LESSON 3

Question 1

What is a motor driver?

Answer 1

The Arduino board does not generate enough power to turn on and operate small DC (direct current) motors. That’s why we use an amplifier in between the Arduino and motor to increase the power so our motors can spin.

This amplifier is called a Motor Driver; it can power up and control 2 motors at once. The motor on the left is called Motor 1 and the one on the right is Motor 2.

Question 2

Components of a motor driver

Answer 2

OUT1 and OUT2: Connect to motor 1
OUT3 and OUT4: Connect to motor 2
VCC and GND: Connect motor driver to power source

Control Pins (Connect motor driver to Arduino board)
ENA, ENB - these are the speed controllers; A sets the speed of Motor 1, B sets the speed of Motor 2 - max speed of a motor is 255
IN1, IN2 - turn motor 1 ON or OFF; one must be HIGH and one must be LOW for motor to work
IN3, IN4 - turn motor 2 ON or OFF; one must be HIGH and one must be LOW for motor to work