- Motoron M2S18v20 Dual High-Power Motor Controller Shield for Arduino w/ Connectors
- Offers independent control of two high-power DC motors
- Features reverse-voltage protection and current sensing
- Includes configurable motion parameters and hardware current limiting
- Provides a logic voltage range of 3 to 5 V
- Comes with pre-soldered stackable headers and terminal blocks
The Motoron M2S18v20 Dual High-Power Motor Controller Shield for Arduino w/ Connectors is a device designed to facilitate the control of two high-power DC motors from an Arduino or Arduino-compatible board via an I2C interface. It is compatible with motor supply voltages ranging from 6.5 to 30 V and is capable of delivering continuous output currents of up to 20 A per motor. This particular model comes with pre-soldered stackable headers and terminal blocks.
The terminal blocks are designed to be taller than the headers, making this version suitable for standalone use or placement at the top of a stack. For those seeking to use stackable shields, it is advisable to opt for the kit version and solder wires directly to the board in lieu of the terminal blocks.
The M2S18v20 shield is distinguishable from other M2S shields by its larger discrete MOSFETs and the number 150 displayed on the tall silver electrolytic capacitors. The terminal blocks on the Motoron M2S high-power motor drivers are designed to be taller than the headers, hence they should only be installed on the top Motoron in the stack. The 5mm blue terminal blocks are rated for up to 16 A, thus for higher-current applications, it is advisable to opt for an unsoldered version and solder thick wires directly to the board.
The Motoron M2S18v20 Dual High-Power Motor Controller Shield is equipped with two motor control channels for independent control of up to two bidirectional brushed DC motors, reverse-voltage protection on motor power supply, and a logic voltage range of 3 to 5 V. It also features a control interface with an I2C clock speed of up to 400 kHz, configurable motion parameters, current sensing, configurable hardware current limiting, a command timeout feature, configurable automatic error response, motor power supply (VIN) voltage measurement, two status LEDs, motor direction indicator LEDs, and a comprehensive user’s guide.
The MOSFETs are designed to handle large current spikes for short durations, and the driver’s current chopping will maintain the average current under the set limit. The actual current deliverable will depend on the effectiveness of the motor driver’s cooling. The driver’s printed circuit board is designed to draw heat out of the MOSFETs, but performance can be enhanced by adding a heat sink or airflow. For high-current installations, it is recommended to solder the motor and power supply wires directly instead of going through the 5 mm blue terminal blocks, which are rated for up to 16 A.
Important Note: This motor driver does not feature an over-temperature shut-off. Over-temperature or over-current conditions can result in permanent damage to the motor driver. Under normal operating conditions, this product can reach temperatures high enough to cause burns.
