Hello! Need some help with this as I’m new to this. Looking to get a SparkFun Qwiic Motor Driver to connect to my Raspberry Pi. The issue I’m having is, I want to get a Stepper Motor, but having issues finding one that is compatible with it, being 3-11v, and staying under 1.5amps as that is the requirements for the driver(I think). Not only that, i also need a battery for it, which I have no idea where to start looking for one. So if anyone is able to help me out with it, that would be appreciated. And for a little bit of context, trying to make a pet despenser, so thats why i want a stepper motor. So again, would appreciate some help with this!
For a stepper motor you’ll want to use a driver designed for steppers; take a look at these 2
You could cut the ends off of Lithium Ion Battery - 6Ah and use it to power the driver/motor and maybe something like Dual-Port Power Bank with Digital Display and Integrated Cables - 10AH for the Pi
What’s wrong with the qwiic motor driver?
Need to use qwiic because it’s kinda required for my class, also just seems easier. Also decided to use this stepper motor here with the driver.
I dont believe i should run into any issues?
…the ratings you’ve mentioned. Running the driver at full voltage all the time is generally not advised 12v nominal for motor; 12v MAX for qwiic driver because things tend to start cooking themselves
Since qwiic is a requirement I’d suggest trying to either try to find a motor that has a lower voltage, or you could try underpowering it (provide 9-10v or so…though this is pushing the product’s limits, it should be ok in small spurts)
You could also try using a non-stepper motor if you don’t need repetitive angular precision
Yeah that is the plan. Going to supply the stepper with 9v powersupply. So will be giving that a try. Reason for the stepper is that I was reccommended it for the pet despenser i will be making. I do have the hobby gearmotor that I got from a prof today, so could also give that a try. I should be fine using the same 9v powersupply for that gearmotor right? Again not supper great with knowing about electrical stuff.
That driver is designed for two brushed DC motors, it’s not setup to drive a stepper.
Yeah I kinda noticed that after I made the purchase, but it should still work(hopefully).