find the datasheet for the IC here: https://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Components/General/L298N.pdf
907426
Sorry no idea.. I use a power supply with this funky power splitter... I can only guess maybe a few hours sequential use tops...my strobo tuner lasted for a few months but it is only used for a few minutes at a time/
1771333
The board is counterfeit of the Arduino Uno. I'm sure it works just as fine though....I hope. I just got mine today.
657326
The 12v input line is not regulated, thus it is limited by the power supply feeding the picopsu. I've used this in a number of setups that draw 20+ amps on the 12v line without a single problem years later. Now as for the 5v and 3.3v rails, that is another story.
2005816
I had it working hooked up to the 5v arduino board. I do not have it on me at the moment but i connected all the pins to the board and ran it off some code i found online.
1556336
That one stumped me too. Nothing in the instructions, although they do mention 12 VDC for that wire somewhere in a diagram. The instructions were horrible, and the thing never powered on. I returned it and got a refund. My suggestion is you do the same.
264318
Yes, this board almost works out-of-the-box with any Arduino, including the UNO, and any device capable of UART/USART communication. Be careful though. Power can be supplied using either a 3.3v or 5v source, but the RX and TX pins should only use 3.3v logic signals. The thing won't blow up on the first time you try to send a 5v signal, just do not do it any ways. Get a Logic Level Converter, learn how to make a voltage divider circuit, or how to use a transistor to do so instead. BTW these things are awesome. Get a simple terminal app for android and it will pair right up. Yes, this board almost works out-of-the-box with any Arduino, including the UNO, and any device capable of UART/USART communication. Be careful though. Power can be supplied using either a 3.3v or 5v source, but the RX and TX pins should only use 3.3v logic signals. The thing won't blow up on the first time you try to send a 5v signal, just do not do it any ways. Get a Logic Level Converter, learn how to make a voltage divider circuit, or how to use a transistor to do so instead. BTW these things are awesome. Get a simple terminal app for android and it will pair right up.
1004444
Yes you can, i bought it an used it with Arduino UNO. But theres a stupid part, It comes with 1 DC motor set (most of tamiya products are, i donno why). so i had to buy the Tamiya Dual DC motor set and fixed it manually on the wooden base of the chassis. it was a bit annoying but its working fine.
758378
I chatted with Aluratek not long ago, and they told me this unit was discontinued a few years ago. I looked on my power supply and it has +5volts @ 3 amps with the center pole positive. So if you can find a universal supply with a plug that will fit and the right polarity, it should work. I doubt that you will be able to get one from Aluratek, you may go on their site and go to support and maybe contact them and ask.Hope this helps...
934072
A couple of things here to say... This unit should come with a supply... Seems like mine did. On that note, the unit take 15 watts or a little less than 1.5 amps (18 watts). I would get a 12 volt 2 amp dc switching power supply with a 2.1 mm jack on it. You want your load to only be about 80% of your supply. Another advantage to a switching power supply is that when the load does not require the full power (day time IR LEDS are off) the power supply consumes less energy. I would suggest getting a bigger power supply and a splitter and hook up several ... A 5 amp supply show power 3 of them. If the power supply you received with the unit is only 1 amp, it's already under powered.