Controlling a DC Motor with Raspberry Pi4

Introduction

In this tutorial I will show you how to connect some motors to your Raspberry Pi4. DC Motor with Raspberry Pi lies with the Motor Driver.

What is motor Driver : A Motor Driver is a special circuit or IC that provides the necessary power (or rather the current) to the motor for smooth and safe operation.

we should never connect a motor directly to Raspberry Pi

Circuit Diagram

Controlling a DC Motor with Raspberry Pi4

with Motor Driver Module-L298N, we can actually control two motors. For simplicity reasons, I’ll demonstrate the circuit, working and program for controlling a single DC Motor with Raspberry Pi4.

Short Brief Motor Driver Module-L298N :

From this Datasheet This dual bidirectional motor driver, is based on the very popular L298 Dual H-Bridge Motor Driver Integrated Circuit. The circuit will allow you to easily and independently control two motors of up to 2A each in both directions.It is ideal for robotic applications and well suited for connection to a microcontroller requiring just a couple of control lines per motor. It can also be interfaced with simple manual switches, TTL logic gates, relays, etc. This board equipped with power LED indicators, on-board +5V regulator and protection diodes.

Brief Data:

• Driver: L298N Dual H Bridge DC Motor Driver

• Power Supply: DC 5 V - 35 V.

• Peak current: 2 Amp

• Operating current range: 0 ~ 36mA

Signal Control signal input voltage range:

• Low: -0.3V ≤ Vin ≤ 1.5V.

• High: 2.3V ≤ Vin ≤ Vss.

Enable signal input voltage range:

o Low: -0.3 ≤ Vin ≤ 1.5V (control signal is invalid).

o High: 2.3V ≤ Vin ≤ Vss (control signal active).

• Maximum power consumption: 20W (when the temperature T = 75 ℃).

• Storage temperature: -25 ℃ ~ +130.

• On-board + 5V regulated output supply (supply to controller board i.e. Arduino).

Ize Size: 3.4cm x 4.3cm x 2.7cm

Components Required

Lipo Battery 3300mAh

Python Program for Controlling a DC Motor with Raspberry Pi

	import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
	from time import sleep

	# Pins for Motor Driver Inputs
	Motor1A = 21
	Motor1B = 20
	Motor1E = 16

	def setup():
	GPIO.setwarnings(False)
	GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM) # GPIO Numbering
	GPIO.setup(Motor1A,GPIO.OUT) # All pins as Outputs
	GPIO.setup(Motor1B,GPIO.OUT)
	GPIO.setup(Motor1E,GPIO.OUT)

	def loop():
	# Going forwards
	GPIO.output(Motor1A,GPIO.HIGH)
	GPIO.output(Motor1B,GPIO.LOW)
	GPIO.output(Motor1E,GPIO.HIGH)
	print("Going forwards")

	sleep(5)
	# Going backwards
	GPIO.output(Motor1A,GPIO.LOW)
	GPIO.output(Motor1B,GPIO.HIGH)
	GPIO.output(Motor1E,GPIO.HIGH)
	print("Going backwards")

	sleep(5)
	# Stop
	GPIO.output(Motor1E,GPIO.LOW)
	GPIO.output(Motor1B,GPIO.LOW)
	print("Stop")

	def destroy():
	GPIO.cleanup()

	if __name__ == '__main__': # Program start from here
	setup()
	try:
	loop()
	except KeyboardInterrupt:
	destroy()