# Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi (No Connectors or Standoffs)

**Type:** Product page · **SKU:** POLOLU-5035 · **Brand:** [Pololu](https://core-electronics.com.au/brands/pololu-australia)
**Page:** https://core-electronics.com.au/motoron-m3h256-triple-motor-controller-for-raspberry-pi-no-connectors-or-standoffs.html ([markdown](https://core-electronics.com.au/motoron-m3h256-triple-motor-controller-for-raspberry-pi-no-connectors-or-standoffs.html.md))

The Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller makes it easy to control DC motors from a Raspberry Pi (Model B+ or newer) through an I²C interface. Each...

## Pricing

- **Price:** $58.10 (inc GST) — $52.82 AUD, exc GST
- **Quantity discounts:** 6+ $50.71 (exc GST) · 12+ $49.12 (exc GST)

## Availability & dispatch

- Available with a lead time — expect dispatch between Aug 25 and Aug 28.

## Description

The Motoron M3H256 add-on board makes it easy to control up to three bidirectional, brushed DC [motors](https://core-electronics.com.au/components/motors/metal-gearmotors.html) with a compatible Raspberry Pi (Model B+ or newer). It operates from 4.5 V to 48 V and can deliver continuous output currents up to 2 A per motor. The M3H256 is designed to stack on top of a Raspberry Pi (Model B+ or newer), similar to a HAT (Hardware Attached on Top), and multiple Motoron controllers can be stacked on top of each other, allowing independent control of many motors. Unlike most of Pololu's [motor drivers](https://core-electronics.com.au/breakout-boards-and-modules/motor-drivers-controllers/brushed-dc-motor-drivers.html) and motor driver [expansion boards for Raspberry Pi](https://core-electronics.com.au/catalogsearch/result/?q=pi+motor), 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.

 | [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11683_42508c38e0f.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11683_106738aed98.png) |
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Three M3H256 versions are available to provide different options for the through-hole connectors:

- [Motoron M3H256 with soldered stackable headers and terminal blocks](https://core-electronics.com.au/motoron-m3h256-triple-motor-controller-for-raspberry-pi-connectors-soldered.html)
- [Motoron M3H256 with headers and terminal blocks included but not soldered in](https://core-electronics.com.au/motoron-m3h256-triple-motor-controller-kit-for-raspberry-pi.html)
- [Motoron M3H256 without any headers, terminal blocks, or mounting hardware included](https://core-electronics.com.au/motoron-m3h256-triple-motor-controller-for-raspberry-pi-no-connectors-or-standoffs.html)
 
For applications using an Arduino or compatible controller, consider the [Motoron M3S256](https://core-electronics.com.au/motoron-m3s256-triple-motor-controller-shield-kit-for-arduino.html) instead (also available with different connector options).

 **Details for item #5035**

 | [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11671_60430bf713c.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11671_472612f0a05.jpg) |
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| Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi (No Connectors or Standoffs). |

This Motoron version is just the assembled PCB module as shown above, with no connectors or mounting hardware included. This version is intended for those who mostly want to solder wires directly to the board or use different connectors from those included with other versions. Pololu have a variety of [connectors](https://core-electronics.com.au/connectors-sockets.html) available separately.

 | \| [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11679_23428ea891a.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11679_401880a37f5.jpg) \| \|---\| \| An Arduino Micro on a breadboard using a Motoron M3H256 to control three motors. \| | \| [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11678_25911033b20.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11678_463913d90ac.jpg) \| \|---\|---\| \| A Motoron M3H256 being controlled by a Raspberry Pi. \| |
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 | [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11681_42676828cf8.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11681_142650b2859.png) |
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| Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi pinout. |

**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 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](https://core-electronics.com.au/components/voltage-regulators.html) (not included)
- Two status LEDs
- Motor direction indicator LEDs
- [Motoron Python library](https://github.com/pololu/motoron-rpi) simplifies getting started using the Motoron with a Raspberry Pi
- Comprehensive user’s guide
 
**Dimensions**

 | Size: | 32.5 mm × 56 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 8.5 g |

**General specifications**

 | Channels: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Model: | Motoron M3H256 |
| Control interface: | I²C |
| Minimum operating voltage: | 4.5 V |
| Maximum operating voltage: | 48 V[1](https://core-electronics.com.au/#note1) |
| Continuous output current per channel: | 2 A |
| Peak output current per channel: | 6.4 A |
| Reverse voltage protection?: | Y[2](https://core-electronics.com.au/#note2) |
| Connectors soldered?: | N |

**Identifying markings**

 | PCB dev codes: | mc3h42a |
|---|---|
| Other PCB markings: | 0J13654 |

**Notes:**

1Not recommended for use with 48V batteries.2Note: Reverse voltage protection only works up to 40 V. **Documentation and other information**

- ![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J11628_582262abc3.jpg)**Pololu Motoron Motor Controller User’s Guide ([Printable PDF](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/motoron_10225fc9a94.pdf))**
    
    User’s manual for the Pololu Motoron Motor Controllers.
 
**File downloads**

- **[Dimension diagram of the Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/motoron-m3h256-triple-motor-controller-for-raspberry-pi-dimensions_314051b4374.pdf) (314k pdf)**
- **3D model of the Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi (14MB step)**
- **Drill guide for the Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi (119k dxf)**
    
    This DXF drawing shows the locations of all of the board’s holes.
 
**Recommended links**

- **[Motoron Motor Controller Python library for Raspberry Pi](https://github.com/pololu/motoron-rpi)**

## Images

- [Product image 1](https://core-electronics.com.au/media/catalog/product/P/O/POLOLU-5035-1.jpg)