Dc Motors Cut Out Power

Hi all

Im currently running a stepper motor and 6 DC Motors. The stepper motor is continuously on and running from a 12v power supply via the VIN pin and the DC Motors are only triggered one at a time from the 5V pin. However, when the DC Motors are turned on (via a microswitch), the Stepper motor stalls for about 3 seconds then starts again. The DC Motor does not loose power. When the DC Motor is turned on, causing the stalling of the stepper, the L, TX and RX LEDs flash on the Arduino board (Uno).

Is something shorting/back currenting and the Arduino protecting itself by resetting? Do I need to use capacitors or diodes anywhere to prevent this, if so, where in the circuit?

Any help appreciated

Cheers

It definitely sounds like your Arduino is resetting due to the surge in current caused by turning a DC motor on. It's tough to figure out exactly what's going on without some kind of diagram showing how you've got things hooked up.

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The Aussie Shield: breakout all 28 pins to quick-connect terminals

Here it is, does that make any sense?

Obviously the 4 pins from the transistor array go to the Ardunio for stepping control

Where does the Arduino get its power?

Also, try to keep the ground wiring as separate as possible for the DC motor and the Arduino, like this:

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The Rugged Motor Driver: two H-bridges, more power than an L298, fully protected

Thanks, ill give it a go

Its powered by a 12V power supply going into the power jack

Power the DC motors from a separate regulator, not the onboard regulator on the Arduino board, that is v. bad practice (motors generate damaging spikes and crowbar the supply voltage).

Thanks alot, running the DCs off a separate battery pack now, working great

Cheers