Should I use Transistors?

Using Arduino General Electronics
#1

Hello to all,

This is my first post and I’ve been doing alot of my research online for this one but can’t seem to get a solid grasp of solving this one as I’m new to electronics!!

My question is: I’ve gotten a 8.4V DC stepper motor from a friend who I think got it from a printer. Seeing that the Arduino pushes 5V max, how do I up the Volts to be able to run the motor? I came across transistors but then the schematics of putting it together is giving me some serious trouble. Am I in the right direction in the first place??? Or should I be looking in a completely different direction? Can anyone point me in the direction of what the schematic would look like?

Any assistance would be deeply appreciated. Thanks a mil in advance for any responses.
Thanks

#2

Nope, stepper motors require more complex control than just a single transistor. You will also need a separate power supply for the motor.

  1. google "transistor as a switch" and "PWM" to learn about these fundamental concepts, and

  2. google "stepper motor" to learn about them. May be too much for a first project, though.

Pat

#3

Yes, a transistor is likely to work for a DC motor (two wires, right?). Google for 'Arduino transistor' to see examples.

#4

Well I've done the beginner topics with the starter kit but Patduino thanks for your recommendation...transistor as a switch. Read some books on beginning with Arduino and did some start up projects but I do think this maybe a little over the edge for me, wanted a bit more of a challenge.
Thanks for the responses.

#5

First you'll need to determine what type of motor it is.

Stepper motors are very different than regular ole' DC motors.

How many wires?

#6

Thanks for your response.

It is 4 wires.

#7

If you google "4 wire stepper motor" you'll get a lot of information about them. Hopefully, you'll be able to tell how to control them from the many examples.

#8