Dagu 4 chanell motor controler, how to connect

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Hi all,

I have Rpaspberry Pi, Dagu 4 chanell motor controller anda Dagu Rover 5 and I want to make a robot. :)
I read many articles about all of this components but to me isn't clear yet how to connect motor controller to other components. On motor controller I have on one side 4 pins for each chanel. On PWM pin I will connect PWM signal generated from RPi? On dir pin I will connect direction signal generated also from RPi? GND pin on each chanel I will connect to GND of battery supply? Where to connect current pin? Which serve this pin?

On other side I have 8 pins. On GND I will connect black cable from motor? Ona VCC I will conect red cable from motor? What to connect on encoder A and ecnoder B input pins? What to connect to output pins (encoder A, B and Interupt)? Where to connect second GND pin? Which serve all this pins? Can I drive motors without to connect that pins? If I understand correctly this is some type of feedback from motors?

Wheels on Dagu Rover 5 are tracked merged. Because of that can I control two motors with one PWM signal? Can I
an output pin from RPi split in two input pins on motor controler?


It's a lot question, I know.

Thanks in advance

2

Thanks on answers

Hi!

First, thanks on fast answers.

Yes, I’m a totally beginer in this and yes this is my first robot.

Many of this links and isntruction (not all) I’m already found and read.  Thanks on them.

OK, if I correctly understand both of you I can generate two of PWM and DIR signals and to connect each one to two motor chanel using wire with three ends (one in RPi and two in motor controler)? Just with that I can control motors. Can I connect gnd pin of each chanel to one gnd pin on RPi?

OK, output current provides to me 1V for 1A of curent which motor gets. If motor pulls 2A on this pin i will get out 2V? Which is serve of this? To control maximum curent on motors and to stop motors if curent is over maximum?

Encoders can be disconected but I can connect them (power pin, gnd pin, input encoders A and B) but this does not mean anything to me as long as output interupt isn’t connect to the RPi (thought some expension board because motorg controler gives power of 5v and RPi maximum input power on pins are 3.3v)? When I get expansion board for logic voltage translation I can use that for monitoring speed, direction and distance for each motor? In future I must to connect all 4 output encoder pins to RPi (thought logic voltage translation) or is only encoder output interupt enought to get all information? 

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Thanks on answers!If I

Thanks on answers!

If I understand you my only problem is output voltage of motor controler of 5V, but this only if I connect output encoders pins and output interupt pin to RPi and, also if I connect output curent pin to RPi. If I all that pins do not connect to RPi I do not have electrical problems but I do not have feedback from motors too.

I found pages which you described. I will read more from that.

Thanks a lot!

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Hi,I have new question. :)I

Hi,

I have new question. :slight_smile:
I already ask can I divide one PWM and DIR output signal from RPi to two PWM and DIR pins on motor controler and, if I correctly understand answers, it is posible. I must only to check is bouth motors rotate in same direction. Now, I have another idea. Can I connect two motors to one output from driver motor? From RPi I have one PWM and DIR output and that I connect to one PWM and DIR input on motor controller and, now, I connect two motors on one output from motor driver. Is that possible? On one output from motor driver I can get 4A maximum current, and maximum current for my motors is 2.5A. If I connect two motors on same output that will prevent a possible burnout of motors.

Is this idea possible and it is good or it is better first solution to dived PWM and DIR signals?

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OK, thanks.I understend. It

OK, thanks.

I understend. It is better to divide PWM and DIR from RPi output than connect two motors on one motor output.

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Hi,One more

Hi,

One more question, actually two. :slight_smile:

With Dagu Rower 5 4WD I got 6xAA batery holder. If I buy bateries with big capacity (about 2500mAh each) is that enought for my system (Dagu Rover 5 4WD, Dagu 4 chanell motor controler and RPi)? If my motors (in worst case) need 2A each, motor conotrller not more that 1A and RPi about 1A it is about 10A of current. Can AA bateries in this holder give that current constantly? Do you now it is posible to upgrade holder with now connection’s and electronics part to charge bateries with simply plug in with power cable with output power about 7.2V or 9V? Whether there may have been some similar power system which I can use?

I read about output current from Dagu motor controler from some articles and pages on this site and from motor controler specification. I understand that the if motor pulling 1A of current I will get 1V on output current pin. If pull 2A I will get 2V and so. Is that correct? Of course, I can not directly connect output current pin to RPi because RPi GPIOs maximum power is 3.3V, but in case that I devide that analog power that can not exceed 3.3V can I read analog value on RPi GPIOs?

7

Thanks on answers and

Thanks on answers and sugestions.