In fact, Raspberry Pi computers can even be customized to such a degree that you can control things such as motors for various devices, allowing you to become a total tech wizard. In fact, with a little bit of work, it is also possible to control a DC motor using a Raspberry Pi computer. 

But how do you actually control a DC motor with a Raspberry Pi? How do you actually connect the two together, and how do you ensure that they work properly in tandem with each other?

Well, we have the answers you seek!

What Is A DC Motor?

Before we find out how a DC motor can be controlled by a Raspberry Pi computer, let’s take a closer look at what such a motor actually is, and whether it is what you want to make use of!

Put simply, a DC motor is a device that converts electrical power into mechanical electricity that can be used by various devices. DC motors make use of magnetism and create their own magnetic fields, which in turn generate electricity to be used by different devices. 

The magnetism from the motor creates a constant rotation, which helps to generate energy. DC motors are often preferred by those building machinery because they are extremely precise, and can easily change their rotation speeds to allow for precise control of machinery.

Note: Keep in mind that A DC motor differs from a stepper motor when you’re looking to purchase or configure!

How Do You Control A DC Motor With A Raspberry Pi?

Now that you are sure that you want to make use of a DC motor, you will need to know how to connect it to your Raspberry Pi computer. 

First, you will want to make sure that you have the following things.

You will need the latest Raspberry Pi model that you can get a hold of, preferably a Raspberry Pi 3B+ or better! 

You will also need an appropriate DC motor that can connect to the Raspberry Pi. Make sure that the DC motor has the appropriate connectors to connect the device to the Raspberry Pi motherboard.

It is possible to connect two motors to one Raspberry Pi motherboard, but it is important to make sure that you do not overpower the Raspberry Pi or the motor. Choose a motor or two that cannot exceed a current of 1.2 amps.

In order to power the motor, you will also need a motor driver, which will be directly connected to the GPIO pins on the motherboard, and allow the motor to access enough power to spin.

Make sure to grab some connecting wires to bridge between the motherboard and the motor, as well as power supplies for both the Raspberry Pi and the DC motor.

You will need to keep in mind that the Raspberry Pi cannot provide enough power alone to power a DC motor, so you will want a 5v supply for your motor. 

Step 1 – Put Everything Together

Now that you have all of the components that you need, it is time to put them together to create your Raspberry Pi-powered motor. 

You will need to take a look at the specific requirements of each of the motors, as well as the specific requirements of the motor driver in order to ensure that you connect everything properly.

Each of these components will have specific outputs and inputs, so you will want to look up each one in order to see which connections you need to make to your motherboard depending on which Raspberry Pi model you are working with.

Step 2 – Put Together Your Code

Now that you have all of the various components connected together, it is time to put together the executables that the circuit board can use to put everything into action. There are all kinds of codes to be found online, with each one offering certain experiences. 

For example, some codes online may be used to help a single motor to rotate for a five-second period. Make sure that you do not make use of a code that provides too much amperage to the motherboard or the motor. 

Step 3 – Execute Everything

Now that you have put everything together, and you have chosen the perfect code to make everything operate as you want it, you will want to then execute the code that you have entered. 

Head to the terminal of your Raspberry Pi and enter the following code:

“sudo python ~/motor/motor.py”

Hit enter, then reset your Raspberry Pi, and your code will now be put into action as you wished.

Frequently Asked Questions:

To Wrap Up

Controlling a DC motor using a Raspberry Pi computer can be easily done in a few quick steps!

OctoPrint is one of the most popular 3D printing tools because it is a digital platform that allows its users to directly interface with their 3D printing projects and stay on top of everything they are working on.

This is important considering how complex the task of 3D printing can be.

Luckily, OctoPrint can be accessed on a massive number of devices, such as desktop computers, laptops, and recently, even Raspberry Pi computers! 

Raspberry Pi computers are a great option for printing (they are also one of the best computers for cricut as well) and have earned themselves a very healthy reputation across the years because they are incredibly compact and portable, and very easy to customize and change to your own needs and specifications. 

The only problem is because there are so many different models of Raspberry Pi computers available to buy, it can be difficult to tell which is the perfect one for you.

