Jrk G2 21v3 USB Motor Controller with Feedback (Connectors Soldered)

Pololu item #: 3143
Brand: Pololu supply outlook
Status: Rationed (Active and Preferred) 
RoHS 3 compliant

Price break Unit price (US$)
1 61.95
5 56.99


backorders allowed

This compact motor controller makes closed-loop speed or position (but not both!) control of a brushed DC motor easy, with quick configuration over USB using our free software. It supports five control interfaces: USB, TTL serial, I²C, analog voltage (potentiometer), and hobby radio control (RC). This version offers a 4.5 V to 28 V operating range and can deliver continuous output currents up to 2.6 A (5 A peak) without a heat sink. This version ships with soldered header pins and terminal blocks.

Alternatives available with variations in these parameter(s): version Select variant…

 Description Specs (13) Pictures (9) Resources (16) FAQs (1) On the blog (2) 

Overview


With integrated support for analog voltage or tachometer (frequency) feedback, the second-generation G2 family of Jrk motor controllers makes it easy to add closed-loop control of speed or position (but not both!) of a single brushed DC motor to a variety of projects. These versatile, general-purpose modules support five different control interfaces: USB for direct connection to a computer, TTL serial and I²C for use with a microcontroller, RC hobby servo pulses for use in an RC system, and analog voltages for use with a potentiometer or analog joystick. They also offer many settings that can be configured using our free configuration software utility for Windows, Linux, and macOS. This software simplifies initial setup of the device and allows for in-system testing and monitoring of the controller via USB (a micro-B USB cable is required to connect the Jrk G2 to a computer).

The table below lists the members of the Jrk family, including the original (green) versions, and shows the key differences among them.


Jrk
21v3

Jrk
12v12

Jrk G2
21v3

Jrk G2
18v19

Jrk G2
24v13

Jrk G2
18v27

Jrk G2
24v21
Recommended max
operating voltage:
28 V(1) 16 V 28 V(1) 24 V(2) 34 V(3) 24 V(2) 34 V(3)
Max nominal
battery voltage:
24 V 12 V 24 V 18 V 28 V 18 V 28 V
Max continuous current
(no additional cooling):
2.5 A* 12 A 2.6 A 19 A 13 A 27 A 21 A
USB, TTL serial,
Analog, RC control:
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
I²C control: Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Hardware current limiting: Yes Yes Yes Yes
Dimensions: 1.35″ × 1.35″ 1.85″ × 1.35″ 1.0″ × 1.2″ 1.4″ × 1.2″ 1.7″ × 1.2″
Price: $79.95 $199.95 $59.95 $119.95 $119.95 $149.95 $159.95
1 Transient operation (< 500 ms) up to 40 V.
2 30 V absolute max.
3 40 V absolute max.
* Reduced from “3 A” based on newer, more stringent tests. The value now is directly comparable to the rating for the newer G2 21v3.

Pololu Jrk G2 18v19 USB Motor Controller with Feedback controlling an industrial-duty linear actuator with an RC receiver.

Pololu Jrk G2 18v27 USB Motor Controller with Feedback controlling a high-power motor from USB.

Main features of the Jrk G2 family

  • Easy open-loop or closed-loop control of one brushed DC motor
  • A variety of control interfaces:
    • USB for direct connection to a computer
    • TTL serial operating at 5 V for use with a microcontroller
    • I²C for use with a microcontroller
    • RC hobby servo pulses for use in an RC system
    • Analog voltage for use with a potentiometer or analog joystick
  • Feedback options:
    • Analog voltage (0 V to 5 V), for making a closed-loop servo system
    • Frequency, for closed-loop speed control using pulse counting (for higher-frequency feedback) or pulse timing (for lower-frequency feedback)
    • None, for open-loop speed control
    • Note: the Jrk does not support using quadrature encoders for position control
  • Ultrasonic 20 kHz PWM for quieter operation (can be configured to use 5 kHz instead)
  • Simple configuration and calibration over USB with free configuration software utility (for Windows, Linux, and macOS)
  • Configurable parameters include:
    • PID period and PID coefficients (feedback tuning parameters)
    • Maximum current
    • Maximum duty cycle
    • Maximum acceleration and deceleration
    • Error response
    • Input calibration (learning) for analog and RC control
  • Optional CRC error detection eliminates communication errors caused by noise or software faults
  • Reversed-power protection
  • Field-upgradeable firmware
  • Optional feedback potentiometer disconnect detection
  • Arduino library makes it easy to get started using these controllers with an Arduino or compatible board
  • Comprehensive user’s guide

Details for item #3143

The Jrk G2 21v3 operates from 4.5 V to 28 V and can deliver a continuous output current of 2.6 A (5 A peak) without a heat sink. The controller supports transient operation (< 500 ms) up to 40 V, and the maximum recommended nominal battery voltage is 24 V. This version is sold with connectors soldered, so no soldering is necessary to use it.

