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[on:]

Hi, I'm trying to drive a DC motor with this motor driver:
http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/l298-dual-hbridge-motor-driver-p-284.html?cPath=170_173
The problem is, that when it's all powered from USB only (using only a small motor without load) everything works fine and I am getting serial readouts on monitor. But when I connect external power source to driver, of course connect PSU's and Arduino's grounds together, well, it still runs.. Arduino is still okay with controlling the driver, reacts to button inputs from breadboard, but the usb communication drops. I can still see Arduino in device manager, but IDE is stating that COM port was not found and TX/RX LED's on arduino board are also reporting zero activity. I have to disconnect the ext. PSU, restart IDE and reconnect Arduino, and only then is serial communication back online.
Got any help? I just can't find what is wrong... 

[Reply #1 on:]

Schematic Please

[Reply #2 on:]

Something like this.. I'm not using exactly Pololu driver, but the wiring is the same. Arduino is connected to USB & there are more of the indicated buttons on the +5V/ground rail.

[Reply #3 on:]

If you have a connection from the Drive +5V to the Arduino +5 volts, disconnect it.

[Reply #4 on:]

Well, the driver has Vin pin as the motor power input and the +5V pin for powering logic. Datasheet says it doesn't need to be connected if motor power input is over 7V, but I'm using 6V PSU for motors in this case, so I need to power the logic separately... and the arduino's +5V output looked quite tempting

[Reply #5 on:]

On the other hand, supply the +5 volts to the driver using an external 5 volt supply, not the Arduino's +5 volts.

[Reply #6 on:]

Thanks a lot! I managed to find some additional 5V PSU for powering driver logic and it fixed the problem. But I still fail to see why is problematic to use the Arduino's 5V output in first place..

[Reply #7 on:]

There are current limitations to the Arduino hardware.

[Reply #8 on:]

I'm well aware of that. But the current draw of driver logic should not exceed some tens of mA, while Arduino on USB should be able to source up to 500mA on +5V pin

[Reply #9 on:]

Just measured it, current draw is 30mA.. should be no problem even for an IO pin I think the problem lies somewhere in the connected grounds of external PSU and USB.