I purchased this motor:
robotshop.com/en/12v-12rpm-8 … LEQAvD_BwE
It can pull 20 amps.
I purchased the motor driver:
robotshop.com/en/sabertooth- … river.html
It can provide a steady 12 amps. It can provide 20 amps for ten seconds.
What precautions do I need to take?
Can I measure how many amps are being pulled and monitor that from a raspberry Pi?
At a later date, I hope to buy a R/C motor controller that’s properly sized.
Hi,
The 20Amp rating for the 12V, 12RPM 8110.2oz-in HD Planetary Gearmotor is when the gear motor is stalled which should never happen. Stalling the motor for long period of time will damage the motor.
In a normal use (with a rated load), the current consumption can be approximated to 20%-25% of the stall current rating. This means that this motor consumes about 4A-5A continuously which is well below 12A that the RB-Dim-43 can provide. So, you should be fine with this driver.
You can measure the current being pulled by the motor using a Current Sensor attached in series with your motor and interfaced with your Raspberry Pi. For example, this Phidgets 30 Amp Current Sensor AC&DC might interest you.
