The Motoron M2S18v20 Dual High-Power Motor Controller Shield for Arduino makes it easy to control two high-power DC motors from an Arduino or Arduino-compatible board through an I²C interface. The M2S18v20 operates from 6.5 V to 30 V and can deliver continuous output currents up to 20 A per motor.

Available Options:

• The motor controller by itself, without any header pins or terminal blocks included.
• with a variety of header pin and terminal block options included but not soldered in.
• with soldered stackable headers and terminal blocks.

The Motoron M2S family of dual high-power motor controller shields makes it easy to independently control two bidirectional, brushed DC motors with an Arduino or compatible board, such as the A-Star 32U4 Prime. Unlike most of our motor drivers and motor driver shields, the Motoron does not require any PWM outputs or timers on your Arduino. Instead, the Arduino communicates with the Motoron using I²C, so only two I/O lines are needed. Four types are available so you can pick the one with the appropriate operating voltage range and output current capabilities for your project:

Each of the four types above is available in three versions to provide different options for the through-hole connectors: they can be purchased as an assembled product with stackable headers and terminal blocks soldered in, as a kit with connectors included but not soldered in, or as a standalone board without connectors.

For a lower-power, lower-cost alternative Arduino shield, please consider the Motoron M3S256 Triple Motor Controller Shield for Arduino.

Details for item #5044(Board Only)

The M2S18v20 shield operates from 6.5 V to 30 V (absolute maximum, not intended for use with 24 V batteries) and can deliver continuous output currents up to 20 A per motor. The M2S18v20 can be distinguished from other types of M2S shields by its larger discrete MOSFETs and the number 150 on top of the tall silver electrolytic capacitors.

This version is just the assembled PCB module as shown above, with no connectors included. It is also available with connectors soldered or as a kit with connectors included but not soldered in.
Details for item #5043 (Kit):

The M2S18v20 shield operates from 6.5 V to 30 V (absolute maximum, not intended for use with 24 V batteries) and can deliver continuous output currents up to 20 A per motor. The M2S18v20 can be distinguished from other types of M2S shields by its larger discrete MOSFETs and the number 150 on top of the tall silver electrolytic capacitors.

This version is a kit with the following connectors included but not soldered in:

• One 1×10 stackable female header
• Two 1×8 stackable female headers
• One 1×6 stackable female headers
• Three 2-pin 5mm screw terminal blocks (see the terminal block warnings below)
• Two 1×20 male headers (or some other configuration with a total of 40 pins)
• This board is also available with connectors soldered, or as a standalone board without connectors.

• The terminal blocks on the Motoron M2S high-power motor drivers are taller than the headers, so they should only be installed on the top Motoron in the stack.

• Terminal block warnings:
• 1) The 5mm blue terminal blocks are rated for up to 16 A, so for higher-current applications we recommend getting an unsoldered version and then soldering thick wires directly to the board.
• 2) The included terminal blocks are taller than the headers, so a Motoron M2S shield assembled with 5mm terminal blocks is meant to be used as a standalone board or at the top of a shield stack. (Trying to stack multiple shields with terminal blocks can result in short circuits between the stacked terminal blocks.)

Details for item #5042(Assembled):

The M2S18v20 shield operates from 6.5 V to 30 V (absolute maximum, not intended for use with 24 V batteries) and can deliver continuous output currents up to 20 A per motor. The M2S18v20 can be distinguished from other types of M2S shields by its larger discrete MOSFETs and the number 150 on top of the tall silver electrolytic capacitors.

This version ships with soldered stackable headers and terminal blocks. It is also available as a kit with connectors included but not soldered in, or as a standalone board without connectors.

• Terminal block warnings:
• 1) The 5mm blue terminal blocks are rated for up to 16 A, so for higher-current applications we recommend getting an unsoldered version and then soldering thick wires directly to the board.
• 2) The included terminal blocks are taller than the headers, so a Motoron M2S shield assembled with 5mm terminal blocks is meant to be used as a standalone board or at the top of a shield stack. (Trying to stack multiple shields with terminal blocks can result in short circuits between the stacked terminal blocks.)

Features and specifications:

• Two motor control channels allow for independent control of up to two bidirectional brushed DC motors
• Reverse-voltage protection on motor power supply
• Logic voltage range: 3.0 V to 5.5 V
• Control interface: I²C
• I²C clock speed: up to 400 kHz
• Optional cyclic redundancy checking (CRC)
• Configurable motion parameters:
• Max acceleration/deceleration forward/reverse
• Starting speed forward/reverse
• Direction change delay forward/reverse
• PWM frequency: eight options available from 1 kHz to 80 kHz
• Current sensing
• Configurable hardware current limiting
• Command timeout feature stops motors if the Arduino stops functioning
• Configurable automatic error response
• Motor power supply (VIN) voltage measurement
• Optional pins make it easy to power the Arduino from reverse-protected motor power, either directly or through an external regulator (not included)
• Two status LEDs
• Motor direction indicator LEDs
• Motoron Arduino library simplifies getting started using the Motoron with an Arduino or compatible controller
• Comprehensive user’s guide

Real-world power dissipation consideration

The MOSFETs can handle large current spikes for short durations (e.g. 100 A for a few milliseconds), and the driver’s current chopping will keep the average current under the set limit. The peak ratings are for quick transients (e.g. when a motor is first turned on), and the continuous rating is dependent on various conditions, such as the ambient temperature. PWMing the motor will introduce additional heating proportional to the frequency. The actual current you can deliver will depend on how well you can keep the motor driver cool. The driver’s printed circuit board is designed to draw heat out of the MOSFETs, but performance can be improved by adding a heat sink or air flow. For high-current installations, the motor and power supply wires should also be soldered directly instead of going through the 5mm blue terminal blocks, which are rated for up to 16 A.

Warning:

• This motor driver has no over-temperature shut-off. An over-temperature or over-current condition can cause permanent damage to the motor driver. You might consider using either the shield’s current sense or an external current sensor to monitor your current draw.
• This product can get hot enough to burn under normal operating conditions. Take care when handling this product and other components connected to it.

Documentations:

• Motoron Arduino library
• user’s guide

Package Includes:

• Board Only:
• 1 x Motoron M2S18v20 Dual High-Power Motor Controller Shield for Arduino (No Connectors)
• Kit:
• One 1×10 stackable female header
• Two 1×8 stackable female headers
• One 1×6 stackable female headers
• Three 2-pin 5mm screw terminal blocks (see the terminal block warnings below)
• Two 1×20 male headers (or some other configuration with a total of 40 pins)
• Assembled:
• 1 x Motoron M2S18v20 Dual High-Power Motor Controller Shield for Arduino (Connectors Soldered)