The RoboClaw motor controllers from Ion Motion Control (formerly Orion Robotics) can control a pair of brushed DC motors using USB serial, TTL serial, RC, or analogue inputs. Integrated dual quadrature decoders make it easy to create a closed-loop speed control system.
The RoboClaw from Ion Motion Control (formerly Orion Robotics) is an efficient, versatile, dual-channel synchronous regenerative motor controller. It can supply two brushed DC motors with 7.5 A, 15 A, 30 A, 45 A, or 60 A continuous (depending on the model) at voltages from 6 V to 34 V, and it allows for peak currents up to twice the maximum continuous rating.
The RoboClaw features dual quadrature decoding capability. A built-in PID routine can be used for closed-loop speed control, maintaining motor speeds even if the load varies, or the encoder counts and speeds can be read directly from the RoboClaw for use with an external control system. Analogue feedback is also supported for closed-loop position control.
The RoboClaw has a USB interface that acts as a virtual serial (COM) port, allowing it to be controlled directly from a computer. Several other interface modes are supported by the RoboClaw as well: it can be controlled via TTL serial for use with an embedded system, RC hobby servo pulses for use as an RC-controlled electronic speed control (ESC), or analogue voltages for use with potentiometers or analogue joysticks.
The RoboClaw 2x7A (V5 and V5B) and V5 and V5D versions of the 2x15A, 2x30A, 2x45A, and 2x60A have USB Micro-B connectors; older USB RoboClaws had a USB Mini-B connector.
![]() 2x7A |
![]() 2x15A |
![]() 2x30A |
![]() 2x45A ST. 2x45A |
![]() 2x60A |
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Motor channels: | 2 | ||||
Operating voltage: | 6 V to 34 V | ||||
Continuous output current: | 7.5 A | 15 A | 30 A | 45 A | 60 A |
Peak output current: | 15 A | 30 A | 60 A | 60 A | 120 A |
5V BEC(1) max current: | 150 mA (V5) or 1.2 A (V5B) | 3 A | |||
Width: | 1.7″ (4.2 cm) | 2.1″ (5.2 cm) | 3.4″ (8.6 cm) | ||
Length: | 1.9″ (4.8 cm) | 2.9″ (7.4 cm) | 3.9″ (10 cm) | ||
Weight: | 18 g | 60 g | 60 g (2x45A) 63 g (ST. 2x45A) |
205 g |
1 Battery Eliminator Circuit
Ion Motion Control has written an Arduino library for the RoboClaw that makes it easy to interface these motor controllers with an Arduino. The library comes with several example sketches that demonstrate different methods of controlling the RoboClaw.
Note: Ion Motion Control was formerly Orion Robotics, which was previously Basic Micro. Ion Motion Control uses the following product names and number for the RoboClaw controllers:
“RoboClaw 2x7A Motor Controller”, Item Id: ION404 (replaces “RoboClaw 2x5A”, Item Id: ION403)
“RoboClaw 2x15A Motor Controller”, Item Id: ION412
“RoboClaw 2x30A Motor Controller”, Item Id: ION413
“RoboClaw 2x45A Motor Controller”, Item Id: ION418
“RoboClaw ST. 2x45A Motor Controller”, Item Id: ION419
“RoboClaw 2x60A Motor Controller”, Item Id: ION414
Size: | 2.1″ × 2.9″ × 0.9″ |
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Weight: | 60 g |
Motor channels: | 2 |
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Control interface: |
USB; non-inverted TTL serial (2-way); RC servo pulses; analogue voltage1 |
Minimum operating voltage: | 6 V |
Maximum operating voltage: | 34 V |
Continuous output current per channel: | 30 A |
Peak output current per channel: | 60 A |