Using Arduino Motor Shield V3

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
1

Hi. I am new to this board (and Arduino), so if this question has already been answered please let me know!

I am using the Duelmilanove board with Motor Shield V3 hooked up to a twin gearbox with two DC motors. I am trying to figure out how to control the motors so that they can reverse direction. I figured that you can switch which pin is set to HIGH to reverse the current, but apparently the shield is set up to have dirA and dirB pins, along with speedA and speedB pins. What does dir and speed signify? Forgive me if my terminology or ideas are wrong, and please point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance!

2

I am not sure where you get these names from they are not on the schematic.

This shield controlls two morors Motor A and Motor B

speedA and speedB pins.

Sound like the PWM inputs. These are used to rapidly enable / disable the chip so that current is rapidly turned on and off thus controlling the speed of a LOADED motor.
You can also use this pin for simply turning the motor on or off.

dirA & dirB control the direction of the two motors. High and it goes one way low and it goes the other.