Exploring Arduino, 2nd Edition

4Using Transistors and Driving DC Motors

Parts You'll Need for This Chapter:

• Arduino Uno or Adafruit METRO 328
• USB cable (Type A to B for Uno, Type A to Micro-B for METRO)
• Half-size breadboard
• Assorted jumper wires
• 1kΩ resistor
• 10kΩ resistors (×2)
• 10kΩ trim potentiometer
• Photoresistors (×2)
• 9V battery
• 9V battery clip
• L7805CV 5V voltage regulator
• 10μF 50V electrolytic capacitors (×2)
• 0.1μF ceramic capacitor
• 1N4001 diode
• PN2222 NPN bipolar junction transistor (BJT)
• Roving robot chassis kit with wheels and DC motors
• 9V DC motor
• TI L293D dual H-bridge motor driver
  • CODE AND DIGITAL CONTENT FOR THIS CHAPTER
  • Code downloads, videos, and other digital content for this chapter can be found at:
  • exploringarduino.com/content2/ch4
  • Code for this chapter can also be obtained from the Downloads tab on this book's Wiley web page:
  • wiley.com/go/exploringarduino2e

You're now a master of observing information from the world around you. But how can you control that world? Blinking LEDs and automatically adjusting nightlights are a good start, but you can do so much more. Using assorted types of motors and actuators, and with the help of transistors, you can use your Arduino to generate physical action in the real world. By pairing motors with your Arduino, you can drive robots, build mechanical arms, add an additional degree of freedom to distance sensors, and much more.

In this chapter, you will learn how to control inductive loads like direct current (DC) motors, how to use transistors to switch ...