Raspberry Pi & Motor Control

Question

I am looking to use raspberry pi to control a motor that has multiple speeds but want all speed and timing to be controlled on the pi. Would the proper setup be a breadboard with a servo motor controller or what. I will be taking out a DC in box that has a dial to control motor functionality. What is best route to take? The motor is a basic in/out.

Answer 1

According to the information given by you, I would like to suggest the setup which will help to control DC Motor / Servo Motor with Raspberry Pi (3/4).

DC Motor Control:

Controlling a DC Motor is easy with a Raspberry Pi. I have used different motor driver (Acc to my application Ex: Cytron, Sabertooth) to control the DC motor, which allows the motor to move forward or backward or left of Right. Hobby grade you can try with L298 DC motor driver.

Before starting connection you can clarify the some installation details given below

1. https://www.raspberrypi-spy.co.uk/2012/05/install-rpi-gpio-python-library/
2. https://sourceforge.net/p/raspberry-gpio-python/wiki/install/
3. https://raspi.tv/how-to-install-wiringpi2-for-python-on-the-raspberry-pi
4. http://wiringpi.com/download-and-install/

Connection Details:

Connect IN1 on the L298 to the Raspberry Pi’s pin number 26. Connect IN2 on the L298 to Raspberry Pi’s pin number 20. Connect the ENA and 12-volt pin to a 9-volt battery. Make sure the grounds of the battery, Raspberry Pi, and L298 are common.

Turn on your Raspberry Pi and open Python 3 in a new window. Write the following code in the new window and save it somewhere like on the Desktop.

Program - Control DC Motor:

import sys
import time
import RPi.GPIO as GPIO

mode=GPIO.getmode()

GPIO.cleanup()

Forward=26
Backward=20
sleeptime=1

GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BOARD)
GPIO.setup(Forward, GPIO.OUT)
GPIO.setup(Backward, GPIO.OUT)

def forward(x):
GPIO.output(Forward, GPIO.HIGH)
print("Moving Forward")
time.sleep(x)
GPIO.output(Forward, GPIO.LOW)

def reverse(x):
GPIO.output(Backward, GPIO.HIGH)
print("Moving Backward")
time.sleep(x)
GPIO.output(Backward, GPIO.LOW)

while (1):

forward(5)

reverse(5)
GPIO.cleanup()

From your question I think you are not very clear how it is going to work (proper setup be a breadboard with a servo motor controller). Ok fine but focus on this, But whats so much fascinating about controlling a servo? Servo Motor is nothing but a simple device which uses error-sensing feedback signals to determine and control the position of a motor shaft.

Hardware Interfacing for Servo Motor

Servo motor has got three connection pins, Vcc, ground and signal. It requires a 5V 1A power, which is provided from a suitable supply source. On the Raspberry Pi board, GPIO pin number 22 is selected as the signal pin. The GND pin of the power supply is connected to the ground pin of the servo and also to the 6th pin on the Raspberry Pi. After providing suitable connections open the python editor and program the Raspberry Pi. A sample code is given below, which you can use as it is or you can modify it to suit yourself.

Program - Servo Motor Control

import RPi
import time
 
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BOARD)
GPIO.setup(22, GPIO.OUT)
 
pwm=GPIO.PWM(22,100)
pwm.start(5)
 
angle1=10
duty1= float(angle1)/10 + 2.5
 
angle2=160
duty2= float(angle2)/10 + 2.5
 
ck=0
while ck<=5:
     pwm.ChangeDutyCycle(duty1)
     time.sleep(0.8)
     pwm.ChangeDutyCycle(duty2)
     time.sleep(0.8)
     ck=ck+1
time.sleep(1)
GPIO.cleanup()

I hope you can understand and start you Robotics Journey. Again lot of things are waiting for you. You can use different I/O libraries like PIGPIO, WiringPi, BCM, Sysfs etc. This will help you to do lot on your field and passion.