Motors and Microcontrollers 101

posted Jun 29th 2009 12:58pm by
filed under: misc hacks

[Humberto] from NerdKits sends in the newest addition to their excellent collection of videos. This video goes over the basics of DC motor control with microcontrollers. They begin by showing nine experiments and observations that can be done by the average hacker with a multimeter, motor, LED, and jumperwire. Using the results from these they show how to model and calculate the properties of a motor. Lastly, it shows how to control a motor using PWM. They have supplemental text and demonstration code for an ATmega168 on their website.



7 Responses to Motors and Microcontrollers 101

  • beaker says:
    June 29, 2009 at 2:12 pm

    this is great stuff, keep up the good work.

    Reply Report comment
  • Chris says:
    June 29, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    Their videos are always excellent, despite some basic topics they cover everything so clearly that it is great for explaining things.

    Reply Report comment
  • Sammy says:
    June 30, 2009 at 1:35 am

    Their vids are really good. it is only the basics but i still learn something when i watch them.

    Reply Report comment
  • strider_mt2k says:
    June 30, 2009 at 5:05 am

    awesome

    such good stuff here

    Reply Report comment
  • MrX says:
    June 30, 2009 at 7:06 am

    The flyback diode is really a good point.

    Though, I think I don’t need it if the
    micro-controller powers the motor using a smooth
    transition from the off state. Am I right?

    Reply Report comment
  • svofski says:
    June 30, 2009 at 7:38 am

    @mrx: you always need a flyback diode. a motor can come to a sudden stop, or imagine what happens when it’s not moving but someone turns the rotor.

    Reply Report comment
  • Brett_cgb says:
    June 30, 2009 at 10:01 am

    mrx – If you’re just turning the motor on, you don’t need the diode. However, the first time you turn it off could also be the last time because the switch is damaged. This means you might not be able to turn it on a second time. (Notice that I didn’t say anything about what’s doing the switching.)

    Very nicely done videos!

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