![\"ESP8266](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ESP8266-Control-DC-Motor-Arduino-IDE-Speed-Direction.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nNote<\/strong>: there are many ways to control a DC motor. We’ll be using the L298N motor driver. This tutorial is also compatible with similar motor driver modules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This tutorial covers the following topics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you using an ESP32?<\/strong> Follow this tutorial instead: ESP32 with DC Motor and L298N Motor Driver \u2013 Control Speed and Direction<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before proceeding, make sure you check the following prerequisites:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We’ll program the ESP8266 using Arduino IDE. So, make sure you have the ESP8266 board installed. Follow the next tutorial if you haven\u2019t already:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alternatively, you may also want to program the ESP8266 using VS Code and the platformIO extension:<\/p>\n\n\n\n To complete this tutorial you need the following parts:<\/p>\n\n\n You can use the preceding links or go directly to MakerAdvisor.com\/tools<\/a> to find all the parts for your projects at the best price!<\/p> There are several ways to control a DC motor. The method we\u2019ll use here is suitable for most hobbyist motors, that require 6V or 12V to operate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re going to use the L298N motor driver that can handle up to 3A at 35V. Additionally, it allows us to drive two DC motors simultaneously, which is perfect for building a robot. If you’re using a different motor driver, don’t worry, most of those modules work similarly and have the same input and output pins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The L298N motor driver is shown in the following figure:<\/p>\n\n\n Let\u2019s take a look at the L298N motor driver pinout and see how it works.<\/p>\n\n\n The motor driver has a two-terminal block on each side for each motor. OUT1<\/strong> and OUT2<\/strong> at the left and OUT3<\/strong> and OUT4<\/strong> at the right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the bottom, you have a three-terminal block with +12V<\/span>, GND<\/span>, and +5V<\/span>. The +12V<\/span> terminal block is used to power up the motors. The +5V<\/span> terminal is used to power up the L298N chip. However, if the jumper is in place, the chip is powered using the motor\u2019s power supply and you don\u2019t need to supply 5V through the +5V<\/span> terminal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Important: despite the +12V terminal name, you can supply any voltage between 5V and 35V (but 6V to 12V is the recommended range).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Note:<\/strong> if you supply more than 12V, you need to remove the jumper and supply 5V to the +5V terminal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this tutorial, we’ll be using 4 AA 1.5V batteries that combined output approximately 6V, but you can use any other suitable power supply. For example, you can use a bench power supply<\/a> to test this tutorial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In summary:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At the bottom right you have four input pins and two enable terminals. The input pins are used to control the direction of your DC motors, and the enable pins are used to control the speed of each motor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are jumper caps on the enable pins by default. You need to remove those jumper caps to control the speed of your motors. Otherwise, they will either be stopped or spinning at the maximum speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you understand how the motor driver works, let\u2019s see how to use it to control a DC motor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The enable pins are like an ON and OFF switch for the motors. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Prerequisites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
ESP8266 with Arduino IDE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Parts Required<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"ESP8266](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ESP8266-control-DC-Motor-L298N.jpg?resize=750%2C422&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/header-200.png?w=1200&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nIntroducing the L298N Motor Driver<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"298N](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/298n-motor-driver.jpg?resize=750%2C500&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nL298N Motor Driver pinout<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"L298N](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/L298N-label.jpg?resize=750%2C500&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Control DC motors with the L298N Motor Driver<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Enable pins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"ESP8266](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ESP8266-Circuit-DC-Motor-L298N.jpg?resize=1165%2C1322&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Powering](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/4-AA-batteries.jpg?resize=750%2C499&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Wiring](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/DC-Motor-with-capacitor.jpg?resize=750%2C422&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Control](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Control-DC-Motor-ESP8266-L298N-motor-driver.jpg?resize=750%2C422&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Control](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/randomnerdtutorials.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Control-DC-Motor.jpg?resize=750%2C422&quality=100&strip=all&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n