Want to know which Raspberry Pi model you should use for OctoPrint? Then make sure to join us down below, because today we are going to find all of the answers that you seek!

Which Raspberry Pi Model Should You Use For OctoPrint?

If you are trying to decide on which Raspberry Pi model to use with OctoPrint you will want to focus most on how you plan to use the OctoPrint program, as this will dictate your decision.

The OctoPrint website stipulates that you should use a Raspberry Pi model no older than the Raspberry Pi 3B. This is due to performance reasons.

The OctoPrint website further states that you can technically use OctoPrint with older models of Raspberry Pi computers, but the program will run very slowly, and will likely experience many hiccups along the way. 

Generally, when you are looking for the perfect model of Raspberry Pi to run a certain program, you should aim to purchase the one that offers the most RAM, as this will allow the program to run at its best, and may also allow you to run other programs simultaneously. 

However, whether or not you grab a Raspberry Pi unit with more RAM will depend on a number of things. For one, you will want to consider the price of the unit itself.

A Raspberry Pi with more RAM will, of course, cost more as a result of having this increased capacity. If you do not need much RAM, then you should go for a unit that doesn’t cost much because such a unit will save you a lot of money.

You should also make sure to consider whether you plan to run OctoPrint on your Raspberry Pi passively.

Keep in mind that the OctoPrint program requires the use of quite a bit of RAM, which means that, if you want to use other applications at the same time, you will need to consider getting a model with far more RAM.

If you just need the Raspberry Pi unit to act as a passive server for your OctoPrint services, then we recommend that you grab a cheaper unit with less RAM, such as a Raspberry Pi 3B, or a Raspberry Pi 4 1 GB model.

If performance is totally key to you, then it is always best recommended to grab the latest Raspberry Pi model that has a good amount of RAM for the program to draw upon to power itself.

Just be prepared to spend a little more on such units. And if you do plan to use other programs simultaneously with OctoPrint, then we strongly recommend that you still carefully consider what other programs you are using, as you do not want to overload the Raspberry Pi unit, which can easily be done when using a resource heavy platform like OctoPrint.

Should You Install OctoPrint Onto The Raspberry Pi 400?

Because we mentioned that RAM plays a key part in making OctoPrint run efficiently, you are likely now finding yourself wondering whether it would be best to make use of the powerful Raspberry Pi 400 which is renowned for having a high level of RAM.

Using OctoPrint on the Raspberry Pi 400 is more than possible, and it can work incredibly well there. To make things better, you can directly interface with OctoPrint as you use the platform thanks to the built-in keyboard that the Pi 400 unit is encased in. 

However, in the case of the Raspberry Pi 400, you will want to think even harder about how you plan to interact with OctoPrint on the device.

The reason for this is that, while it is possible to use other programs at the same time as OctoPrint on a Raspberry Pi 400, you would still need to consider what programs you are using, because OctoPrint is a rather resource-heavy program. If you overload the Raspberry Pi 400, it will begin to slow down.

If you only plan to use OctoPrint every now and then, say for an hour each day, then it could be well worth your while to install the program onto your Raspberry Pi 400.

However, if you are planning to have OctoPrint running passively for longer periods of time, then it would be difficult to recommend using a Raspberry Pi 400.

The reason for this is that a much cheaper model with slightly less power would be able to carry out the job just as efficiently at a far lower price.

This is also significant considering that the Raspberry Pi 400 comes in a keyboard-shaped case. Surely you’d want to make the most of this case and interact with programs that make the most of it, right? 

Is OctoPrint Worth Installing Onto Your Raspberry Pi?

Unlike many other computer programs, OctoPrint can be run very efficiently on Raspberry Pi devices, because it comes in a specially designed form catered to Raspberry Pi devices.

This means that you can make the most of OctoPrint all from the compact device! 

It is best recommended to make use of OctoPrint with a Raspberry Pi computer if you simply plan to have it passively running across long periods! 

To Wrap Up

Ultimately, it is best to go for a slightly older Raspberry Pi unit, such as a Raspberry Pi 3B, or a Raspberry Pi 4 with slightly less RAM in order to run OctoPrint.

