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The very popular cheapy L298N motor driver modules are for driving two 4A DC motors. For a bigger motor, say 8A, we can parallel two drivers into one big driver.

Channel 1 output to Motor 1 = 90mA Channel 2 output Not connected = 0.7mA

Channel 1 output to Motor 1 = 52mA Channel 2 output to Motor 1 = 48mA

Total motor current = 52mA + 48mA = 100mA Channel 1 load = 52% Channel 2 load current = 48%

The very popular cheapy L298N motor driver modules are for driving two 4A (update: 2A each bridge) DC motors. For a bigger motor, say 8A (update: 4A), we can parallel two drivers into one big driver.

Channel 1 output to Motor 1 = 90mA

Channel 2 output Not connected = 0.7mA

Channel 1 output to Motor 1 = 52mA

Channel 2 output to Motor 1 = 48mA

Total motor current = 52mA + 48mA = 100mA

Channel 1 load = 52%

Channel 2 load current = 48%

Part 8 - Preliminary Test Results of two channels (full H-bridges) in parallel to drive only one motor

Part 8 - Preliminary Test Results of two channels (full H-bridges) in parallel to drive only one motor

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Update 2021mar30hkt1601

Preliminary testing shows that when two full H-bradges are paralleled to drive one motor:

1. The motor load current is shared between the two channels as 52% : 48%

2. The total load current is increased by 10%. In other words overall effeciency is 90%

Conclusion: It is a good idea to parallel two bridges for a bigger current

See Part 7 below for more details.

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