TB9051FTG Single Brushed DC Motor Driver Carrier — 4.5–28V, 2.6A Continuous

Need a compact driver that can push a real DC motor (not just toy loads)? The Pololu TB9051FTG carrier is a single-channel H-bridge for one brushed DC motor with a wide 4.5V–28V motor supply, up to 2.6A continuous (and ~5A peak typical for a few seconds, cooling-dependent). It also adds reverse-voltage protection on the motor supply, plus built-in protections in the IC for under-voltage, over-current/short-circuit, and over-temperature. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Quiet PWM-ready: supports PWM control up to 20kHz (great for quieter motor control). :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
“Graceful” current limiting: automatic current chopping helps prevent abrupt thermal shutdown by reducing power when pushed.
Error output: active-low DIAG pin flags faults (over-current, over-temp, under-voltage, or VCC over-voltage).
Current monitor: analog OCM output is about 0.5V/A (only valid while driving).
Compact build: ~1.0" × 1.0" board with an exposed solderable ground pad underneath the IC for heat spreading.

Power note: This board needs two supplies: VIN (motor) = 4.5–28V, and VCC (logic) = regulated 5V. Reverse-voltage protection applies to motor voltage only (not the logic supply).

Why/Benefits

For stronger DC motors

Wide motor voltage: 4.5–28V
2.6A continuous output (thermal-dependent)
On-board reverse protection on VIN

Cleaner integration

Simple control pins + jumper spots to override default states
DIAG fault output for safer systems
OCM analog current monitor for tuning/telemetry

Technical specifications

Driver IC	Toshiba TB9051FTG
Motor type	1× brushed DC motor (H-bridge, bidirectional)
Motor supply (VIN)	4.5V to 28V (note: 4.5–8V reduces max current output)
Transient tolerance	<500ms up to 40V (transient operation)
Continuous output current	2.6A typical (VIN > 8V, ~90% duty, room temp; cooling dependent)
Peak output current	5A typical for a few seconds (cooling dependent)
Logic supply (VCC)	Regulated 5V required
Max PWM frequency	20kHz (PWM1/PWM2 method)
Current monitor (OCM)	~0.5V per amp (active only while driving)
Reverse-voltage protection	Yes (motor voltage only; logic supply not protected)
Board size	1.0" × 1.0" × 0.3" (without included hardware)
Weight	3.1g (without included hardware)

Pinout & power notes

Power: VIN for motor supply (reverse-protected) + VCC for regulated 5V logic + shared GND
Motor outputs: OUT1 and OUT2 to the motor.
Control pins: PWM1, PWM2, EN, ENB, OCC (over-current behavior).
Status/monitor: DIAG (fault output) and OCM (analog current monitor).
PWM tip: For “drive-brake/slow decay”, use PWM on PWM1/PWM2 (up to 20kHz). “Drive-coast/fast decay” using PWM on EN/ENB is possible but has practical frequency limits due to minimum off-time.

FAQ

Can I run it directly from a 2S/3S/6S battery?

Yes—as long as your motor supply stays within 4.5–28V (with <500ms transient tolerance up to 40V). You still need a regulated 5V logic supply on VCC.
Do I need a heatsink?

If you plan to run near the continuous limit, add airflow/heatsinking. Pololu notes the chip can do ~5A only briefly, while ~2.6A is sustainable for minutes depending on cooling.
What does OCM output?

OCM provides an analog current monitor of ~0.5V per amp, but only while the H-bridge is actively driving (not accurate during braking/coast).