How to power three peristaltic pumps?

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello all,

I'm starting my first real Arduino project and need some help. I need to run three of these pumps... https://www.adafruit.com/product/1150 . Wondering what I need to buy in order to get these to run properly off the arduino. Any help is greatly appreciated,

Thanks,

Scott

2

To run the pumps in only one direction a N channel MOSFET driver with a flyback diode would work. Select a MOSFET that will handle the motor stall current.

If the motor needs to be reversable, a H-bridge motor driver is required.

3

Here is a N channel MOSFET driver.

dc motor driver.jpg
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This Pololu dual H-bridge motor driver would probably work fine for your motors if you want reverse..

Do not be tempted to use the ancient an inefficient L293 or L298 drivers. They are cheap but lack many modern features of the drivers like the one that I linked.

4

Thanks! So I should be good with two of those, a breadboard, and some wires. I'll probably be back on in about a week with coding questions.

5

Hi,
You will also need a power supply for the pumps, the Arduino controller can control them, but not supply the current they need.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

  • Uses approx 4mm outer diameter, 2mm inner silicone tubing, the pump tube size has changed on us, so please measure the tubing that comes with your pump to verify!
  • Working Temperature: 0℃ - 40 ℃
  • Motor voltage: 12VDC
  • Motor current: 200-300mA
  • Flow rate: up to 100 mL/min
  • Weight: 200 grams
  • Dimensions: 27mm diameter motor, 72mm total length
  • Mounting holes: 2.7mm diameter, 50mm center-to-center distance

So three pumps will need 3 x 300 = 900mA, so you will need at least a 12V 1A power supply for the pumps.
2A preferably as a load safety margin and for any other peripherals you may add.

Tom.. :slight_smile:

6

This should work, right?

7

Hi,

Adafruit Motor/Stepper/Servo Shield for Arduino v2 Kit - v2.3

Yes that will control up to 4 motors, but you will need a separate motor power supply, which that board has terminals for.

Tom.. :slight_smile:

8

It'll do - and it's overkill. I don't see any reason to run a peristaltic pump on any less than full power (so at least you know how much liquid it is dispensing per time), so a simple and cheap MOSFET driver is all you really need.

Do add filtering caps (C1 in the circuit), preferably right at the motor terminals.