The Vex Robotics guys have debundled the controller board in their Vex Motors, and are selling it separately for USD$10 http://www.vexrobotics.com/vex-logic-products.shtml - look at the bottom of the page (why it is under "logic" rather then "Motion: is beyond me).
This is basically a tine ESC (electronic speed controller) to drive brushed motors both forward and reverse at proportional speeds with servo signals. It does not use a separate power supply like most ESC's, simplifying wiring a bit.
From the forum, the underlying chip is rated at 9A, but the board has a 1A thermal limiter built in. You will need to use pretty efficient motors (no driving scooters or cars with this board) for continuous use. The Mabuchi 500TB (one of the Tamiya solar motors) and many of the geared micro motors from Pololu.com have less than a 1A stall current and are appropriate for this ESC. I am planning on using some of these tiny jewels from Pololy a few of my R/C freighters with the Vex ESC - doing a refit right now. These little motors have a handy mount available as well.
Locally, however, it may be easier to find the Hitec-1425CR servo, which appears to have a similar controller built in (I have not autopsied one yet to confirm this, but it is supposed to operate the same) http://servocity.com/html/hsr-1425cr__continuous_rotatio.html
- not a lot more expensive.
Might be a pretty simple solution for many of those wanting to build something that requires a low-power H-bridge.
Or as a servo-signal controlled switch. With a couple of diodes, you should be able to make it an on-off-on switch for a solenoid or relay pretty easily.
Another widget for some of those odd situations where you might need it.
Cheers,
Wreno
This is basically a tine ESC (electronic speed controller) to drive brushed motors both forward and reverse at proportional speeds with servo signals. It does not use a separate power supply like most ESC's, simplifying wiring a bit.
From the forum, the underlying chip is rated at 9A, but the board has a 1A thermal limiter built in. You will need to use pretty efficient motors (no driving scooters or cars with this board) for continuous use. The Mabuchi 500TB (one of the Tamiya solar motors) and many of the geared micro motors from Pololu.com have less than a 1A stall current and are appropriate for this ESC. I am planning on using some of these tiny jewels from Pololy a few of my R/C freighters with the Vex ESC - doing a refit right now. These little motors have a handy mount available as well.
Locally, however, it may be easier to find the Hitec-1425CR servo, which appears to have a similar controller built in (I have not autopsied one yet to confirm this, but it is supposed to operate the same) http://servocity.com/html/hsr-1425cr__continuous_rotatio.html
- not a lot more expensive.
Might be a pretty simple solution for many of those wanting to build something that requires a low-power H-bridge.
Or as a servo-signal controlled switch. With a couple of diodes, you should be able to make it an on-off-on switch for a solenoid or relay pretty easily.
Another widget for some of those odd situations where you might need it.
Cheers,
Wreno