Power Supply Plan: Arduino with 9V & Motors with 6AA Battery – Need Feedback

[rn_karki]

Hi everyone,

I've revised my project’s power scheme and would appreciate some input on the new plan. Here's what I'm thinking:

Arduino: Powered by a 9V battery.
MPU6050 Sensor & IR Module: Both will be powered from the Arduino’s 5V pin since they have minimal current/voltage requirements.
Servos & L298N Motor Driver: The servos and the motor driver (which will control 4 geared motors) will be powered by a separate 6AA battery pack.

My main questions are:

1. Is it safe and effective to power the sensors (MPU6050 & IR module) from the Arduino’s 5V pin in this configuration will it still power the Arduino or will it reset due to not enough power being supplied?
2. Are there any potential issues with using the 6AA battery pack for the servos and L298N driver (especially regarding voltage drop or current demands)?
3. Do you have any suggestions for ensuring proper grounding and avoiding interference between the two separate power sources?

I’d really appreciate any wiring tips, potential pitfalls to watch out for, or alternative suggestions if necessary.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[kmin]

@rn_karki

Are there any potential issues with using the 6AA battery pack for the servos and L298N driver (especially regarding voltage drop or current demands)?

6AA alkalines make 9V. Sounds high for servo. Also L298N has a voltage drop ~2V. Is 7V good for your motors.
What's the current draw of your motors and servos?

@rn_karki

Do you have any suggestions for ensuring proper grounding

Make sure both GNDs are connected at one point.

[rn_karki]

The servo draws around 100-250 mA under light to moderate load and for the motors, it's like under light load it's 300mA-500mA.

Also, what do you mean by both GNDs are connected at one point like, I understand that the l298N has to have a common ground with the Arduino but does the battery also have a common ground with the Arduino?

[kmin]

@rn_karki

The servo draws around 100-250 mA under light to moderate load and for the motors, it's like under light load it's 300mA-500mA.

Look, if you want suggestions, you need to provide all the specs for your servos and motors.
Links to datasheets are the best.

@rn_karki

Also, what do you mean by both GNDs are connected at one point like, I understand that the l298N has to have a common ground with the Arduino but does the battery also have a common ground with the Arduino?

Yes, both GNDs have to be connected at some point. That point can be on L298N.
Make a circuit drawing / schematic if you have doubts.

[rn_karki]

Here are the datasheets for the motor and the servo motor

Motor datasheet

Servo datasheet

[sonofcy]

The only way to know if it is safe to power those two sensors is for you to post links to the datasheets.
I would swap the L298 driver (toaster) for a modern MOSFET type, like the TB6612FNG.
Connect ALL grounds at a common point.

[kmin]

@rn_karki

Here are the datasheets for the motor and the servo motor

6AA alkaline would be too high for both.
If you need to power them from same battery without converters, 4AA (6V) is best choice.

And another vote for TB6612FNG

[rn_karki]

So you mean that 4AA would solve all of the problems for the servo and motor with good wiring and what do you think like will the two other components like the IR receiver and the MPU6050 will operate perfectly from the 5V output pin from the Arduino without the Arduino resetting?

MPU6050IR receiver module

Also the thing with buying TBB6612FNG is that it would make my budget go way up cause for the competition I need to be within the budget of $100, will alternatives like L298D work fine?

[kmin]

@rn_karki

So you mean that 4AA would solve all of the problems for the servo and motor with good wiring and what do you think like will the two other components like the IR receiver and the MPU6050 will operate perfectly from the 5V output pin from the Arduino without the Arduino resetting?

I don't know how many servos you have.
And if you use L298, the motors are getting only 4V (rated 3-6V). TB6612 would be much better. They are available for few dollars.
Also, use premium quality batteries.

Your MPU and IR are ok powered from arduino, but you need to verify the correct voltage of MPU. Your link opens IR receiver.

[rn_karki]

I am using 2 servos and for the motor driver does the TB6612 control 4 dc motors?

Here is the link for the MPU datasheet

MPU

[kmin]

@rn_karki

and for the motor driver does the TB6612 control 4 dc motors?

One driver can control 2 motors individually, just like L298.

@rn_karki

Here is the link for the MPU datasheet

Yeah, but it's just for the chip. You need specs of your module, just to verify voltage.

[rn_karki]

Hey just found this information for the MPU6050:

MPU6050 Features

MEMS 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope values combined
Power Supply: 3-5V
Communication: I2C protocol
Built-in 16-bit ADC provides high accuracy
Built-in DMP provides high computational power
It can be used to interface with other IIC devices like magnetometer
Configurable IIC Address
In-built Temperature sensor

MPU information website

[kmin]

Then you are OK powering it from arduino 5V.

[rn_karki]

Hey, I found this TB6612FNG motor driver. Do I need to solder it myself?

TB6612FNG

[kmin]

Looks like that...

[rn_karki]

Can I wire two TB6612 using the same digital pints? to move forward backward right left

[grb]

@rn_karki

Do I need to solder it myself?

If you don't mind the higher price tag, you can purchase a version with soldered headers:

SparkFun Motor Driver - Dual TB6612FNG (with Headers)