Hello I am very new to using Arduinos, and really working with electronics in general so I have a few questions about a project I am currently working on.
For this project I am trying to get a Lamborghini R/C car to use Bluetooth signaling, have functioning tail and head lights, as well as possibly designing a gearbox and differential to add manual shifting capabilities.
I am trying to run all these functionalities through an Arduino Uno and am having trouble with integration of the 6V DC motors that control the steering and power to the car. I have done some research and learned that you cannot simply plug the motors directly into a port on the Arduino because there is too great of a current draw from the motors. However, the only solution I have found to this problem is to implement a Breadboard and transistors to step down the amperes required to run the motors.
This presents a issue for me because I have limited space inside of the car and I would like to keep all new components contained within the original frame of the car. So my main question is, is there anyway to run two 6V DC motors through an Arduino Uno without the implementation of a Breadboard? and if there is a way, what additional products would I need to ensure that running the motors does not damage the Arduino?
There are small dual motor driver breakout boards (modules). Check Pololu DC motor drivers. Choose a driver based on the motor power supply voltage and the motor stall current specification.
Both motors that came stock with the car are unmarked (no serial number or identifiers of any kind), is there any of those driver breakout boards that are more general/cover a larger range of power and current inputs that could insure that the needs of my motors are met or are they all pretty specific?
Also, secondary question in the original setup the two motors have small ceramic capacitors attached, should I keep those attached even after attaching the motor driver boards?
To choose a proper motor driver the motor power supply voltage and the stall current needs to be known. The stall current can be several times the running current. To estimate the stall current, measure the motor winding resistance with your DMM. Take several measurements rotating the motor a bit between readings. Use the lowest reading in the calculation. The estimated stall current is the motor supply voltage divided by the measured resistance.
Keep the caps. They help to keep motor noise from the power supply.