Pololu Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi (Soldered)

The Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller makes it easy to control up to three bidirectional, brushed DC motors from a Raspberry Pi (Model B+ or newer) through an I²C interface. Each module can independently control up to three motors, and multiple Motoron boards can be stacked on top of the same Raspberry Pi for projects that need to control even more motors.

The M3H256 operates from 4.5V to 48V and can deliver continuous output currents up to 2A per motor.

Unlike most of Pololu’s motor drivers and motor driver expansion boards for the Raspberry Pi, the Motoron does not require any PWM outputs on your Raspberry Pi. Instead, the Raspberry Pi communicates with the Motoron using I²C, so only two GPIO pins are needed regardless of how many Motorons you connect.

This version of the Motoron M3H256 ships with soldered stackable headers and terminal blocks. It includes a set of two M2.5 standoffs (11 mm length), screws, and nuts that can be used to secure the board at the proper height for the GPIO connector.

Features and Specifications

• Three motor control channels allow for independent control of up to three bidirectional brushed DC motors per Motoron
• Wide operating voltage range: 4.5 V to 48 V
• Maximum output current per motor: 2.0 A continuous, 6.4 A peak for <1 second
• Reverse-voltage protection on the motor power supply (down to -40 V)
• Logic voltage range: 2.8 V to 5.5 V
• Control interface: I²C
• I²C clock speed: up to 400 kHz
• Optional cyclic redundancy checking (CRC)
• Configurable motion parameters:
  • Max acceleration/deceleration forward/reverse
  • Starting speed forward/reverse
  • Direction change delay forward/reverse
• PWM frequency: eight options available from 1 kHz to 80 kHz
• Command timeout feature stops motors if the Raspberry Pi stops communicating
• Configurable automatic error response
• Motor power supply (VIN) voltage measurement
• Optional pins make it easy to power the Raspberry Pi from reverse-protected motor power through an external regulator (not included)
• Two status LEDs
• Motor direction indicator LEDs
• Motoron Python library simplifies getting started using the Motoron with a Raspberry Pi
• Comprehensive user’s guide

Resources

• User guide
• Python Library
• Dimension Diagram
• 3D Model (STEP)
• Drill Guide (DXF)