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Quorten Blog 1

First blog for all Quorten's blog-like writings

So, yeah I’ve previously noted that there are 3.3 V motor driver ICs available on the modern market, but I have not yet found an actual module for purchase. I’ve got to search out such models.

20181125/DuckDuckGo 3.3 v logic motor driver

Ah, yes, there are some modules available from Pololu that can run off of 3.3 V logic.

20181125/https://forum.pololu.com/t/high-power-motor-drivers-for-3-3v-micros/8572

There a line of “high-power” motor drivers and another one of “simple” motor drivers. What makes the simple motor drivers “simple” is that they include lots of interface options to make it easy for inexperienced hobbyists to get something up and running quickly. Unfortunately, those interfaces increase the cost and complexity of the board, not to mention that they are redundant since you will only be using one of the many interfaces available. So, that being said, go with the “high-power” motor driver instead of the “simple” one as it is cheaper and more straight to the point.

20181130/https://www.pololu.com/product/2992
20181130/https://www.pololu.com/category/94/pololu-simple-motor-controllers

Almost, but not quite. This one requires 5 V logic too.

20181125/http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/21421E.pdf

Now, here’s the back story. Recently, there has beeen a lot of good new motor control ICs coming on the market, but all of them are packaged as surface-mount technology (SMT). This is one of the reasons why some of the newer modules are more difficult to search for and come by.

There is also a Toshiba TB6612FNG IC available that runs off of 3.3 V, but the principal packaging is surface-mount technology (SMT). Previously there was at least one reseller that soldered this onto a PCB with through holes for you to mount with modular hobbyist electronic designs, but the referenced URL is out of stock, unfortunately.

20181125/https://www.reddit.com/r/electronics/comments/i4y6m/motor_controller_for_6v_motors_and_33v_logic/
20181125/https://web.archive.org/web/20120129170648/http://www.solarbotics.com:80/products/50646