SparkFun Electronics - Dual Motor GearBox

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Product Info

Dual Motor GearBox

sku: ROB-00319

Description: Dual gearbox from Tamiya. This is an excellent way to get started quickly with robotics! You may have read many websites about servos, gear head motors, DC motors, stepper motors, and the pit-falls associated with each. We swear by these gearboxes because of their price, their ease in assembly, and the ability to be controlled by low-cost motor driver ICs. This gear box can drive two wheels independently in either forward or reverse. The twin-motor gearbox can also be configured for two different gear ratios (fast and faster). Gearbox comes unassembled as shown.

Includes gears, housing, motors, lube, and allen wrench
58:1 and 203:1 gear ratios possible
Motors operate from 3-6V
Can be controlled by L293DNE, SN754410, and other low-cost motor drivers
Mounting holes and hardware included

Pricing

	out of stock

$10.95	price
$9.85	10-99 (10% off)
$8.76	100+ (20% off)

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Comments

11 comments

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	by Troy J. Farrell +3.2 \| May 4, 2006 at 2:09 PM +1.5
Assembly took me about one hour due to the small parts involved. This works well with the Pololu Round Robot Chassis. Each of the included motors draws ~0.35A at 5V when unloaded. Short circuit current is ~0.75A at 5V. The useful voltage range is ~2.0-8.4V.

macpod

+2.5

| February 15, 2009 at 10:58 PM

+0.15

With stock motors the Related products (COM-00315) "H-Bridge Motor Driver 1A" is not a good choice to drive these. The included motors draw 2.2A each when stalled and are only "supposed" to be operated from 1.5 to 3v. Driving them higher significantly reduces their life. Take a look at the FA-130RA datasheet from Mabuchi.

Mabuchi does make motors that operate on higher voltages and have lower stall currents which can be substituted with the motors that come with this gearbox.

	by buro +1.8 \| April 6, 2009 at 5:42 PM 0
this motor: http://www.mabuchi-motor.co.jp/cgi-bin/catalog/e_catalog.cgi?CAT_ID=fc_130rasa seems to fit the bill perfectly. Runs at 12v, with a 0.84A stall current and seems to be exactly the right size. If only I could actually buy one from somewhere!

Praveen

+1.5

| May 29, 2009 at 11:52 AM

This was a great little gear box. I used it on a Sumo Robot, which weight ~1kg. My requirement was to push other sumo robots out of the arena. Therefore I assembled it in the "HIGH TORQUE" mode. The instructions in the assembly process were very straight forward, and I believe anyone can do it. Took me about 30 mins. I used the SN754410 to control my sumo robot. I also used the "Tamiya racing wheels" (white ones). One of the most important things things when using this gear box is that, you need to build a cover for it. Otherwise, the gear box is very fast, that it can pick up unwanted stuff from the ground. A good example is hair. My sumo robot turned out to be a good success and i highly recommend this product for similar applications.

	by Dorsai65 +1 \| May 30, 2009 at 9:48 AM 0
What are the mechanical specs? How wide/long/high? How far do shafts extend from enclosure, and what diameter are they?

amk503

+1.7

| June 10, 2009 at 5:25 PM

Dorsai65, the gearbox is small, about 10cm from the tip of one axle to the other. Each axle extends about 3cm from the gearbox. I can't find precise specs anywhere, I don't believe it was included with the product.

I had no problem driving the motors with a SN754410 quad half H-Bridge. I used it on a small bot which weighed slightly under 1kg. In the high-torque configuration the bot zipped around at about normal walking pace, and had no trouble on slight inclines, thick carpet, etc.

	by youn00b.com +1.2 \| September 1, 2009 at 0:22 AM 0
Assembly is pretty straight forward, instructions could be a little clearer, as the diagrams are only isometric. I was able to get it to turn fully assembled with a "AA" battery (1.5vDC). Not really enough lube for all of the bushings on it, as well as gearing. It did come with mounting spots, as well as with mounting hardware -- a nice feature. Overall, I give it a thumbs up.

	by AdamBaba +1.2 \| September 17, 2009 at 4:47 PM 0
I have purchased and assembled this but both wheels move at the same time. The description says it can drive 2 wheels independently. Is there any trick to get this to work in differential drive? I want each wheel/shaft to move separately.

	by AdamBaba +1.2 \| September 17, 2009 at 11:09 PM 0
nevermind, i had both allen screws tightened on the hex shaft. You are only supposed to do 1 side for differential drive.

	by robo3774 +1 \| October 11, 2009 at 11:10 AM 0
hey..i was working on a grid follower robot which has to pick up blocks and all..for an event (A.N.T.Z ,IIT-Bombay(techfest))..should i go for this arrangement or I should use stepper motors(or DC or servos)..which will be best? n can i increase the distance b/w the tyres..plz reply..

	by Chris S +1.7 \| January 4, 2010 at 2:32 PM 0
Tamiya sells great stuff. Just gone done build a track kit + chassis kit + twin gearbox tank to control with the Arduino.