The reason for this is that such models are far cheaper, but will still be able to run OctoPrint for long periods with very little intervention needed on your part! 

However, you still can run OctoPrint on much older Raspberry Pi devices such as models from before the Raspberry Pi 3B, or even with Raspberry Pi 400, but you should be sure to consider how much you plan to use it.

Older models will also not run the application as efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions:

A small and affordable Raspberry Pi unit can be a great way to create a home media server, or even to create your own VPN server hosted right next to your computer.

The only problem is, installing certain programs onto the Raspberry Pi is often a little easier said than done, and there are also distinct challenges that no model of the compact computer can possibly handle. 

With that in mind – let’s walk you through exactly how you can install and run OctoPrint on the Raspberry Pi 400.

What Is OctoPrint?

In order to get a greater sense as to how well it can run the program, it would be good to make sure that we are clear on what exactly OctoPrint actually is. 

OctoPrint is a free interfacing system that allows users to directly control and monitor their 3D printer all within one platform.

This allows them to easily monitor ongoing projects to make sure everything is running efficiently, and quickly find out if any problems occur. 

OctoPrint is entirely open source and entirely free, which means that users can customize the platform as they see fit to achieve specific results.

This is also helped by the fact that the user community online is dedicated to developing their own awesome plugins that can be used with the platform to achieve different things.

Of course, now this begs the question of whether you can run OctoPrint on the Raspberry Pi 400.

Can You Run OctoPrint On The Raspberry Pi 400?

Yes! Luckily, thanks to the amazing ‘OctoPi’ program it is possible to run OctoPrint on the Raspberry Pi 400 in a way that is efficient and directly tailored to the Raspberry Pi 400’s capabilities. 

Generally, the weakest Raspberry Pi model that can run the OctoPi sub-program is the Raspberry Pi 3B model which has just enough power to work.

This means that the more powerful Raspberry Pi 400 will easily be able to take on the challenge of running OctoPrint’s stable of tools. 

How Do You Install OctoPrint On The Raspberry Pi 400?

Luckily, thanks to the fact that OctoPi is a version of OctoPrint specially developed for use with Raspberry Pi computers, it is incredibly easy to actually install OctoPi onto the unit. Let’s look at how to do it. 

Before we start, make sure that you have a Raspberry Pi imager installed on your PC which you will use to create the OctoPi image that can be run by the Raspberry Pi 400.

Step 1 – Download OctoPi

The first step is to head to the OctoPrint website and pick out the perfect OctoPi image for your Raspberry Pi model. 

You will want to find the version of the program that is best catered to the Raspberry Pi 400, which should be listed underneath each version’s name on the website. 

Step 2 – Install The Image

Now that you have the perfect image for your Raspberry Pi, it is time to use the imager we discussed earlier to port the image over to your formatted SD card which should be formatted to work with the Raspberry Pi OS.

Once you have installed the image to the SD card, you can then insert the SD card into the Raspberry Pi unit, and install the image onto the unit itself. 

Step 3 – Open OctoPi 

Now that you have the OctoPi image installed on the Raspberry Pi, you will be able to connect it to your larger OctoPrint server by heading to the browser. 

Head to ‘http://octopi.local’ as this will take you to your individual OctoPrint server which you should have already set up beforehand. 

From here, you will now be able to access your OctoPrint server, which will allow you to manage all of your products far more easily.

Is It Worth Installing OctoPrint On The Raspberry Pi 400?

It is difficult to say whether it is worthwhile to install OctoPrint onto your Raspberry Pi 400 because it ultimately comes down to how often you use it, and what you use it for.  

If you were to only use your Raspberry Pi 400 unit to manage your 3D printing projects, then it may be worth doing.

However, if you were planning to use your Raspberry Pi 400 for multiple purposes aside from OctoPrint, then it may not be as easy to recommend.

The reason for this is that OctoPrint uses a fairly significant amount of RAM, so this means that even if you wanted to use your Raspberry Pi 400 for other applications aside from OctoPrint (e.g. running Windows 10), you would likely experience some significant slowdown, as the RAM could become quickly overloaded. 

