Control Stepper Motor(NEMA17) by EasyDriver with Arduino

Stepper (or step) motors are really cool. They are perfect for automation or any time you need a motor to turn to a specific point, at a specific speed, in a specific direction. For this article I wont get into why, or how, but unlike typical motors, steppers are able to do all of this, and hold their position when they are not moving - You pay for this by essentially powering them at full power all the time, but you get total control in return.

Hardware Requirements:

1. Arduino Uno with cable 
2. EasyDriver 
3. Nema17 Stepper Motor
4. 12V Battery or Power adapter 
5. Jumper Wires 

Connection:

(Arduino To Easy Driver)

Digital Pin 2 >> DIR

Digital Pin 3 >> STEP

GND >> GND

(Nema17 To Easy Driver)

Red Wire > A

Grean Wire > A

Yellow > B

Blue > B

Because steppers hold their position until you tell them to "step" you can easily control their speed with some great advantages. Unlike a typical motor, steppers actually are stronger when moving slower. And... You don't change the amount of power to the motor to control its speed - In fact, you almost never need to change the amount of power to the motor - So just give it what it needs, and keep it that way.

Hooking it up

Only a few things need to connected to use the EasyDriver to use it with your Arduino. You need some 12V source to the EasyDriver (the motor in this article is 12V) - This will be powering the stepper - Im using a 12V adapter - similar to the one in the illustration. Just make sure it is rated at least 750ma - A higher rating is better, and just means it wont burn out. Connect the stepper motor as shown to the EasyDriver - The red/green are one pair, and the blue/yellow are another. If your stepper is different, you can ask us in the forum/discussion area how to find the 2 pairs. Lastly connect the 3 wires from the "gnd", "dir", and "step" of the EasyDriver to the Arduino as shown.