MCP233 Dual 30A, 34VDC Advanced Motor Controller

SKU: POLOLU-3585 Brand: Pololu
The MCP motor controllers from Basicmicro (formerly Ion Motion Control) can control a pair of brushed DC motors using USB serial, TTL serial, RS-232...
$519.95 AUD, inc GST
$472.68 AUD, exc GST

Quantity Discounts:

  • 3-5 $458.50 (exc GST)
  • 5+ $449.05 (exc GST)

Out of Stock

Sign up to get notified when it's available to order.

0 from local stock, 1 supplier stock; your order will dispatch between Dec 1 to Dec 10. And yes, stock levels and lead times are accurate!

Shipping:

  • $7+ Standard (5+ days*, tracked)
  • $11+ Express (2+ days*, tracked)
  • FREE Pickup (Newcastle only - must order online*)

Shipping costs may increase for heavy products or large orders.

Exact shipping can be calculated on the view cart page.

*Conditions apply, see shipping tab below.

The MCP series from Basicmicro (formerly Ion Motion Control) are a family of rugged, high-performance motor controllers with scripting support and other advanced features. They can supply brushed DC motors with 30 A, 60 A, or 120 A continuous at voltages from 10 V up to 60 V (depending on the model).



MCP233
(34 V max)

MCP236
(60 V max)


MCP263
(34 V max)

MCP266
(60 V max)
Operating voltage: 10 V to 34 V (MCP2x3 versions)
10 V to 60 V (MCP2x6 versions)
Continuous output current
per channel:
30 A 60 A
Peak output current
per channel:
30 A 60 A
Size(1): 88 × 72 × 26 mm 115 × 107 × 34 mm
Weight: 140 g 340 g

1 Including connectors and mounting flanges.


Each MCP motor controller has a USB interface that acts as a virtual serial (COM) port, allowing it to be controlled directly from a computer, and it features built-in commands for controlling acceleration, deceleration, distance, speed, voltage and current limits, and more. Several other interface modes are supported by the MCP as well: it can be controlled via TTL serial, RS-232 serial, or CAN bus (using the CANopen protocol) for use with an embedded or industrial system; RC hobby servo pulses for use as an RC-controlled electronic speed control (ESC); or analog voltages for use with potentiometers or analog joysticks.

The MCP features an internal user scripting system and user-configurable I/O pins that allows it to be used as a standalone controller, eliminating the need for an additional processor in many situations. It can be operated without feedback for open-loop speed control, or it can be used with a variety of feedback types for closed-loop speed or position control. A wide range of closed-loop sensors are supported, including quadrature encoders, analog encoders, and potentiometers.

The MCP incorporates several protection features including temperature, current, over-voltage, and under-voltage limits. Several user-definable settings such as a maximum current limit and battery voltage limits are provided for more refined control. The controller uses regenerative braking but can be configured with a voltage clamp circuits to limit the regenerative voltage when used with switching power supplies. The Basicmicro VClamp is a voltage clamp specifically designed to work with the RoboClaw and MCP to suppress such voltage spikes and is rated for use with supplies up to 60 V and currents up to 60 A.

Note: As of May 2023, the MCP controllers no longer support bridging the two channels to control a single higher-current motor.

Details for item #3585

The MCP233 operates from 10 V to 34 V and can deliver a typical continuous output current of 30 A per channel. It has a USB Mini-B connector and a female DA-15 connector (sometimes called DB-15) for control, feedback, and user I/O.

Up to 6 user inputs are available, all of which can be configured as analog, PWM, or digital inputs. 2 user outputs are available; these are open-drain (they can drive low to sink up to 3 A or be set to high impedance) and are 40 V tolerant.

You might consider getting this DB15 screw terminal breakout adapter to make I/O pins more accessible.

DB15 Screw Terminal Adapter for MCP23X/26X Advanced Motor Controllers with included hardware.

DB15 Screw Terminal Adapter for MCP23X/26X Advanced Motor Controllers.

DB15 screw terminal adapter mated to an MCP266 Advanced Motor Controller.

Key Features

  • Simple bidirectional control of two brushed DC motors
  • 10–34 V or 10–60 V operating supply range, depending on controller model
  • 30 A to 160 A maximum continuous current output, depending on controller model
  • Automatic current limiting reduces duty cycle when temperature exceeds 85° C
  • Six communication or control options:
    1. USB serial interface (virtual COM port)
    2. 3.3 V logic-level (TTL) serial interface for direct connection to microcontrollers or other embedded controllers
    3. RS-232 serial interface
    4. CAN bus interface supporting CANopen protocol as master or slave device
    5. Hobby radio control (RC) pulse width interface for direct connection to an RC receiver or RC servo controller
    6. Analog voltage (0 V to 5 V) interface for direct connection to potentiometers and analog joysticks
  • Automatic control switching with user-defined priority settings
  • I²C interface accessible by user script
  • Up to 20 user-defined input pins for control, feedback, or scripting, depending on controller model
  • All inputs are 15 V tolerant for interfacing to industrial devices such as PLCs
  • Up to 8 user-defined open-drain output pins (40 V max) for driving auxiliary loads, depending on controller model
  • Multiple feedback options for PID closed-loop control:
    • Speed or position control with quadrature encoders, up to 21 million encoder pulses per second
    • Position control with analog encoders or potentiometers
    • (Open-loop control with no feedback also available)
  • Programmable with built-in user scripting language
  • Screw terminals for quick connect/disconnect
  • Configurable via USB connection and PC software
  • Regenerative braking
  • Tolerates high-speed direction changes
  • 5 V BEC can power external logic
  • Battery monitoring and under-voltage cutoff protects batteries from over-discharging
  • Fully enclosed for protection
  • Conduction plate for cooling on bottom of enclosure

MCP233 or MCP236 motor controller, bottom view.

