Arduino Turns off driving motors

[dl_evans]

Hey, guys. I'm working on my very first robot and I'm stuck.

I'm using the HiLetgo BTS7960 to drive a motor (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WSN98DC). I have a 12v battery hooked up to the controller and a USB battery pack hooked up to the Arduino for power using the USB cable.

Everything works great for 10 - 20 seconds and then the Arduino shuts off. All the lights go out. I unplug it and plug it back in and it works great for another 10 - 20 seconds.

Any ideas? I've tried two different USB batteries and they were both charged so I don't think it's that.

[adafruit_support_bill]

The symptoms sound like an overload condition of some sort. Or possibly an EMI issue. What motors are you trying to drive with it?

[dl_evans]

They're these ones from "the other guys"...

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12399

[adafruit_support_bill]

That should be an easy load for a controller rated for 43A. Can you post a photo showing how you have it all connected?

[dl_evans]

I'll have to when I get off work in a few hours. Thanks for the help so far.

[dl_evans]

Bill, I've created an album with photos (and a video). Let me know if you need me to upload them somewhere. Thanks for helping me with this.

https://goo.gl/photos/tayBdhWf6rUyEkcXA

[adafruit_support_bill]

It's hard to see where all those wires are going. It looks like you have at least 4 connections to the 5v pin of the Arduino. What are they powering?

[dl_evans]

Oh, wow. Sorry. I thought I posted this already. I found a guide to wire it up. My guide matches their guide.


From:
http://www.hessmer.org/blog/2013/12/28/ ... h-arduino/

However, I'm using a hard-coded "analog reading" instead of using a pot to control the motor.

[adafruit_support_bill]

I mentioned earlier, the symptoms sound like an overload of some sort. The Arduino has a self-resetting thermal fuse that will trip on an overload and automatically reset when it cools off. The overload could be due to a short circuit (you have a lot of exposed wire in your connections) , or a problem in your motor controller. I'd try disconnecting the motor first. Then the controller to see when the problem goes away.

[dl_evans]

Will do. Thanks again.

[dl_evans]

Turns out the USB battery packs I was using turned off after a bit. I guess the Arduino wasn't pulling enough juice (or they were almost dead). I tested with a 5V USB wall adapter and it worked like a charm.

Thanks again for all your help!

[adafruit_support_bill]

Good to hear it is working. Thanks for the follow-up.

[Dustmite]

I have same problem with the sound card, would like to know of any USB battery packs that dont turn off with a small drain. Both my USB packs shut off, damn..... Unless you have a 2 port one, and charge a phone on one usb post, and device on the other, that works. But cant do that in a project box.

[adafruit_support_bill]

Most commercial USB packs are optimized for phone charging, so they have low-drain cutoffs. For continuous 5v power, you could use something like these:
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2465
https://www.adafruit.com/product/353