A version is also available with header pins and terminal blocks included but not soldered, which allows for custom installations.

Comparison to the original Jrk motor controllers

The Jrk G2 family features a number of improvements compared to our original two Jrk motor controllers (21v3 and 12v12). Most importantly, the Jrk G2 controllers support both higher operating voltages and larger output currents while being even more compact than their predecessors. Other new features include:

Comparison of the newer Jrk G2 21v3 (black PCB) with the original Jrk 21v3 (green PCB).

  • Configurable hardware current limiting on higher-power versions – the motor drivers on the Jrk G2 18v19, 18v27, 24v13, and 24v21 use current chopping to actively limit the motor current when it exceeds a software-configurable threshold (the Jrk G2 21v3 has fixed hardware current limiting and optional software current limiting)
  • More accurate speed control at low tachometer frequencies
  • I²C interface provides an additional control option
  • VIN measurement capability allows monitoring of battery or power supply
  • USB Micro-B connector (instead of Mini-B as on the original Jrk controllers)
  • Configurable deceleration limiting (the original Jrks just supported configurable acceleration limiting)
  • PID coefficients can now be adjusted on the fly over the serial, I²C, and USB interfaces

The Jrk G2 controllers are not drop-in replacements for the original Jrk controllers because of differences in their form factors and pin arrangements, although wiring changes should be straightforward. The Jrk G2 serial protocol is compatible with (and generally a superset of) the original Jrk serial protocol, so in many cases, serial interface software running on a microcontroller or computer will not need to be modified to work with a Jrk G2.

People often buy this product together with:

Mounting Bracket for Glideforce Light-Duty Linear Actuators - Aluminum Mounting Bracket for Glideforce Light-Duty Linear Actuators - Aluminum
Mounting Bracket Pair for Glideforce Light-Duty Linear Actuators - Steel Mounting Bracket Pair for Glideforce Light-Duty Linear Actuators - Steel

Related Products

Thin (2mm) USB Cable A to Micro-B, 6 ft, Low/Full-Speed Only
USB Cable A to Micro-B, 6 ft
Jrk G2 21v3 USB Motor Controller with Feedback
Jrk G2 18v19 USB Motor Controller with Feedback
Jrk G2 24v13 USB Motor Controller with Feedback
Jrk G2 18v27 USB Motor Controller with Feedback
Jrk G2 24v21 USB Motor Controller with Feedback
Jrk 21v3 USB Motor Controller with Feedback
RoboClaw Solo 60A Motor Controller
RoboClaw 2x60A Motor Controller (V7)
Pololu Simple High-Power Motor Controller 18v15 (Fully Assembled)
Pololu G2 High-Power Motor Driver 18v25
Pololu Dual G2 High-Power Motor Driver 24v14 Shield for Arduino
Pololu Dual G2 High-Power Motor Driver 18v18 for Raspberry Pi (Partial Kit)
Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (Connectors Soldered)
Micro Maestro 6-Channel USB Servo Controller (Assembled)
Tamiya Plug with 10cm Leads, Female
Tamiya Plug with 10cm Leads, Male
T Connector Male-Female Pair
XT60 Connector Male-Female Pair, Black
XT60 Connector Male-Female Pair, Yellow
0.100" (2.54 mm) Breakaway Male Header: 1×40-Pin, Straight, Black

Related Categories

Pololu Jrk Motor Controllers with Feedback
Pololu Jrk G2 Motor Controllers with Feedback
Pololu Metal Gearmotors
Glideforce Light-Duty (LD) Linear Actuators
Glideforce Medium-Duty (MD) Linear Actuators
Glideforce Industrial-Duty (ID) Linear Actuators
Premium Jumper Wires
Wires with Pre-Crimped Terminals
Pololu Simple Motor Controllers
RoboClaw Motor Controllers
Pololu High-Power Motor Drivers
Tic Stepper Motor Controllers
Maestro USB Servo Controllers
Development Boards (Programmable Controllers)
RC Interface
Nuts and Screws
Log In
Pololu Robotics & Electronics
Shopping cart
(702) 262-6648
Same-day shipping, worldwide
Menu
Shop Blog Forum Support
My account Comments or questions? About Pololu Contact Ordering information Distributors