Not recommended for new designs: Pololu strongly recommend Pololu's newer and better (and
smaller) Jrk G2 18v19 and Jrk G2 24v13 USB motor controllers with
feedback over this controller, as they offer increased power and many other improvements at the same price.
(Even higher-power G2 18v27 and G2 24v21 versions are also available.)
Pololu are
continuing to offer the Jrk 12v12 for now as a legacy product for those with systems designed specifically for
this controller. However, please note that the motor driver IC used on the Jrk 12v12 has been discontinued, so
Pololu will not be able to manufacture this product once Pololu's supply of that IC runs out.
The Jrk 12v12 is a versatile, general-purpose motor controller that supports a variety of interfaces, including USB. The 6 V to 16 V operating range and high continuous output current of 12 A (30 A peak) allow this board to control many medium-sized DC brushed motors. Analog voltage and tachometer (frequency) feedback options allow quick implementation of closed-loop servo systems, and a free configuration utility (for Windows) allows easy calibration and configuration through the USB port. A USB A to mini-B cable (not included) is required to connect this controller to a computer.
Key improvements over competing products and earlier Pololu motor controllers with feedback include:
The table below lists the members of the Jrk family, including the original (green) and newer G2 (black) versions, and shows the key differences among them.
Jrk 21v3 |
Jrk 12v12 |
Jrk G2 21v3 |
Jrk G2 18v19 |
Jrk G2 24v13 |
Jrk G2 18v27 |
Jrk G2 24v21 |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Recommended max operating voltage: |
28 V(1) | 16 V | 28 V(1) | 24 V(2) | 34 V(3) | 24 V(2) | 34 V(3) |
Max nominal battery voltage: |
24 V | 12 V | 24 V | 18 V | 28 V | 18 V | 28 V |
Max continuous current (no additional cooling): |
2.5 A* | 12 A | 2.6 A | 19 A | 13 A | 27 A | 21 A |
USB, TTL serial, Analog, RC control: |
|||||||
I²C control: | |||||||
Hardware current limiting: | |||||||
Dimensions: | 1.35" × 1.35" | 1.85" × 1.35" | 1.0" × 1.2" | 1.4" × 1.2" | 1.7" × 1.2" | ||
1 Transient operation
(< 500 ms) up to 40 V. 2 30 V absolute max. 3 40 V absolute max. * Reduced from “3 A” based on newer, more stringent tests. The value now is directly comparable to the rating for the newer G2 21v3. |
Main Features of the Jrk 12v12
Specifications
Motor channels: | 1 |
---|---|
Operating voltage: | 6 V to 16 V |
Continuous output current: | 12 A |
Peak output current: | 30 A |
Auto-detect baud rate range: | 300 bps to 115,200 bps |
Available fixed baud rates: | 300 bps to 115,200 bps |
Available PWM frequencies: | 20 kHz, 5 kHz |
Reverse voltage protection?: | Yes |
USB connector style: | USB Mini-B |
The Jrk 12v12 is the larger of two Jrk motor controllers. For a lower-power version that has a wider operating voltage range, see the Jrk 21v3.
Included Hardware
|
|
The Jrk ships with a straight 0.1" breakaway male header strip and two 5mm, 2-pin terminal blocks. To provide maximum flexibility, none of these parts are soldered to the board.
For the most compact installation, you can solder wires directly to the Jrk pads themselves and skip using the included hardware. The included hardware allows you to make less permanent connections. You can break the header strip into smaller pieces, such as an 8×1 piece and two 3×1 pieces, and solder these strips into the Jrk’s I/O pads.
The three mounting holes are intended for use with #2 screws (not included).
Firmware change notice: The latest firmware version for the Jrk 12v12, version 1.4, changes the way the motor is controlled when the duty cycle is set to 0. All Jrk 12v12s manufactured after August 24, 2012 ship with this new firmware version. You can tell what version of the firmware you have by running the Jrk Configuration Utility. See the Upgrading Firmware section of the user’s guide for more information.
People often buy this product together with:
Mounting Bracket for Glideforce Light-Duty Linear Actuators - Aluminum |
Dimensions
Size: | 1.35" x 1.85" |
---|---|
Weight: | 0.5 oz |
General specifications
Motor driver: | VNH2SP30 |
---|---|
Motor channels: | 1 |
Control interface: | USB; non-inverted TTL serial; RC servo pulses; analog voltage1 |
Minimum operating voltage: | 6 V |
Maximum operating voltage: | 16 V |
Continuous output current per channel: | 12 A |
Peak output current per channel: | 30 A |
Current sense: | 0.13 V/A2 |
Maximum PWM frequency: | 20 kHz |
Minimum logic voltage: | 4 V3 |
Maximum logic voltage: | 5 V |
Reverse voltage protection?: | Y |
Version: | original 12v12 (16 V max, 12 A max continuous) |
Notes:
Documentation and other information
Pololu Jrk USB Motor Controller User’s Guide (Printable PDF)
The user’s guide for the Jrk 21v3 USB Motor Controller and the Jrk 12v12 USB Motor Controller.
Pololu USB Software Development Kit
The Pololu USB SDK contains example code for making your own applications that use native USB to control the Jrk Motor Controller, Maestro Servo Controller, Simple Motor Controller, or USB AVR Programmer.
Application Note: Using AutoHotkey with Pololu USB Products (Printable PDF)
An application note about using AutoHotkey for Windows to control Pololu USB products.
File downloads
Jrk Motor Controller Windows Drivers and Software (release 121204) (5MB zip)
This ZIP archive contains the installation files for the Jrk Configuration Utility, the Jrk command-line utility (JrkCmd), and the Jrk drivers for Microsoft Windows.
Dimension diagram of the Pololu Jrk 12v12 USB Motor Controller with Feedback (510k pdf)
3D model of the Pololu Jrk 12v12 USB Motor Controller with Feedback (8MB step)
Pololu Jrk 12v12 USB Motor Controller with Feedback drill guide (113k dxf)
This DXF drawing shows the locations of all of the board’s holes.
Recommended links
A spooky animatronic skeleton using the Jrk USB Motor Controller. See the final result. By Mark Goodson, October 2009.
A replica of the famous Star Wars droid R2D2 that uses the Jrk USB Motor Controller for position control. See the video which shows the Jrk Configuration Utility in action, or read the blog post which has more information. By ggpipe, February 2010.
The Microsoft .NET Framework version 3.5 is required for many Pololu configuration, control, and utility programs under Windows. Most computers will have this installed already or can automatically install it over the internet, but you can also get .NET 3.5 directly from Microsoft at this link. If you are installing on a computer without internet access, make sure to get the Full Redistributable Package.
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