SparkFun ProDriver Hookup Guide

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Contributors: QCPete, santaimpersonator
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Hardware Assembly

Power Connection

Users should connect the recommended wall adapter, power supply to the DC barrel jack on the ProDriver. REMEMBER to disconnect the power before connecting/disconnecting your motor.

power connection
The power connected to the ProDriver. (Click to enlarge)

Input Control Pin Connections

The input control pins need to be connected to a microcontroller. To utilize the Arduino examples below, without modifying the code, we recommend using the SparkFun RedBoard (Qwiic) as the microcontroller. Use the table and image below to hookup the SparkFun RedBoard to the ProDriver with some jumper wires.

microcontroller connections
The SparkFun RedBoard connected to the ProDriver. (Click to enlarge)

ProDriver Control Pins STBY EN MODE0 MODE1 MODE2 MODE3 ERR
RedBoard Pins D8 D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2
Note: Don't forget to ground loop the ProDriver to the RedBoard as illustrated in the image above.

Motor Channel Output Connections

The output channels for the H-Bridges need to be connected to the stepper motor. Users need to hookup the wire pairs for each coil to individual channels. However, the polarity of the connections isn't very important as the direction of the motor rotation can be controlled in software. For the recommended stepper motor, use the table and image below to hookup the motor to the ProDriver.

motor connection
A stepper motor connected to the ProDriver. (Click to enlarge)

ProDriver Output Channels A+ A- B+ B-
Stepper Motor Wires Black Green Red Blue

⚡ Note: Do not connect or disconnect the motor while the ProDriver is powered; as it may damage the ProDriver.

Motor Coil Pairs

In order to determine the wire pairs for each coil on their stepper motor, users can refer to the datasheet for the stepper motor. Often, the relevant information is indicated as shown in the diagram below.

Motor Coil Diagram
Coil wire diagram from the datasheet our NEMA 16 Stepper Motor with Cable. (Click to enlarge)

For a 4-wire motor, users can alternatively use a multimeter to determine the wire pairs for the coils. This is done by comparing the resistance of one wire and against each of the three remaining wires. Whichever wire shows the lowest resistance against the first wire is the pair mate. The remaining two wires should show similar resistance between the two of them.

Single ProDriver

Utilizing the instructions above, an example of the standard assembly used for most of the examples in the Arduino library, is shown below.

standard setup
The SparkFun RedBoard connected to a ProDriver and stepper motor. (Click to enlarge)

Multiple ProDrivers

For users interested in utilizing multiple ProDrivers, we have provided an additional Arduino example for hooking up two ProDrivers in parallel. Use the table and image below to hookup the SparkFun RedBoard to the two ProDrivers with some jumper wires.

stacked Prodriver
The SparkFun RedBoard connected to two ProDrivers, stacked together. (Click to enlarge)

ProDriver (1) Control Pins STBY EN MODE0 MODE1 MODE2 MODE3 ERR
ProDriver (2) Control Pins STBY EN MODE0 MODE1 MODE2 MODE3 ERR
RedBoard Pins D8 D7 D6 D5 D9 D4 D3 D2
Note: By connecting the ProDrivers in parallel, they will need to be operated sequentially; they cannot be controlled simultaneously.