L298 Motor Driver with Arduino MEGA2560

Arduino MEGA 2560

This is my first blog about the Mega2560. It has become a very useful tool for rapid prototyping and making simple project. When I say simple I mean simple but useful. 

I recently connected a DC Motor that required a potentiometer as a sensor and a motor driver (L298). 

Where to buy:
Arduino, you can buy anywhere nowadays. I usually buy mine from sparkfun $46
(https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11061)

L298 Driver: I also buy this from Sparkfun $35
(https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9670)

Connect the motor signals according to the Arduino declarations below:

//////////////////////////   Motor Driver #1 Signals  /////////////////////////////

const int MOT1_EN = 26;   

const int MOT1_IN1 = 22;  

const int MOT1_IN2 = 24;  

const int MOT1_CSA = A4;  

const int MOT1_CSB = A5;  

const int POT = A0;                          

Initialize the motor signals before using.

      pinMode(MOT1_IN1, OUTPUT);

      pinMode(MOT1_IN2, OUTPUT);

      pinMode(MOT1_EN, OUTPUT);

      pinMode(MOT1_CSA, INPUT);

      pinMode(MOT1_CSB, INPUT);

Create subroutine to move the motors Clockwise and counter clock wise.

void Motor1_CC(){

    digitalWrite(MOT1_EN, HIGH);

    delay(1);  

    digitalWrite(MOT1_IN1, HIGH);

    digitalWrite(MOT1_IN2, LOW);

}

void Motor1_CCW(){

    digitalWrite(MOT1_EN, HIGH);

    delay(1);  

    digitalWrite(MOT1_IN1, LOW);

    digitalWrite(MOT1_IN2, HIGH);

}

Write routines to break and coast motors

void Motor1_FastBrake(){

  //this routine will brake the motor A quickly

    digitalWrite(MOT1_EN, HIGH);

    delay(1);  

    digitalWrite(MOT1_IN1, LOW);

    digitalWrite(MOT1_IN2, LOW);

}

void Motor1_Coast(){

  //this routine will coast Motor A

    digitalWrite(MOT1_EN, LOW);

    delay(1);  

    digitalWrite(MOT1_IN1, LOW);   //irrelevent

    digitalWrite(MOT1_IN2, LOW);   //irrelevent

}

Now we are ready to write our code according to the project requirements. I would read the analog value for the potentiometer and move the motors using the routines as needed.

Enjoy!