1. Overview

The Motoron motor controllers are a family of general-purpose modules designed to control brushed DC motors. The Motoron receives commands via I²C or UART serial (depending on which model you have), so only two I/O lines are needed regardless of how many Motorons you connect.

Features and specifications

  • Control interface: I²C or UART serial (depending on the model)
    • I²C clock speed: up to 400 kHz
    • UART serial baud rate: up to 250,000 bps
  • Optional cyclic redundancy checking (CRC)
  • Configurable motion parameters:
    • Max acceleration/deceleration forward/reverse
    • Starting speed forward/reverse
    • Direction change delay forward/reverse
  • PWM frequency: eight options available from 1 kHz to 80 kHz
  • Command timeout feature stops motors if the Motoron stops receiving commands
  • Configurable automatic error response
  • Motor power supply (VIN) voltage measurement
  • Two status LEDs
  • Motor direction indicator LEDs
  • Motoron Arduino library simplifies getting started with an Arduino or compatible controller
  • Motoron Python library simplifies using the Motoron with Python or MicroPython

Available versions

The Motoron motor controllers are divided into three different classes with different operating voltage ranges and maximum currents.

Each of the links in the list above goes to a category on the Pololu website that contains several different Motoron products. Visit the links above to learn the details for each Motoron product, including its operating voltage range, maximum current, control interface, number of channels, and what hardware comes included or soldered.

The tables below list the members of the Motoron family and show the key differences among them. Each type is available in several versions to provide different options for the through-hole connectors: they can be purchased as an assembled product with connectors soldered in, as a kit with connectors included but not soldered in, or (for Arduino and Raspberry Pi expansions) as a standalone board without connectors.

Motoron motor controllers
micro versions

M1T550



M1U550

M2T550



M2U550

M1T256



M1U256

M2T256



M2U256
Control interface: I²C or UART serial
Motor channels: 1 (single) 2 (dual) 1 (single) 2 (dual)
Minimum motor
supply voltage:
1.8 V 4.5 V
Absolute max motor
supply voltage:
22 V 48 V
Recommended max
nominal battery voltage:
16 V 36 V
Max continuous
current per channel:
1.8 A 1.6 A 2.2 A 1.8 A
Logic voltage range: 3.0 V to 4.9 V(1) 3.0 V to 5.5 V
Current sensing/limiting:
Available versions
with I²C:
Available verions
with UART serial:
Price: $12.49$14.49 $15.95$17.95 $16.95$18.95 $23.95$25.95
1 The M1x550 and M2x550 are not recommended for use with 5V nominal logic.
Motoron motor controllers
Arduino and Raspberry Pi form factor versions

M3S550



M3H550

M3S256



M3H256

M2S24v14



M2H24v14

M2S24v16



M2H24v16

M2S18v18



M2H18v18

M2S18v20



M2H18v20
Control interface: I²C
Motor channels: 3 (triple) 2 (dual)
Minimum motor
supply voltage:
1.8 V 4.5 V 6.5 V
Absolute max motor
supply voltage:
22 V 48 V 40 V 30 V
Recommended max
nominal battery voltage:
16 V 36 V 28 V 18 V
Max continuous
current per channel:
1.7 A 2 A 14 A 16 A 18 A 20 A
Logic voltage range: M3S550
3.1 V to 5.5 V
3.0 V to 5.5 V 3.0 V to 5.5 V
M3H550
3.0 V to 4.9 V(1)
Current sensing/limiting:
Available versions
for Arduino:
M3S550 M3S256 M2S24v14 M2S24v16 M2S18v18 M2S18v20
Available versions
for Raspberry Pi:
M3H550 M3H256 M2H24v14 M2H24v16 M2H18v18 M2H18v20
Price: $20.95$30.95 $34.95$44.95 $59.95$69.95 $79.95$89.95 $59.95$69.95 $95.95$104.95
1 The M3H550 is not recommended for use with 5V nominal logic.

Related Products

Motoron M3S256 Triple Motor Controller Shield for Arduino (Connectors Soldered)
Motoron M1T550 Single I²C Motor Controller (Header Pins Soldered)
Motoron M3H550 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi (Connectors Soldered)
Motoron M3S550 Triple Motor Controller Shield for Arduino (Connectors Soldered)
Motoron M1T256 Single I²C Motor Controller (Header Pins Soldered)
Motoron M2T256 Dual I²C Motor Controller (Header Pins Soldered)
Motoron M2H18v18 Dual High-Power Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi (Connectors Soldered)
Motoron M2S18v18 Dual High-Power Motor Controller Shield for Arduino (Connectors Soldered)
Motoron M3H256 Triple Motor Controller for Raspberry Pi (Connectors Soldered)
Motoron M2T550 Dual I²C Motor Controller (Header Pins Soldered)

Related Categories

Motoron Motor Controllers
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