Pololu 8-35V 2A Single Bipolar Stepper Motor Driver A4988
Description
- Breakout board for Allegro's A4988 microstepping bipolar stepper motor driver
- Simple step and direction control interface
- Operates from 8-35 V and delivers up to 2A per coil
- Adjustable current limiting and five different microstep resolutions
The Pololu 8-35V 2A Single Bipolar Stepper Motor Driver A4988 is a breakout board for Allegro's easy-to-use A4988 microstepping bipolar stepper motor driver and is a drop-in replacement for the A4983 stepper motor driver carrier. The driver features adjustable current limiting, overcurrent protection, and five different microstep resolutions.
This breakout board for Allegro’s A4988 microstepping bipolar stepper motor driver features adjustable current limiting, over-current and over-temperature protection, and five different microstep resolutions (down to 1/16-step). It operates from 8 V to 35 V and can deliver up to approximately 1 A per phase without a heat sink or forced air flow (it is rated for 2 A per coil with sufficient additional cooling). This board ships with 0.1″ male header pins included but not soldered in.
Features:
• Simple step and direction control interface
• Intelligent chopping control that automatically selects the correct current decay mode (fast decay or slow decay)
• Five different step resolutions: full-step, half-step, quarter-step, eighth-step, and sixteenth-step
• Over-temperature thermal shutdown, under-voltage lockout, and crossover-current protection
• Short to ground and shorted-load protection
- Size: 0.6" × 0.8"
- Weight: 1.3 g
- Minimum operating voltage: 8 V
- Maximum operating voltage: 35 V
- Continuous current per phase: 1 A
- Maximum current per phase: 2 A
- Minimum logic voltage: 3 V
- Maximum logic voltage: 5.5 V
- Microstep resolutions: full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, and 1/16
- Reverse voltage protection: N
- Header pins soldered: N
Pretty much plug and play by following the pin layouts on the datasheet. Only requires step and direction inputs to run. Works with bipolar and unipolar stepper motors. More info can be found on the pololu page.
This is a really nice stepper driver, with good instructions so you can easily use the micro-stepping modes, current limiting, etc., to get the max performance out of your motor. Even if you don't want to use the features, just leave the mode pins unconnected and you have a simple 2-wire interface to run the 4-wire motor. You can't beat this device for the money. Does get hot if you leave the enable pin on.
I have a 12 volt stepper salvaged from a disk drive. I connected it using an Arduino Uno. Ran the sketches with no problems.
Needed to add heat sinks at the bottom of the pcb where the thermal vias are and a copper heat sink on the top of the chip; the way I've used it temps got >>80 degrees C; now it works fine. Sometimes my steppers are showing strange things (stepping back instead of forward); probably a temp thing because it only happens after driving them for a while. For "lights" stuff this is more than ok!
Nice little unit performs to specs
Estimate shipping
Refund Policy
If you are not satisfied with a product purchased from the Site, you may request a return within 30 days from the delivery date, unless the product is listed under the Return Exceptions below or is subject to specific return conditions noted on the product page.
This return policy also applies, as a minimum standard, to products sold and fulfilled by third-party vendors through the Marketplace.
Please review the Return Conditions, Return Exceptions and the process on How to Request a Return Authorisation (RA) before initiating a return request.
United Kingdom consumers exercising their statutory Right of Cancellation are subject to different conditions. See the Statutory Right of Cancellation.
Returns under this policy concern non-defective products. In the case of a confirmed manufacturing defect, remedies are handled under the Warranty terms, at the Vendor's discretion. See the Warranty section.
Return Conditions
To qualify for a refund under the 30-day return policy, all of the following conditions must be met:
- A valid Return Authorisation (RA) number must be obtained prior to returning the product. Returns without an RA number will be refused.
- The RA number is valid for 30 days. The returned item must be received within that period.
- The RA number must be included with the return.
- Products must be returned in unused, unmodified condition (e.g., no scratches, alterations, missing parts, or signs of installation/use) and in their original packaging, suitable for resale.
- Shipping fees are non-refundable. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer, except in cases of a product confirmed defective through RobotShop's troubleshooting process or of a verified shipping error by RobotShop.
- Refunds are processed within 7 days after receipt and inspection of the returned item.
- A £100 cleaning fee may apply to domestic robots returned in used or unclean condition.
- A 20% restocking fee may apply to large-quantity returns of items ordered specifically for the customer from the manufacturer or not part of RobotShop's standard inventory.
Return Exceptions
The following products are not eligible for return or refund under this policy:
- Used, damaged, or modified products — Items that show signs of use, wear, or alteration, making them unsuitable for resale.
- Consumables * — Use and wear-and-tear components, altered or depleted through use (e.g., batteries, belts, brushes, gears, filament, tyres, disposable bags, lubricants, greases, waxes, etc.). Not eligible for return once opened or used.
- Perishables — Goods liable to deteriorate or expire rapidly. Not eligible for return.
- Sealed goods (health or hygiene) — Items sealed for health-protection or hygiene reasons (e.g., masks, gloves, odour-absorbing products). Not eligible for return once unsealed.
- Build-it-yourself products and items requiring customer assembly * — Including robots & kits, robot parts, and other products requiring assembly or soldering. Not eligible for return once assembled, soldered, or installed.
- Digital Goods, Software, and Apps * — Final sale only, due to licensing restrictions.
- Clearance Items * — Products identified as clearance or final sale, including end-of-life or discontinued items.
- Custom-made, personalized, or special-order items — Products manufactured, configured, adapted, or built to the customer's own specifications and requirements.
- On-Demand Items * — Standard catalogue products not stocked by RobotShop and ordered specifically to fulfil a customer request.
- Professional & Specialized Equipment — See the Professional & Specialized Equipment Warranty page and Professional & Institutional Buyers (B2B) section in the Terms & Conditions.
* United-Kingdom consumers retain their statutory Right of Cancellation on these items. Its exercise is subject to the conditions and exclusions set out in the Statutory Right of Cancellation, and any reimbursement may be reduced to reflect a loss in value resulting from handling beyond inspection.
How to Request a Return Authorisation (RA)
While the same return policy applies, these orders require a separate contact process for returns.
- RobotShop Fulfilled Orders → submit a support ticket from your account under My Support Tickets.
- Marketplace Vendor Orders → submit a ticket from your account under My Marketplace Tickets to contact the vendor directly.
Note: Marketplace vendor products are normally labelled with SKUs starting with RM, and identified on the product page with the mention "Sold and fulfilled by [Vendor Name]".
