Hi all, I am planning to run two DC motors using the L293D Motor Driver Dual H-Bridge, and I had a question about power source. I am aware that I should not be directly powering the motors off the Arduino pins, but I need some help in prototyping so that I can get a code written and tested. I currently have a 9V attachment coming in the mail to run the Arduino, but am not sure what to use to input voltage into the Dual H-Bridge. If I have no external power source coming into the H-Bridge, but use the enable pins and connect the output pins to LEDs to replicate motors receiving voltage, could this work for prototyping? I probably couldn't connect motors to the circuit until I get another external voltage source correct? Thanks.
Yes, you can use the 5V pin as the power source for a couple led's. You can put 2 led's in parallel where the motor would be, putting them opposite directions (with a resistor). This would give you one led lighting with each direction of the h-bridge
jackcav20:
I probably couldn't connect motors to the circuit until I get another external voltage source correct? Thanks.
depending on the module you get, you may be able to connect the external source TO IT - and then it will have a power out (5V) for the Arduino supply.
the L293 was also my first H-bridge, bear in mind it has a 1A limit - that caused me problems with the motors i did have - i ended going for a module with the L298 - you can get them quite cheap (stand-alone modules, as opposed to shields that plug on to the Uno)