Arduino and MOSFET Driver Module

Other Hardware Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
1

For my project I am trying to use a motor to turn a fan. I understand that the Arduino cannot be directly connected to a motor because it can’t handle the current. My solution to this is to use a IRF520 MOSFET driver module to solve this problem. I also am powering the Arduino using a 12v dc battery adapter. My question is, can I power the motor using the 12v from the Arduino, or do I need another external source for the motor to go into the driver module.

Driver module: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07F7SV84V?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

12v Dc adapter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B078PHVT3X?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Motor: https://www.amazon.com/AUTOTOOLHOME-Torque-Traxxas-Wheels-Electric/dp/B01M58POHF/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=mini+dc+motor&qid=1607005971&sr=8-4

2

The IRF520 MOSFET isn't logic level and has very high on-resistance - totally unsuitable.

A logic-level MOSFET with something like 30 milliohms or less on-resistance might be
suitable, depending on the current requirements.

You also need to find out the stall current of that motor (don't risk buying motors without
proper specification data!).

Your battery pack and MOSFET should be rated to handle the full stall current (which is typically
10 times the nominal running current of a motor).

"High torque" motors implies a high current rating. [ that said nearly every motor is described
as "high torque" !! ]

3

I think you may have made a poor motor selection for your application (fan) - no load is showing .24A and max efficiency is 1.55 amps. 1.5V batteries aren't going to put out that sort of amperage for very long, and your Mosfet driver is also only good to 1Amp before needing a heat sink (and it looks likely that you'd exceed the 1amp depending how big a fan you went with).
Your original question though - Yes you could power both the Arduino and your motor with that power pack - BUT you'd want to split out the power separately (Arduino doesn't have a 12V out to work from and certainly no pins that you'd want to put 1+amps through. ) The way I've handled this for my projects has been to get a power to terminal converter and a buck converter - Then I run 12V to whatever needs the 12V and use the buck converter to supply 5V for the Arduino through the Arduino's 5V pin.

Adapter:

Buck Converter:

4

Thanks chibman for your response. I’m new to this kind of stuff and I didn’t fully understand what was going on. Is it bad that the motor’s max efficiency is at 1.55 amps if I’m using it for a lightweight item like my propellor which is about 15 grams, which I 3d printed using pla.

For my project the reason I used a battery pack is because my project is going to be portable. How long do you think the one I’m using will last at max efficiency.

When I do use the buck converter and terminal converter, would I still need some kind of driver module to power the motor?

5

What are you planning that Arduino will do with the motor? Do you need to control its speed or just switch it on and off?

RS390s are not efficient motors. With ANY load that motor at full speed is likely to draw 3-5A or more. With standard AA batteries you'd be lucky to get that much out and if you did they are likely to last only about 10-15 minutes before the motor slows to a crawl.

BTW the load on the motor from a propeller has little to do with it's weight and a lot more to do with how much air it is moving.

Steve