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Motoron M2U256 Dual Serial Motor Controller (Header Pins Soldered)

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Motoron M2U256 Dual Serial Motor Controller (Header Pins Soldered)

SKU: POLOLU-5066 Brand: Pololu

The Motoron M2U256 Dual I²C Motor Controller offers a compact solution for controlling two DC motors using a UART serial interface. Multiple Motoron...

$42.70 AUD, inc GST

$38.82 AUD, exc GST

Available with a lead time
Expect dispatch between Nov 27 and Dec 02

Quantity Discounts:

10-25 $37.26 (exc GST)
25+ $36.10 (exc GST)

The Motoron M2T256 and M2U256 controllers make it easy to control two bidirectional, brushed DC motors using an I²C or TTL serial (UART) interface, respectively. These compact (0.6" × 0.8") boards operate from 4.5 V to 48 V and can deliver continuous output currents up to 1.8 A per motor. Multiple Motoron controllers can be configured to work on a single I²C or serial bus, allowing independent control of many motors. Unlike most of Pololu's motor drivers, the Motoron does not require any PWM outputs or timers on your microcontroller. Instead, only a single I²C or UART interface is needed regardless of how many Motorons you connect.

These Motoron controllers are available in several versions with different combinations of communication interfaces and connector options:

M2T256 (I²C):
- headers soldered
- headers included but not soldered in
M2U256 (TTL serial):
- headers soldered
- headers included but not soldered in

Details for item #5066

Typical wiring diagram for connecting a microcontroller to a Motoron M2U256 Dual Serial Motor Controller.

The M2U256 has a non-inverted TTL serial (UART) interface, and this version ships with soldered headers.

Motoron M2T256/M2U256 Dual Motor Controller (Header Pins Soldered).

Motoron M2U256 Dual Serial Motor Controller, bottom view.

Features and specifications

Two motor control channels allow for independent control of up to two bidirectional brushed DC motors per Motoron
Wide operating voltage range: 4.5 V to 48 V (absolute maximum)
- Recommended maximum nominal battery voltage is approximately 36 V
Maximum output current per motor: 1.8 A continuous, 6.4 A peak for <1 second
Reverse-voltage protection on motor power supply (down to -40 V)
Logic voltage range: 3.0 V to 5.5 V
Control interface:
- M2T256: I²C (up to 400 kHz)
- M2U256: non-inverted TTL serial (up to 250 kbps)
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 Arduino stops functioning
Configurable automatic error response
Motor power supply (VIN) voltage measurement
Two status LEDs
Motor direction indicator LEDs
Error output for easier detection of error conditions
Motoron Arduino library simplifies getting started using the Motoron with an Arduino or compatible controller
Comprehensive user’s guide

A Raspberry Pi Pico on a breadboard using a Motoron M2T256/M2U256 Dual Motor Controller to control two motors.

The Motoron family

The tables below list the members of the Motoron family and show the key differences among them. Each type is available in several versions to provide different options for the through-hole connectors: they can be purchased as an assembled product with connectors soldered in, as a kit with connectors included but not soldered in, or (for Arduino and Raspberry Pi expansions) as a standalone board without connectors.

Motoron motor controllers micro versions

	M2T256	M2U256
Control interface:	I²C	UART serial
Motor channels:	2 (dual)
Absolute max input voltage:	48 V
Recommended max nominal battery voltage:	36 V
Max continuous current per channel:	1.8 A
Available versions:	headers soldered headers included	headers soldered headers included

Motoron motor controllers Arduino and Raspberry Pi form factor versions

	M3S256 M3H256	M2S24v14 M2H24v14	M2S24v16 M2H24v16	M2S18v18 M2H18v18	M2S18v20 M2H18v20
Control interface:	I²C
Motor channels:	3 (triple)	2 (dual)
Absolute max input voltage:	48 V	40 V		30 V
Recommended max nominal battery voltage:	36 V	28 V		18 V
Max continuous current per channel:	2 A	14 A	16 A	18 A	20 A
Available versions for Arduino:	M3S256 assembled kit board only	M2S24v14 assembled kit board only	M2S24v16 assembled kit board only	M2S18v18 assembled kit board only	M2S18v20 assembled kit board only
Available versions for Raspberry Pi:	M3H256 assembled kit board only	M2H24v14 assembled kit board only	M2H24v16 assembled kit board only	M2H18v18 assembled kit board only	M2H18v20 assembled kit board only

Dimensions

Size:	0.6" x 0.8"
Weight:	2.5 g

General specifications

Channels:	2
Model:	Motoron M2U256
Control interface:	non-inverted TTL serial (UART)
Minimum operating voltage:	4.5 V
Maximum operating voltage:	48 V¹
Continuous output current per channel:	1.8 A
Peak output current per channel:	6.4 A
Reverse voltage protection?:	Y²
Header pins soldered?:	Y

Identifying markings

PCB dev codes:	mc2u42a
Other PCB markings:	0J13891

Notes:

1: Absolute maximum; higher voltages can permanently destroy the motor drivers. Recommended maximum nominal battery voltage is approximately 36 V, which leaves a safety margin for ripple voltage on the supply line.
2: Note: Reverse voltage protection only works up to 40 V.

Documentation and other information

Pololu Motoron Motor Controller User’s Guide

User’s manual for the Pololu Motoron Motor Controllers.

File downloads

Dimension diagram of the Motoron M2x256 Dual Motor Controller (322k pdf)
3D model of the Motoron M2x256 Dual Motor Controller (7MB step)
Drill guide for the Motoron M2x256 Dual Motor Controller (16k dxf)

This DXF drawing shows the locations of all of the board’s holes.

Recommended links

This product is listed in:

Breakouts & Modules>Motor Drivers & Controllers>Brushed DC Motor Controllers

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