Vibration Motors

The vibration motors in the Studio are low-voltage DC motors. Typical operation voltage is 5V.

Using vibration motors

We can easily power a coin-shaped vibration motor using an Arduino UNO, if we want to test something in a fast manner. For reasons we are going to see below, this is not recommended and to take full advantage of the motor's specifications we should use a couple more components, like BJT transistors and diodes.

A good way to hook up a vibration motor in a solderless breadboard is to carefully strip the coating and twirl the electrodes as shown in the picture. In this manner, we ensure better contact with the screw terminals.

On the back side on the coin-shaped vibration motors, there is a sticker, which can be removed to firmly attach the motor to a flat surface.

If we want to use vibration motors in a prototype, it may be best to use soldering to ensure good contact points.

Links and specs

RS components: https://se.rs-online.com/web/p/utvecklingsverktyg-for-kraft-motorer-och-robotteknik/1845122

Datasheet: https://docs.rs-online.com/52f4/0900766b816e6720.pdf

Seeed Grove: https://wiki.seeedstudio.com/Grove-Vibration_Motor/

The seeed vibration motors can be powered with as little as 3V, but it is not recommended to use a 3.3V Arduino to drive a motor. The reason is that vibration motors contain coils, which store energy in magnetic fields that resist current flow.

The coin-shaped seeed motors available in the Studio, have typical operating voltage 5V (max. 5.5V) and maximum current 80mA.

Power 5V components using a 3.3V operating voltage microcontroller

If we want to power many vibration motors using an Arduino Nano (i.e., operating at 3.3V) we have to use P2N2222A NPN transistors and 1N4148 or 1N4001 diodes.

In the circuit shown, the Arduino is powered using a powerbank or any other type of 5V USB port (e.g., PC, laptop). Most powerbanks have enough current to power multiple vibration motors. If we measure the voltage difference between the Vin on the Arduino and the ground (GND) we are going to measure something near 5V. The Vin pin, is directly connected to the power source on the USB port of the Arduino, or the barrel connector (an Arduino Nano does not have a barrel connector, as the Arduino UNO).