Matrix user forums

Thank you for your reply.

Just to reassure you, I normally use 13.5V supply using your adaptor ordered from Matrix Multimedia.

Then I reduced the voltage to 9V by changing the selector on the adaptor, just to see if it would still operate. It did but thats when chips U3 or U6 on the board got hot.

Hello We use a 13.5V supply because the PICmicro devices require at least 12V to allow them to be programmed. The extra voltage is recommended because there is a small voltage drop across the bridge rectifier. If you simply want to run the device then you can power from USB 5V or you can use approx...

I was just wondering if the board has a regulator to output 5V to the PIC, then why does it need a high voltage of 13.5V power supply? Can it be lower just to operate the PIC?
Surely this bigger voltage difference means a larger heat dissapation from the regulator?

I just tried it and I managed to get it working eventually. I made the motor go slow for the first 10 seconds then fast for the next 10 seconds in flowcode.

Thank you for the reply.

Its only a small lego type motor so I should not draw a lot of current and also if I don't run the motor at its full speed.

Try it I suppose.

Can I connect a small motor to the +5V output of the development board and control its speed using PWM and a transistor?

I've tried putting a 100uF capacitor in but didn't seem to make any difference. Infact it gets hotter with the capacitor in.

It sometimes gets hot and sometimes doesn't. I think it happens when I operate the 7 LED segment display.