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Kitronik Klip Motor Driver plus micro:bit
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Kitronik Klip Motor Driver plus crocodile leads
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Description
The Klip Motor Driver for the BBC micro:bit does much more than just drive motors. It also breaks out pins 0, 1, 2, 3V and GDN (just like the main pads on the BBC micro:bit itself), and there’s a ZIP LED output as well, along with the battery voltage and another GND connection. All of these pads are designed specifically for use with crocodile clips and banana plugs. That means no soldering or fiddling with connection blocks. Also, the pads have been designed and spaced to make it difficult to short two together with crocodile clips. This makes it ideal for use with younger children who can build buggies with little more than a couple of motors, a chassis, some elastic bands and the clip motor driver. .
It can run two DC motors simultaneously, both clockwise and counter-clockwise, and at varying speeds. Some examples of motors to use would be right angled geared hobby motors and solderless gearmotors. The ZIP LED output connection is ideally suited for use with the ZIP Hex boards, as they also have croc-clip connections.
The main BBC micro:bit pin breakout section is great for controlling the Kitronik :CITY products, such as:
The board also features status LEDs. There are LEDs for board powered on, pins 0, 1, 2, 3 and also the two motor outputs. The motor indicator LEDs don't just monitor activity, they also indicate which direction each motor is running in, green for forwards and red for backwards. These LEDs don't just look nice, they are a great way of visually troubleshooting your code and they even allow you test your code without having to connect motors or devices to pins 0, 1, 2, 3.
Power is provided via the integrated battery supply (3 x AA, 4.5V), and the board then produces a regulated 3.3V supply which is fed into the 3V and GND connections to power the connected BBC micro:bit, removing the need to power the BBC micro:bit separately.
Kitronik have produced a set of custom blocks for the MakeCode editor to simplify using the Klip Motor Driver. To add them to the editor, select the cog icon in the top right of the editor. Then, select Extensions from the drop down menu and in the search bar type and enter Kitronik. Pick the tile from the list and the new blocks will be added to the menu in the editor. We've also included blocks within this package for driving any ZIP LEDs you attach to the board. These are primarily for allowing younger children to write code using blocks that are easier to use other coding blocks for addressable LEDs.
Note:
If the BBC micro:bit is powered via its USB connector, and there are no batteries inserted, there will be no power at the 3V output connection – this is to provide some overcurrent protection for the BBC micro:bit.
Possible applications include:
Features:
- Drive 2 x DC Motors simultaneously, both clockwise and counter-clockwise.
- It breaks out Pins 0, 1, 2, 3V and GDN (just like the main pads on the BBC micro:bit itself).
- Connect to the pads with crocodile clips and banana plugs.
- There is also an out put design specifically for ZIP LEDs.
- The main BBC micro:bit pin breakout section is great for controlling the Kitronik :CITY products.
- Power is provided via the integrated battery supply.
- Output and motor driver status lights for troubleshooting and testing code prior to attaching motors and devices.
Contents:
- 1 x Klip Motor Driver for the BBC micro:bit.
Dimensions:
- Length: 72mm.
- Width: 70mm.
Video:
Requires:
- BBC micro:bit
- 3 x AA Batteries.
- Crocodile Leads.
Buy British:
This product is designed and manufactured in the UK by Kitronik.
Same Day Dispatch
- Orders placed online before 3:00pm Monday - Friday (excluding public holidays and our Christmas shutdown period) are always dispatched the same day provided the goods are in stock. If the goods are not in stock we will endeavour to contact you as soon as possible to discuss a dispatch date.
UK Deliveries
- If you live on the UK mainland and don't have any large materials or lithium batteries in your order it will cost £3.95 (£4.74 including VAT) if you spend less than £40 (£48 including VAT).
- If you spend between £40 and £200 (£48 - £240.00 including VAT, excluding large materials or lithium batteries) delivery is free to most locations, £12 (£14.40 including VAT, excluding large materials or lithium batteries) to Northern Ireland and £15 (£18.00 including VAT, excluding large materials or lithium batteries) to UK remote locations. For a list of postcodes that will be charged the remote location rate: remote area list.
- If you spend over £200 (£240.00 including VAT, excluding large materials or lithium batteries) delivery is free within the UK.
Rest of the world
- These orders are sent via UPS, and the cost is dependant on the service you choose at checkout. Alternatively you can choose the free collection option and have your own courier collect it from us. International orders can only be shipped to the registered card address. Please note: International orders may be charged import duty dependant on local import laws and duty rates. These charges are usually billed to you directly from UPS.
- Delivery times vary for international orders depending on the service selected and the destination. You can see the delivery time and cost at the shipping stage, or by using the shipping estimator from within the shipping basket.
Collection
- If you would like to collect your order, or use your own courier then there is an option you can select during checkout. We do not charge a packaging or handling fee for this service, and you will receive an email when your order has been processed, you can collect half an hour after receipt of this email.
Further Information
- For information about all of the delivery options we offer see full delivery details.
A wide range of BBC micro:bit resources, what it is, the editors and using the micro:bit
A wide range of BBC micro:bit resources, what it is, the editors and using the micro:bit
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Q:
Can the ZIP connector be used as a more general Pin 8 output, for connecting, for example, a servo or buzzer? Does it work as an input pin?
A:
Hi there,
The Pin 8 can be used as an output pin at battery voltage - not regulated voltage. It wouldn't be able to run a servo or motor from that pin. But you could run an output like a buzzer from it. You would not be able to use it as an input.
best Regards
Cullen
The Pin 8 can be used as an output pin at battery voltage - not regulated voltage. It wouldn't be able to run a servo or motor from that pin. But you could run an output like a buzzer from it. You would not be able to use it as an input.
best Regards
Cullen
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
08-Nov-19
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