Using arduino to control a DC motor with rocker

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
1

We're trying to control a DC motor with a rocker switch, hold one way to rotate forwards, one way to rotate backwards. For some reason, the motor will only turn backwards and does not respond to pushing the switch forwards.

We're pretty sure it's not an h bridge, but one can never be positive.

I'm honestly not the main electronics guy working on this (I dealt more with the mechanical stuff) so if you could please let me know of any ideas you have, things we could check, or if you need more information I could gladly supply.

Thank you in advance for any possible help.

2

Is it a double pole double throw switch with a center off? Generally speaking, things work the way they are wired.

3

Be careful with DC motors sharing power with delicate electronics (Arduino).... be sure to put a diode to clamp reverse EMF spikes, or take other protective measures.

4

be sure to put a diode to clamp reverse EMF spikes, or take other protective measures.

Not a viable method when using H-drive or DPDT switch to reverse motor as current can flow in either direction.

Lefty

5

I have pretty good reason to believe the wiring and the programming is correct. We've tested our software and hardware before, however we're now running on a new board. We believe it might have a bad pin, or some other failed hardware, but we don't really know what would cause this particular error or how to find out.

6

I have pretty good reason to believe the wiring and the programming is correct

Well, we don't because we haven't seen any of it. :frowning:

7

I have pretty good reason to believe the wiring and the programming is correct.

If that is correct, then you have intentionally miss programmed or miss wired your project, or perhaps somebody has put a voodoo spell on your project. :o I agree that without code or schematics nobody is going to have a clue as to what you have done or where your problem lies.

8