Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi (Connectors Soldered)

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Pololu item #: 5033
Brand: Pololu
Status: Active and Preferred 
RoHS 3 compliant


The Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller makes it easy to control DC motors from a Raspberry Pi (Model B+ or newer) through an I²C interface. Each module can independently control up to three motors, and multiple Motoron boards can be stacked on top of the same Raspberry Pi for projects that need to control even more motors. The M3H256 supports motor supply voltages from 4.5 V to 48 V and can deliver continuous output currents up to 2 A per motor. This version ships with soldered stackable headers and terminal blocks.

Compare all products in Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi.

Pictures

Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi (Connectors Soldered).

Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi (Connectors Soldered).

A Motoron M3H256 being controlled by a Raspberry Pi.

Three Motoron M3H256 controllers being controlled by a Raspberry Pi.

Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi (Connectors Soldered), top view.

Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller Kit for Raspberry Pi, bottom view with dimensions.

Using the Motoron M3H256 or M3H550 Triple Motor Controller with a Raspberry Pi.

Motoron M3H256 or M3H550 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi pinout.




Overview

The Motoron M3H256 add-on board makes it easy to control up to three bidirectional, brushed DC motors with a compatible Raspberry Pi (Model B+ or newer). It supports motor supply voltages from 4.5 V to 48 V and can deliver continuous output currents up to 2 A per motor. The M3H256 is designed to stack on top of a Raspberry Pi (Model B+ or newer), similar to a HAT (Hardware Attached on Top), and multiple Motoron controllers can be stacked on top of each other, allowing independent control of many motors. Unlike most of our motor drivers and motor driver expansion boards for Raspberry Pi, the Motoron does not require any PWM outputs on your Raspberry Pi. Instead, the Raspberry Pi communicates with the Motoron using I²C, so only two GPIO pins are needed regardless of how many Motorons you connect.

Three M3H256 versions are available to provide different options for the through-hole connectors:

For applications using an Arduino or compatible controller, consider the Motoron M3S256 instead (also available with different connector options).

Details for item #5033

Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi (Connectors Soldered).

A Motoron M3H256 being controlled by a Raspberry Pi.

Three Motoron M3H256 controllers being controlled by a Raspberry Pi.

This version of the Motoron M3H256 ships with soldered stackable headers and terminal blocks. It includes a set of two M2.5 standoffs (11 mm length), screws, and nuts that can be used to secure the board at the proper height for the GPIO connector.

Motoron M3H256 or M3H550 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi pinout.

Features and specifications

The Motoron family

The tables below list the members of the Motoron family and show the key differences among them. Each type is available in several versions to provide different options for the through-hole connectors: they can be purchased as an assembled product with connectors soldered in, as a kit with connectors included but not soldered in, or (for Arduino and Raspberry Pi expansions) as a standalone board without connectors.

Motoron motor controllers
micro versions

M1T550


M1U550
M2T550


M2U550
M1T256


M1U256
M2T256


M2U256
Control interface: I²C or UART serial
Motor channels: 1 (single) 2 (dual) 1 (single) 2 (dual)
Minimum motor
supply voltage:		 1.8 V 4.5 V
Absolute max motor
supply voltage:		 22 V 48 V
Recommended max
nominal battery voltage:		 16 V 36 V
Max continuous
current per channel:		 1.8 A 1.6 A 2.2 A 1.8 A
Logic voltage range: 3.0 V to 4.9 V(1) 3.0 V to 5.5 V
Current sensing/limiting:
Available versions
with I²C:
Available verions
with UART serial:
Price: $12.49 – $14.49 $15.95 – $17.95 $16.95 – $18.95 $23.95 – $25.95
1 The M1x550 and M2x550 are not recommended for use with 5V nominal logic.
Motoron motor controllers
Arduino and Raspberry Pi form factor versions

M3S550


M3H550
M3S256


M3H256
M2S24v14


M2H24v14
M2S24v16


M2H24v16
M2S18v18


M2H18v18
M2S18v20


M2H18v20
Control interface: I²C
Motor channels: 3 (triple) 2 (dual)
Minimum motor
supply voltage:		 1.8 V 4.5 V 6.5 V
Absolute max motor
supply voltage:		 22 V 48 V 40 V 30 V
Recommended max
nominal battery voltage:		 16 V 36 V 28 V 18 V
Max continuous
current per channel:		 1.7 A 2 A 14 A 16 A 18 A 20 A
Logic voltage range: M3S550
3.1 V to 5.5 V		 3.0 V to 5.5 V 3.0 V to 5.5 V
M3H550
3.0 V to 4.9 V(1)
Current sensing/limiting:
Available versions
for Arduino:		 M3S550 M3S256 M2S24v14 M2S24v16 M2S18v18 M2S18v20
Available versions
for Raspberry Pi:		 M3H550 M3H256 M2H24v14 M2H24v16 M2H18v18 M2H18v20
Price: $20.95 – $30.95 $34.95 – $44.95 $59.95 – $69.95 $79.95 – $89.95 $59.95 – $69.95 $95.95 – $104.95
1 The M3H550 is not recommended for use with 5V nominal logic.

Dimensions

Size: 32.5 mm × 56 mm
Weight: 14.5 g1

General specifications

Channels: 3
Model: Motoron M3H256
Control interface: I²C
Minimum operating voltage: 4.5 V
Maximum operating voltage: 48 V2
Continuous output current per channel: 2 A
Peak output current per channel: 6.4 A
Minimum logic voltage: 3.0 V
Maximum logic voltage: 5.5 V
Reverse voltage protection?: Y3
Connectors soldered?: Y

Identifying markings

PCB dev codes: mc3h42a
Other PCB markings: 0J13654

Notes:

1
Not including standoffs.
2
Absolute maximum; higher voltages can permanently destroy the motor drivers. Recommended maximum nominal battery voltage is approximately 36 V, which leaves a safety margin for ripple voltage on the supply line.
3
Note: Reverse voltage protection only works up to 40 V.

Documentation and other information

File downloads

Recommended links

Frequently-asked questions

No FAQs available.

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