ok.. so I tracked down the problem.. but I have no clue WHY its the problem..
after swapping out transistor after transistor.. and even swapping the pinout orientation.. I got the same results.
I decide to go back to my old in-line motor.. test it with this code.. (same results now.. wouldnt run/rotate properly)
I then took some old code I had did.. when the motor portion was working fine.. (I save after 'accomplishments/goals' are met and build on from there)
loaded it up.. worke fine on the old in-line circuit motor....
swapped out old motor for new'final motor on the pcb.. workd fine!!!
WTF!???
I compare the old code to the new more robust (final) code..
and dont notice any major differences relatign tot he motorPin high/low toggling..
EXCEPT that in my new code..
I had a print_ln() commented out.. and in the old code.. it was STILL there:
New code: (breaks the motor)
//putstring_nl("................motor off...");
digitalWrite(motorPin, LOW);
Old code: (works just fine)
putstring_nl("................motor off...");
digitalWrite(motorPin, LOW);
I thought I was nuts.. so I commented it out again.. and again.. motor breaks.. un-comment.. motor works as it should..
can anybody explain to me WHY? it seems the time it takes to print the 'line' gives the motor enough time to 'start/play' before being quickly toggled off.
thanks!!