How to Use N20 motor/Hall sensor: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The N20 motor with a Hall sensor is a compact, high-performance DC motor equipped with an integrated Hall-effect sensor for precise speed and position feedback. This motor is widely used in robotics, automation systems, and small-scale mechatronics projects due to its small size, efficiency, and ability to provide real-time feedback.

• Robotic arms and mobile robots
• Automated door locks and mechanisms
• Precision control systems
• Educational and DIY electronics projects
• Encoder-based motor control for speed and position monitoring

1. Power the Motor: Connect the Motor + and Motor - pins to a motor driver or power supply. Ensure the voltage matches the motor's rated voltage.
2. Power the Hall Sensor: Connect the VCC pin to a 3.3V or 5V power source and the GND pin to the ground.
3. Read the Signal: Connect the Signal pin to a microcontroller's digital input pin to read the Hall sensor's output.

• Use an L298N motor driver to control the motor.
• Connect the Hall sensor's Signal pin to an Arduino UNO's digital pin (e.g., D2).

The following code demonstrates how to read the Hall sensor's output and calculate the motor's speed in RPM.

// Define pin for Hall sensor signal
const int hallSensorPin = 2;

// Variables to store pulse count and time
volatile int pulseCount = 0;
unsigned long lastTime = 0;
float rpm = 0;

// Interrupt service routine for counting pulses
void countPulses() {
  pulseCount++;
}

void setup() {
  // Initialize serial communication
  Serial.begin(9600);

  // Set Hall sensor pin as input
  pinMode(hallSensorPin, INPUT);

  // Attach interrupt to the Hall sensor pin
  attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(hallSensorPin), countPulses, RISING);

  // Initialize timing
  lastTime = millis();
}

void loop() {
  // Calculate RPM every second
  unsigned long currentTime = millis();
  if (currentTime - lastTime >= 1000) {
    // Calculate RPM: (pulses per second) * (60 seconds per minute) / (pulses per revolution)
    rpm = (pulseCount * 60.0) / 2.0; // 2 pulses per revolution
    pulseCount = 0; // Reset pulse count
    lastTime = currentTime; // Update time

    // Print RPM to serial monitor
    Serial.print("Motor RPM: ");
    Serial.println(rpm);
  }
}

• Power Supply: Ensure the motor and Hall sensor are powered within their specified voltage ranges to avoid damage.
• Debouncing: If the Hall sensor signal is noisy, consider adding a capacitor or software debouncing.
• Motor Driver: Use a motor driver capable of handling the motor's stall current to prevent damage.

1. Motor Not Spinning

   • Cause: Insufficient power supply or incorrect wiring.
   • Solution: Verify the power supply voltage and check the motor connections.

2. No Signal from Hall Sensor

   • Cause: Incorrect wiring or insufficient power to the Hall sensor.
   • Solution: Ensure the VCC and GND pins are properly connected and the Signal pin is connected to the microcontroller.

3. Inaccurate RPM Readings

   • Cause: Noise in the Hall sensor signal or incorrect pulse count calculation.
   • Solution: Add a capacitor across the Hall sensor's power pins or implement software filtering.

1. Can the N20 motor run without the Hall sensor?

   • Yes, the motor can operate without using the Hall sensor, but you will lose speed and position feedback.

2. What is the maximum RPM the Hall sensor can measure?

   • The maximum measurable RPM depends on the microcontroller's interrupt handling speed and the motor's pulse frequency.

3. Can I use the Hall sensor with a 3.3V microcontroller?

   • Yes, the Hall sensor operates at 3.3V to 5V, making it compatible with most microcontrollers.

By following this documentation, you can effectively integrate the N20 motor with Hall sensor into your projects for precise motor control and feedback.