Pololu Simple Motor Controller 18v7 - PL-1373

Pololu Simple Motor Controller 18v7 - PL-1373 info

Pololu Simple Motor Controller 18v7 is a versatile, general-purpose motor controller for brushed, DC motors. A wide operating range of up to 5.5–30V and the ability to deliver up to several hundred Watts in a small form factor make these controllers suitable for many motor control applications. With a variety of supported interfaces—­USB for direct connection to a computer, TTL serial for use with embedded systems, RC hobby servo pulses for use as an RC-controlled electronic speed control (ESC), and analog voltages for use with a potentiometer or analog joystick—­and a wide array of configurable settings, Pololu Simple Motor Controller 18v7makes it easy to add basic control of brushed DC motors to a variety of projects. Although Pololu Simple Motor Controller 18v7 has many more features than competing products, a free configuration utility (for Windows 8, 7, Vista, Windows XP, and Linux) simplifies initial setup of the device and allows for in-system testing and monitoring of the controller via USB.

We strongly recommend against using the 18v7, 18v15, or 18v25 with 24 V batteries, which can significantly exceed 24 V when fully charged and are dangerously close to the maximum voltage limits of these lower-voltage controllers.

Note: A USB A to mini-B cable (not included) is required to connect this controller to a computer.

Pololu Simple Motor Controller 18v7 - General Specifications

• Simple bidirectional control of one DC brush motor.
• 5.5V to 30V operating supply range.
• 7A maximum continuous current output without a heat sink, depending on controller model
• Four communication or control options
• Simple configuration and calibration over USB with free configuration program
• Comprehensive user’s guide with plenty of connection diagrams and sample code.
• Adjustable starting speed, maximum speed, and amount of braking when speed is zero.
• Optional safety controls to avoid unexpectedly powering the motor.
• Input calibration (learning) and adjustable scaling degree for analog and RC signals.
• Under-voltage shutoff with hysteresis for use with batteries vulnerable to over-discharging (e.g. LiPo cells).
• Adjustable over-temperature threshold and response.
• Adjustable PWM frequency from 1 kHz to 22 kHz

Pololu Simple Motor Controller 18v7 - Technical Specifications

• Motor channels: 1
• Control interface: USB; non-inverted TTL serial; RC servo pulses; analog voltage
• Minimum operating voltage: 5.5V
• Maximum operating voltage: 30V
• Continuous output current per channel: 7A
• Maximum PWM frequency: 21.77kHz
• Maximum logic voltage: 3.3V

Videos

Documents

Pololu Simple Motor Controller User’s Guide: https://www.pololu.com/docs/0J44

Pololu USB Software Development Kit: https://www.pololu.com/docs/0J41

Application Note: Using AutoHotkey with Pololu USB Products: https://www.pololu.com/docs/0J45

References

Pololu Web Site: https://www.pololu.com/product/1373