Questions about power ratings for a line follower

Projects General Guidance
1

Dipping my toes into this for the first time and so far, as I'm trying to make this line follower where I'm trying to prioritize speed and minimize weight, and these are the parts I've picked out thus far:

  • Arduino Nano
  • 2x N20 1000 RPM 12V Gear Motors
  • TB6612FNG
  • MP1584
  • QTR 8RC IR Array
  • 3x 18650 3.7V Li-ion batteries
  • 3D Printed Chasis, Polulu Wheels, Caster Ball, Motor Holders, etc.

I have the IR Array, nano, motors and the misc body parts already (a rash decision before barely doing any research). However, I've been struggling to make head or tail of powering the whole thing, and didn't want to waste money without further insight. Would it be a good idea to use my 11.1V to directly power the TB6612FNG for driving the motors, as well as feeding the power supply into the buck converter, whose regulated 5V output is going to power the nano and the QTR array?

Apologies for my ignorance.

2

Yes.

3

Generally we do the design first, resolve the potential problems then purchase the parts we need. That is much easier then taking a bunch of parts and try to make something out of them. The following will help us help you:

Annotated Schematics: These are essential because they show exactly how your circuit is set up. Without them, it's difficult for anyone to understand what you’ve done, which makes troubleshooting nearly impossible. Fritzing diagrams or unclear pictures are not enough.

Technical Information: Many modules look similar and may even have the same name, but they can function differently. This is why we always ask for links to detailed technical information—not just sales pages like those on Amazon, which often lack the specifics we need.

Post your Software Without that we do not have a clue as to how it is expected to operate. Be sure to use code tags.

Show All Connections: It’s important to include every connection, especially power, ground and power sources in your schematic. Missing these details makes it hard to determine if a setup issue might be causing your problem.

I realize you are just starting so do the above one at a time, probably the best starting point is the schematic. Do not expect it to be without errors on the first few tries. If you need CAD (Computer Aided Drawing) you can get KiCad for the downloading. It is a complete package without limits for free although they will ask for a donation.