Overview, Key features – Pololu Simple User Manual
Page 3
Simple Motor Controllers.
Simple High-Power Motor Controller 18v25 or 24v23 simplified
connection diagram.
1. Overview
The Pololu Simple Motor Controllers are versatile, general-purpose motor
controllers for brushed, DC motors. A wide operating range of up to 5.5–40V
and the ability to deliver up to several hundred Watts in a small form factor
make these controllers suitable for many motor control applications. With a
variety of supported interfaces—USB for direct connection to a computer,
TTL serial for use with embedded systems, RC hobby servo pulses for use as
an RC-controlled electronic speed control (ESC), and analog voltages for use
with a potentiometer or analog joystick—and a wide array of configurable
settings, these motor controllers make it easy to add basic control of brushed
DC motors to a variety of projects. Although this motor controller has many
more features than competing products, a free configuration utility (for
Windows 8, 7, Vista, Windows XP, and Linux) simplifies initial setup of the
device and allows for in-system testing and monitoring of the controller via
USB.
For 24 V applications, we recommend the 24v12 or 24v23 versions. We strongly recommend against using
the 18v7, 18v15, or 18v25 with 24 V batteries, which can significantly exceed 24 V when fully charged
and are dangerously close to the maximum voltage limits of these lower-voltage controllers. Using a 24 V
battery with an 18vX Simple Motor Controller makes the device much more susceptible to damage from
power supply noise or LC voltage spikes.
Key Features
• Simple bidirectional control of
one DC brush motor.
• 5.5 V to 30 V (18v7, 18v15, and
18v25) or 40 V (24v12 and 24v23)
operating supply range.
• 7 A to 25 A maximum continuous
current output without a heat sink,
depending on controller model
• Four communication or control
options:
1. USB
interface
for
direct
connection to a PC.
2. Logic-level
(TTL)
serial
interface for direct connection to
microcontrollers
or
other
embedded controllers.
3. Hobby radio control (RC) pulse width interface for direct connection to an RC receiver or
4. 0–3.3 V analog voltage interface for direct connection to potentiometers and analog joysticks.
• Simple configuration and calibration over USB with free configuration program (Windows 8, 7, Vista,
Windows XP, and Linux compatible).
Pololu Simple Motor Controller User's Guide
© 2001–2014 Pololu Corporation
1. Overview
Page 3 of 101