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Description: The Ardumoto Shield is a dual-motor controller for Arduino. Based on the L298 H-bridge, the SparkFun Ardumoto can drive two DC motors up to 2A per channel. Combined with an Arduino, the Ardumoto makes a fantastic controller platform for RC vehicles or even small autonomous robots. It’s now easier to use, featuring control signal LEDs, while also being much more flexible for advanced users.
The board takes its power from the same Vin line as the Arduino board and includes blue and yellow LEDs to indicate active direction. All driver lines are diode protected from back EMF. The L298 is a two-channel motor driver, which means it can individually drive up to two motors, making it perfect for a two-wheel-drive vehicle. Each channel on the L298 can deliver up to 2A to the motor to which it’s connected. Keep in mind, though, that the amount of current available to your motor also depends on your system’s power source.
Note: The Ardumoto does not include screw terminals or stackable headers; you will need to purchase both separately. You can find them in the aforementioned links or in the Recommended Products below.
Get Started with the SparkFun Ardumoto Guide
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Related Tutorials
Ardumoto Kit Hookup Guide
April 14, 2017
Learn how to assemble and drive DC motors using the v2.0 Ardumoto Shield.
Following information is missing:
Max voltage without modifications is 18V (Sparkfun, you should make the connection to Arduino Vin disconnectable and C3 rated for 63V, so it can be used up to 40V, as is allowed by the chip)
4A?? Mine reaches 60°C on top of driver chip (ambient 26°C) with a continuous load of 100mA per channel. Please provide realistic current figure or improve board layout. Even better, make a mosfet-based one.
The static tests I did while designing shows the following steady state limits at rated voltage:
I’ll see about changing the description to say ‘peak’ rather than ‘up to’. I agree that’s a little misleading, but most people aren’t trying to regulate 160W of drive continuously! I do have some plans to make that product in the future though.
If you want the full current capacity at steady state, you’ll have to remove the heat from the IC by way of a heatsink or by forcing air (better yet, do both!) Even a light breeze helps tremendously.
I get different results with the 100mA current test. I drive 113mA/channel and get 35°C with an 8V source, or 40°C with the full 18V source (ambient 27°C, laying flat on desk). Are you running yours from 40V for your 60° results?
I did forget to mention that I was running it at 24V, which is above your 18V rating. Replaced the cap and cut the trace to Vin. Arduino was run from separate supply. It was also used with another shield on top, which doesn’t help the convective cooling of course.
Maybe add your 1.1A continuous figure to the description, with the test conditions, that gives people more of an idea what to expect:)