Introduction: How to Control a Stepper Motor With a Potentiometer.
In this instructable, I will show you how to control a stepper motor's position using a potentiometer. So, let's get started!
Step 1: Collect Parts!
Here is what you will you will need:
An Arduino board:- Arduino UNO, being a beginner-friendly board, is recommended.
A stepper motor
A stepper motor driver:-Be it L298N, AF motor shield, A4988, or DRV8825 (The latter two are recommended since the current output of these drivers can be adjusted.).
A potentiometer
A lot of M-M jumper wires
Some M-F jumper wires
A 12 volt DC power source
Step 2: The Arduino Code
Before making any wiring connections, first, upload the code to the Arduino board. The library for A4988 driver is provided. Copy it to the desktop, open the Arduino IDE and include the ZIP library by going over the 'sketch' option before uploading the code.
Step 3: Make the Wiring Connections.
Follow the circuit schematic and connect all the components using jumper wires. Don't mix the 12V dc power connections and the motor's output connections with the 5V power or any of digital inputs or else it would be the last day of your microcontroller and motor driver in this world!
Step 4: Power It Up!
Once all the wiring and check is done, power up the setup by connecting the Arduino microcontroller board to a DC power supply(9-12 volt range is preferred) and get the motor running!
Step 5: Watch It Working.
I hope you will enjoy making this project. I would be glad to see your work.
2 Discussions
Question 10 months ago on Step 2
Hello
I downloaded StepperDrivermaster.rar and I want to include in IDE Arduino. But IDE cannot open it because it is a .rar file not a .zip file. What shoulb I do to fix it.
Thank you
FDenisF
Question 2 years ago on Introduction
Cant get it to work, loudly and slowly turns only at high ranges on the potentiometer. What am i doing wrong? Using A4988 and bipolar stepper.