Data Sheet

RoboClaw Solo Motor Controller Data Sheet

Logic Battery (LB IN)

The logic circuit of RoboClaw can be powered from a secondary battery wired to LB IN. A logic battery will prevent

brownouts when the main battery is low or under heavy load. The positive (+) terminal is located at the board edge and

ground (-) is the inside pin closest to the heatsink.

Encoder Inputs (1A / 1B)

The encoders input are labeled 1A and 1B. Quadrature encoder inputs are typically labeled 1A and 1B. Quadrature

encoders are directional. The encoder register will count up or down depending on the direction of rotation. Use Ion

Studio to determine the encoders direction to the motors rotation. Encoder channels A and B can be swapped in software

using Ion Studio to avoid re-wiring the encoder or motor.

Control Inputs (S1 / S2 / S3 / S4 /S5)

S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 are congured for standard servo style headers I/O (except on ST models), +5V and GND. S1 and

S2 are the control inputs for serial, analog and RC modes. S3 can be used as a ip switch input, when in RC or Analog

modes. In serial mode S3, S4 and S5 can be used as emergency stops inputs or as voltage clamping control outputs.

When congured as E-Stop inputs, they are active when pulled low. All I/O have internal pull-ups to prevent accidental

triggers when left oating. S4 and S5 can be congured as home switch and limit switch inputs. The pins closest to the

board edge are the I/0s, center pin is the +5V and the inside pins are ground. Some RC receivers have their own supply

and will conict with the RoboClaw’s 5v logic supply. It may be necessary to remove the +5V pin from the RC receivers

cable in those situations.

Main Battery Wires

The main battery input rating is 6VDC to 34VDC. The RoboClaw Solo is pre-wired. The red wire is the positive (+)

connection and the black is the ground (-). 6VDC is the minimum voltage required to operate properly.

Do not reverse main battery wires or damage will occur.

Disconnect

The main battery should include a quick disconnect in case of a run away situation and power needs to be cut. The switch

must be rated to handle the maximum current and voltage from the battery. Total current will vary depending on the

type of motors used. A common solution would be an inexpensive contactor which can be sourced from sites like Ebay.

A power diode rated for approximately 2 to 10 Amps should be placed across the switch/contactor to provide a return to

the battery when power is disconnected. The diode will provide the regenerative power a place to go even if the switch is

open.

Motor Wires

The motor wires are color coded. The green wire is M1A and the yellow wire is M2B. The motor wires should be as short

as possible. Long wires can increase the inductance and therefore increase potentially harmful voltage spikes during

regenerative periods.