MCP263 or MCP266 motor controller, bottom view.

MCP2163 or MCP2166 motor controller, bottom view.

Note: Basicmicro was formerly Ion Motion Control. Basicmicro uses the following product names and numbers for the MCP controllers:

  • “MCP233 Dual 30A, 34VDC Advanced Motor Controller” – Item # IMC502
  • “MCP236 Dual 30A, 60VDC Advanced Motor Controller” – Item # IMC500
  • “MCP263 Dual 60A, 34VDC Advanced Motor Controller” – Item # IMC503
  • “MCP266 Dual 60A, 60VDC Advanced Motor Controller” – Item # IMC501
  • “MCP2163 Dual 160A, 34VDC Advanced Motor Controller” – Item # IMC517
  • “MCP2166 Dual 160A, 60VDC Advanced Motor Controller” – Item # IMC515

People often buy this product together with:

DB15 Screw Terminal Adapter for MCP23X/26X Advanced Motor ControllersDB15 Screw Terminal Adapter for MCP23X/26X Advanced Motor Controllers

Dimensions

Size: 3.4" × 2.8" × 1.0"1
Weight: 140 g

General specifications

Motor channels: 2
Control interface: USB; TTL serial; RS-232; CAN; RC servo pulses; analog voltage
Minimum operating voltage: 10 V
Maximum operating voltage: 34 V
Continuous output current per channel: 30 A
Peak output current per channel: 30 A

Notes:

1
Including connectors.

Recommended links

Product Comments

Exact shipping can be calculated on the view cart page (no login required).

Products that weigh more than 0.5 KG may cost more than what's shown (for example, test equipment, machines, >500mL liquids, etc).

We deliver Australia-wide with these options (depends on the final destination - you can get a quote on the view cart page):

  • $3+ for Stamped Mail (typically 10+ business days, not tracked, only available on selected small items)
  • $7+ for Standard Post (typically 6+ business days, tracked)
  • $11+ for Express Post (typically 2+ business days, tracked)
  • Pickup - Free! Only available to customers who live in the Newcastle region (must order online and only pickup after we email to notify you the order is ready). Orders placed after 2PM may not be ready until the following business day.

Non-metro addresses in WA, NT, SA & TAS can take 2+ days in addition to the above information.

Some batteries (such as LiPo) can't be shipped by Air. During checkout, Express Post and International Methods will not be an option if you have that type of battery in your shopping cart.

International Orders - the following rates are for New Zealand and will vary for other countries:

  • $12+ for Pack and Track (3+ days, tracked)
  • $16+ for Express International (2-5 days, tracked)

If you order lots of gear, the postage amount will increase based on the weight of your order.

Our physical address (here's a PDF which includes other key business details):

Unit 18, 132 Garden Grove Parade
Adamstown
NSW, 2289
Australia

Take a look at our customer service page if you have other questions such as "do we do purchase orders" (yes!) or "are prices GST inclusive" (yes they are!). We're here to help - get in touch with us to talk shop.

Have a product question? We're here to help!

Write Your Own Review

Guides

The Maker Revolution

The Maker Revolution celebrates the creation of new devices and the modification of existing ones - ...
The Maker Revolution celebrates the creation of new devices and the modification of existing ones - ...

Projects

Pi Zero Motion Sensing Camera

The Pi Zero Motion Sensing Camera is a portable security camera using a Pi Zero 2W, Pi Zero camera,...
The Pi Zero Motion Sensing Camera is a portable security camera using a Pi Zero 2W, Pi Zero camera,...

555 Timer Step Sequencer Synthesiser

If you, like me, have been inhaling so much flux that the bronchioles of your lungs have mutated to...
If you, like me, have been inhaling so much flux that the bronchioles of your lungs have mutated to...

Wireless QI Phone Charger Powered by Raspberry Pi

I have a new phone and want the battery health to last as long as possible. Charging it to 100% ove...
I have a new phone and want the battery health to last as long as possible. Charging it to 100% ove...
Feedback

Please continue if you would like to leave feedback for any of these topics:

  • Website features/issues
  • Content errors/improvements
  • Missing products/categories
  • Product assignments to categories
  • Search results relevance

For all other inquiries (orders status, stock levels, etc), please contact our support team for quick assistance.

Note: click continue and a draft email will be opened to edit. If you don't have an email client on your device, then send a message via the chat icon on the bottom left of our website.

Makers love reviews as much as you do, please follow this link to review the products you have purchased.