The RoboClaw motor controllers from Basicmicro (formerly Ion Motion Control) can control a pair of brushed DC motors using USB serial, TTL serial, RC, or analog inputs. Integrated dual quadrature decoders make it easy to create a closed-loop speed control system.

The RoboClaws from Basicmicro (formerly Ion Motion Control) are a family of efficient, versatile, synchronous regenerative motor controllers. They can supply brushed DC motors with 7.5 A, 15 A, 30 A, 45 A, 60 A, or 120 A continuous (depending on the model) at voltages from 6 V to 34 V or 10.5 V to 60 V (also depending on the model), and they allow for peak currents well above the maximum continuous ratings. The “Solo” versions feature a single motor control channel while the dual versions (denoted by a “2x” in their names) offer two channels for controlling a pair of motors.

	Solo 30A	Solo 60A	2x7A	2x15A	2x30A	2x45A ST 2x45A	2x60A	2x60AHV	2x160A
Motor channels:	1		2					2
Operating voltage:	6 V to 34 V		6 V to 34 V					10.5 V to 60 V
Continuous output current:	30 A	60 A	7.5 A	15 A	30 A	45 A	60 A	60 A	120 A
Peak output current:	60 A	120 A	15 A	30 A	60 A	60 A	120 A	120 A	160 A
5V BEC(1) max current:	1.2 A		1.2 A (V5B or later)	3 A				1.2 A (V7 or later)	3 A
Size:	60 × 32.5 × 23.5 mm		48 × 42 × 17 mm	74 × 52 × 17 mm			100 × 86 × 30 mm	100 × 86 × 30 mm	212 × 126 × 50 mm
Weight:	130 g		18 g	60 g			320 g	295 g	1630 g

The RoboClaws have a USB interface that acts as a virtual serial (COM) port, allowing it to be controlled directly from a computer, and they feature built-in commands for controlling acceleration, deceleration, distance, speed, current sense, voltage limits and more. Several other interface modes are supported by the RoboClaw as well: it can be controlled via TTL serial for use with embedded systems, RC hobby servo pulses for use as an RC-controlled electronic speed control (ESC), or analog voltages for use with potentiometers or analog joysticks.

• Simple bidirectional control of one or two brushed DC motors, depending on controller model
• 6 V to 34 V or 10.5 V to 60 V operating supply range, depending on controller model
• 7.5 A to 120 A maximum continuous current output, depending on controller model
• Dual-channel controllers support channel bridging to allow control of a single motor with double the current capability
• Automatic current limiting reduces duty cycle when temperature exceeds 85° C
• Four communication or control options:
• USB serial interface (virtual COM port)
• Logic-level (TTL) serial interface for direct connection to microcontrollers or other embedded controllers
• Hobby radio control (RC) pulse width interface for direct connection to an RC receiver or RC servo controller
• Analog voltage (0 V to 2 V, 5 V tolerant) interface for direct connection to potentiometers and analog joysticks
• Dual feedback inputs for PID closed-loop control:
• Speed or position control with quadrature encoders, up to 19.6 million encoder pulses per second
• Position control with analog encoders or potentiometers
• (Open-loop control with no feedback also available)
• Screw terminals for quick connect/disconnect
• Configurable via pushbutton interface or USB connection and PC software
• Regenerative braking
• Tolerates high-speed direction changes
• Jumper-selectable 5 V BEC
• Battery monitoring and under-voltage cutoff protects batteries from over-discharging

• User manual
• Datasheet

• 1 x RoboClaw Motor Controller - 2 Channel