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Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller Kit for Raspberry Pi

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Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller Kit for Raspberry Pi

SKU: POLOLU-5034 Brand: Pololu

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...

$69.95 AUD, inc GST

$63.59 AUD, exc GST

Available with a lead time
Expect dispatch between May 27 and May 29

Quantity Discounts:

6-12 $61.68 (exc GST)
12+ $60.41 (exc GST)

The Motoron M3H256 add-on board makes it easy to control up to three bidirectional, brushed DC motors 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 and motor driver expansion boards for 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.

Three M3H256 versions are available to provide different options for the through-hole connectors:

For applications using an Arduino or compatible controller, consider the Motoron M3S256 instead (also available with different connector options).

Details for item #5034

Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller Kit for Raspberry Pi.

This version of the Motoron is a kit that ships with the following connectors included but not soldered in:

Two 1×10 stackable female headers (or one 2×10 header)
Four 2-pin 3.5mm terminal blocks
Four 2-pin 5mm screw terminal blocks
One 1×25 breakaway male header (you can cut or break this into smaller header strips to install as desired)

It also 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.

There are more connectors included than can be soldered to the board, providing different assembly options to suit a variety of applications. Additional connector options are available separately, and you can also solder wires directly to the board for more compact installations.

Note: For applications where the Motoron will be used as a standalone board or at the top of an add-on board stack, it can be assembled with the included 0.1" male header pins and larger (5.0mm-pitch) blue terminal blocks. For applications where the Motoron will be one of the intermediate members of a stack of add-on boards, Pololu recommend assembling it with the stackable headers and smaller (3.5mm-pitch) green terminal blocks (just like Pololu's version with connectors already soldered). The terminal blocks are intended to be soldered to the larger through-holes for the power and motor connections, and the blue ones should get locked together prior to installation (see Pololu's short video on terminal block installation).

An Arduino Micro on a breadboard using a Motoron M3H256 to control three motors.

A Motoron M3H256 being controlled by a Raspberry Pi.

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 (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

Dimensions

Size:	32.5 mm × 56 mm
Weight:	8.5 g¹

General specifications

Channels:	3
Model:	Motoron M3H256
Control interface:	I²C
Minimum operating voltage:	4.5 V
Maximum operating voltage:	48 V²
Continuous output current per channel:	2 A
Peak output current per channel:	6.4 A
Reverse voltage protection?:	Y³
Connectors soldered?:	N

Identifying markings

PCB dev codes:	mc3h42a
Other PCB markings:	0J13654

Notes:

1: PCB assembly only, without optional included headers, terminal blocks, or standoffs.
2: Not recommended for use with 48V batteries.
3: Note: Reverse voltage protection only works up to 40 V.

Documentation and other information

Pololu Motoron Motor Controller User’s Guide (Printable PDF)

User’s manual for the Pololu Motoron Motor Controllers.

File downloads

Dimension diagram of the Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi (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

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