Output current with Teensy++ 2.0 (arduino-based hardware)
- by omtinez
I am working on a project with a Teensy++ 2.0 for testing, eventually the goal is to use a Teensy 2.0 (info on both available here) and mount it onto a robot R/C car along with a Raspberry Pi. I have been able to use and test one of the very cheap distance sensors that use ultrasound, which requires very little current. I was trying to power a motor, I don't know exactly what kind of motor but I assume a very low-power one which is what comes with the R/C car cheapo, but nothing is happening.
When I plug the motor to GROUND and +5V it runs fine, but when I use GROUND and one of the GPIO pins then nothing happens with the motor. The same GPIO pins were tested to successfully power and run the ultrasound sensor, so the board is fine. My suspicion is that the GPIO pins don't output enough current to power the motor, but my knowledge of electronics is rather scarce (I am a computer scientist, not an electrical engineer).
So please forgive me if I am asking something obvious or plain stupid, but does the board not have enough power to power the motor? If so, I could try to use a second power supply that would go straight into the motor and use the GPIO as a gate to turn that power on and off; would such thing work? Is there a better design that could be used?
