I just completed the "cpu stack" for my mower robot and am starting to write/test the code. This whole unit contains the arduino, sensor shield, h-bridge, voltage regulator, rc remote receiver, led voltage display (battery and PS line) and switches for each part. It will also contain a cooling fan for tbe H-bridge if needed. The entire thing is designed to slip in and out of the battery box and just connect the motors and battery (soon sensors as well). Simple for removal for coding and service.
Since the drive motors are on the robot base and it is too large to bring into the house, I am trying to set it up to bench test my code. The robots motors are hefty 12-24v 20amp monsters. I want to be able to plug in something smaller on my desktop to code with.
I have dozens of small hobby motors. Litterally dozens. The problem is that none of them are marked. Is there a way to measure the voltage rating on these hobby motors? Or since most of the are low voltage (usually less than 9v), could I connect a couple resistors or diodes to the h-bridge output that would allow me to test with these smaller motors? (assuming they are 6-9v and not just small 12v motors) Of course I could rewire the h-bridge for a smaller power supply, but that would be a pain each time I needed to test some code.
Easy answer is to just possibly sacrifice a couple and connect them direct to the 12v sla and see if they blow. Anything less destructive and a little more boring?
Edit: would I be able to connect the smaller motors regardless of the voltage increase, for testing, as long as I keep the PWM (heat/speed) really low? Say, 10 percent?
Thanks all!
ED
