Just like we did in the previous circuit, copy and paste the code into a new Arduino sketch. Then compile and upload it to your metro

/*     -----------------------------------------------------------
 *     |  Arduino Experimentation Kit Example Code               |
 *     |  CIRC-03 .: Spin Motor Spin :. (Transistor and Motor)   |
 *     -----------------------------------------------------------
 * 
 * The Arduinos pins are great for driving LEDs however if you hook 
 * up something that requires more power you will quickly break them.
 * To control bigger items we need the help of a transistor. 
 * Here we will use a transistor to control a small toy motor
 * 
 *
 */

int motorPin = 9;  // define the pin the motor is connected to
                   // (if you use pin 9,10,11 or 3you can also control speed)

/*
 * setup() - this function runs once when you turn your Arduino on
 * We set the motors pin to be an output (turning the pin high (+5v) or low (ground) (-))
 * rather than an input (checking whether a pin is high or low)
 */
void setup()
{
 pinMode(motorPin, OUTPUT); 
}


/*
 * loop() - this function will start after setup finishes and then repeat
 * we call a function called motorOnThenOff()
 */

void loop()                     // run over and over again
{
 motorOnThenOff();
 //motorOnThenOffWithSpeed();
 //motorAcceleration();
}

/*
 * motorOnThenOff() - turns motor on then off 
 * (notice this code is identical to the code we used for
 * the blinking LED)
 */
void motorOnThenOff(){
  int onTime = 2500;  //the number of milliseconds for the motor to turn on for
  int offTime = 1000; //the number of milliseconds for the motor to turn off for
  
  digitalWrite(motorPin, HIGH); // turns the motor On
  delay(onTime);                // waits for onTime milliseconds
  digitalWrite(motorPin, LOW);  // turns the motor Off
  delay(offTime);               // waits for offTime milliseconds
}

/*
 * motorOnThenOffWithSpeed() - turns motor on then off but uses speed values as well 
 * (notice this code is identical to the code we used for
 * the blinking LED)
 */
void motorOnThenOffWithSpeed(){
  
  int onSpeed = 200;  // a number between 0 (stopped) and 255 (full speed) 
  int onTime = 2500;  //the number of milliseconds for the motor to turn on for
  
  int offSpeed = 50;  // a number between 0 (stopped) and 255 (full speed) 
  int offTime = 1000; //the number of milliseconds for the motor to turn off for
  
  analogWrite(motorPin, onSpeed);   // turns the motor On
  delay(onTime);                    // waits for onTime milliseconds
  analogWrite(motorPin, offSpeed);  // turns the motor Off
  delay(offTime);                   // waits for offTime milliseconds
}

/*
 * motorAcceleration() - accelerates the motor to full speed then
 * back down to zero
*/
void motorAcceleration(){
  int delayTime = 50; //milliseconds between each speed step
  
  //Accelerates the motor
  for(int i = 0; i < 256; i++){ //goes through each speed from 0 to 255
    analogWrite(motorPin, i);   //sets the new speed
    delay(delayTime);           // waits for delayTime milliseconds
  }
  
  //Decelerates the motor
  for(int i = 255; i >= 0; i--){ //goes through each speed from 255 to 0
    analogWrite(motorPin, i);   //sets the new speed
    delay(delayTime);           // waits for delayTime milliseconds
  }
}

Having Trouble with CIRC03?

Motor Not Spinning?

If you sourced your own transistor, double check with the data sheet that the pinout is compatible with a PN2222 (many are reversed).

Check Your Motor

If you sourced your own motor, double check that it will work with 5 volts and that it does not draw too much power.

Still having issues?

Sometimes the Metro board will disconnect from the computer. Try un-plugging and then re-plugging it into your USB port.

This guide was first published on Aug 18, 2017. It was last updated on Jun 12, 2017.

This page (Code) was last updated on Jun 16, 2017.

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