Arduino Motor Control Powered Up

Well, it's back to work on the Arduino project. I picked up a Tyco four-wheel drive, differential steer chassis (motors and wheels only) at Ed's garage sale. Big wheels, two motors, heat sinks- it looked like a good platform to play with. It's a 7.2 volt unit, so I tested the motors with a 9-volt battery. Both motors and gear trains work as they should.

I wired up the Arduino motor control to the Tyco machine and the little 9-volt was wheezing to spin the motors. Being the chairatable and cautious type, I used the 12-volt battery that I had lying around. Even though it's not at the top of its game, the 12-volt unit had sufficient power to run the Arduino board and the motors.

The first picture of the drivetrain running shows it jumping off the platform. Oops. The other picture shows the big meaty hand clamp holding everything in place so it does not become airborne.

If you wish to complain about the photos, I am looking for volunteers to take better photos. In the

mean time, these are quickie photos to share. Better photography will come with the course.

In addition, this formatting was the best the editor would do with three pictures.