Pololu High-Power Motor Driver 18v25 CS

• Pololu High-Power Motor Driver 18v25 CS
• Supports 5-30V range
• Delivers 25A continuously
• Measures bidirectional current
• Detects short-circuit conditions
• Outputs analog voltage for motor current

The Pololu High-Power Motor Driver 18v25 CS is a discrete MOSFET H-bridge motor driver designed for bidirectional control of a high-power DC brushed motor. This compact board, measuring 1.8 by 1.2 inches, supports a voltage range from 5 to 30 volts and can deliver a continuous current of 25 amperes without the need for a heat sink. It features an analog voltage output proportional to the motor current and includes an additional control input for coasting, enhancing its versatility in motor control applications.

The motor driver is equipped with a current-sensing circuit capable of measuring bidirectional motor current up to 30 amperes. It offers a simple interface requiring minimal I/O lines, supporting both sign-magnitude and locked-antiphase operation. The board’s design includes integrated detection of short-circuit conditions, providing protection against common causes of failure. However, it lacks reverse power protection and over-current or over-temperature protection.

This motor driver can operate at PWM frequencies up to 40 kHz, although higher frequencies may result in increased switching losses. It can tolerate peak currents exceeding 200 amperes, with the continuous current rating of 25 amperes being dependent on conditions such as ambient temperature. The board’s performance can be enhanced by adding heat sinks to manage heat dissipation effectively. The driver can detect fault states such as short circuits, under-voltage, and over-temperature, which are reported via dedicated fault flag pins.