SparkFun TB6612FNG Motor Driver Library Four Motors

Other Hardware Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
1

Hi,

I am attempting to use two TB6612FNG motor drives to drive four 12V DC motors.

For some reason, the following code runs motor1 and motor4, which are connected to different motor drivers. Any suggestions on how to get it to run all four motors would be appreciated.

   Serial.print("Motors Start");
  forward(motor1, motor2, motorSpeed);
  forward(motor3, motor4, motorSpeed);
  delay(2000);
  Serial.print(" -> Motors Stop");
  brake(motor1, motor2);
  brake(motor3, motor4);
  delay(2000);
2

Post all the code.

Poat a schematic or wiring diagram.

3

Need to know how you have the motors wired to the TB6612 and how the TB6612 is wired to Arduino.

https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/tb6612fng-hookup-guide/all

https://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/info/TB6612FNG_datasheet_en_20141001.pdf?did=10660&prodName=TB6612FNG

4

@JCA34F , @groundFungus thank you for the responses.

Electrical Schematic:

image
image505×672 53.9 KB

Note: Using an Arduino Giga, not a Mega

Full Code:

/**************************Header Files***************************/
#include <Arduino.h>
#include <SparkFun_TB6612.h>


/*****************************Pin Definitions***************************/

// Motors
#define motorSpeed 100
#define motorOn false

  // Right Motor Pins
#define AIN1_L 28
#define BIN1_L 24
#define AIN2_L 30
#define BIN2_L 22
#define PWMA_L 12
#define PWMB_L 13
#define STBY_L 26

  // Left Motor Pins
#define AIN1_R 38
#define BIN1_R 34
#define AIN2_R 40
#define BIN2_R 32
#define PWMA_R 10
#define PWMB_R 11
#define STBY_R 36

/*****************************Global Variables***************************/

// Motors
const int offsetA_R = 1;
const int offsetB_R = 1;
const int offsetA_L = 1;
const int offsetB_L = -1;

Motor motor1 = Motor(AIN1_R, AIN2_R, PWMA_R, offsetA_R, STBY_R); 
Motor motor2 = Motor(BIN1_R, BIN2_R, PWMB_R, offsetB_R, STBY_R);
Motor motor3 = Motor(AIN1_L, AIN2_L, PWMA_L, offsetA_L, STBY_L);
Motor motor4 = Motor(BIN1_L, BIN2_L, PWMB_L, offsetB_L, STBY_L);

uint32_t motorTimer = millis();


/******************************Setup*******************************/
void setup() {
  // Initialize serial and wait for port to open
  Serial.begin(115200);
  delay(1500);
}


/****************************Main Loop*****************************/
void loop() {
  Serial.print("Motors Start");
  forward(motor1, motor2, motorSpeed);
  forward(motor3, motor4, motorSpeed);
  delay(2000);
  Serial.print(" -> Motors Stop");
  brake(motor1, motor2);
  brake(motor3, motor4);
  delay(2000);
}

SparkFun TB6612FNG Arduino Library

5

Sorry, your drawing is too low resolution for my old eyes, if I blow it up 400% it blurs out.

6

What is the current draw of your motor(s), what is the current rating of your 12V power supply?

7

I believe the motors are rated to 1A. We are using two 12V 8Ah LiFEPO4 batteries in series and then stepping them down to 12V.

8

Keep in mind, the starting current of the motor(s) may be 5 to 10 times the full load current. I forget what the TB6612's current rating is. What are the motors driving?

9

What is the current rating of the buck converter?

10

Rated to 10 Amps.

11

Should be OK power wise. need to see your complete code.
EDIT: I see it! :roll_eyes:

12

Any ideas on why this may not be working?
I can call forward(motor1, motor2, motorSpeed); motors 1and 2 will run.
I can call forward(motor3, motor4, motorSpeed); motors 3 and 4 will run.
Yet when I call both:
forward(motor1, motor2, motorSpeed); forward(motor3, motor4, motorSpeed);
Only motor1 and motor4 run.

13

My guess is the TB6612FNG have a priority channel.

Comment-out 1 and 4 to see if 2 and 3 run.
Comment out 1 and 2 to see if 3 and 4 run.
Comment out 3 and 4 to see if 1 and 2 run.

14

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