This is counterintuitive for the Raspberry Pi 400, as it is designed for interfacing with all kinds of applications because the unit itself takes the form of a keyboard.

Simply using the Raspberry Pi 400 as a passive way to monitor your 3D printing projects would be a waste of this helpful design.

If you just want a passive way to monitor your 3D printing, then it is much easier to recommend that you make use of an older Raspberry Pi unit, such as a Raspberry Pi 3B, or a Raspberry Pi 4, as you would be able to make full use of the RAM of these devices without needing to directly interface with the program. 

This is also your best option because it can help you to save a lot of money, as the Raspberry Pi 400 model does cost quite a significant amount more than others.

To Wrap Up

Luckily, getting OctoPrint to run on a Raspberry Pi 400 is very easy, as you can make use of the specially designed version of the platform that is made for use with Raspberry Pi computers. 

However, before buying a Raspberry Pi 400 just to use with OctoPrint, you should be sure to carefully consider whether you may not be better served by a more affordable Raspberry Pi model, as OctoPrint is a very passive application that will not require much use of the keyboard built into the case of the Raspberry Pi 400.

If you have enjoyed this guide, please check out some of our other topics including; How to host a website on a Raspberry Pi, the most powerful Raspberry Pi alternatives, and the complete guide to Raspberry Pi audio.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Raspberry Pi computers are also similarly prized for their compact size and shape that makes them easy to carry around from place to place. 

However, this means that there can be some degree of conflict when it comes to installing certain things onto the motherboard, as it becomes a matter of balancing this customizability with the unit’s portability.

As such you may be scouring the web to find out whether a Raspberry Pi can work with certain other components.

Today we are going to walk you through how to run a stepper motor with your Raspberry Pi and what you’ll need to do it.

Can A Raspberry Pi Run A Stepper Motor?

Luckily, yes, a Raspberry Pi computer can be used to run a stepper motor, and many people choose to run their own using these small computers.

In order to run a stepper motor using your Raspberry Pi computer, you will need to purchase an appropriate HAT, which allows hardware to be attached directly to the top of the motherboard, allowing the hardware to draw power from the motherboard itself. 

A single HAT on a Raspberry Pi computer will generally be more than enough to power up to 64 stepper motors!

This is a very significant number and helps to make a Raspberry Pi one of the best possible computer options when looking for a controller to use with your stepper motor ensemble.

What Is The Difference Between A Stepper Motor And A DC Motor?

One of the major differences between a stepper motor and a DC motor is the size of the two units.

DC motors tend to vary massively in size and can be very large or very small depending on what is needed from them.

Stepper motors, on the other hand, tend to usually be much larger, and you would be hard-pressed to find one that is significantly small.

This makes them much less portable, hence why many people wonder if they are compatible with Raspberry Pi computers.

What Do You Need In Order To Run A Stepper Motor With A Raspberry Pi?

In order to run a stepper motor with a Raspberry Pi computer, you will of course need to make sure that you have a HAT that you can directly install atop the motherboard of the Raspberry Pi. 

You will also need the Raspberry Pi computer itself. Try to grab a Raspberry Pi with plenty of power to make the motors run.

Alongside the computer itself, try to grab a Micro-SD card that has the Raspberry Pi OS installed on it, as this will allow you to run the code that allows you to power the stepper motors that you hook up to it.

How Do You Get A Stepper Motor To Run Using A Raspberry Pi?

Once you have physically installed the chosen number of stepper motors that you want to power with your Raspberry Pi, all you then need to do is run the correct program that is responsible for making the motors rotate. 

Step 1 – Update Your Raspberry Pi OS

The first thing you should do every time you intend to make changes to your Raspberry Pi is to update the Raspberry Pi OS to its latest version.

This ensures that the computer is running at its best, which allows it to install all of the appropriate programs and any updates. 

To update your Raspberry Pi, head to the command terminal and enter ‘sudo apt-get update’, which should then be followed by ‘sudo apt-get upgrade’, which will cause the upgrade to be installed before rebooting the system. 

Step 2 – Get The HAT Working

Once your Raspberry Pi has been updated, you will need to make sure that it can run the HAT that powers the fans. To do this, you will need to allow I2C communication.

To do this, head to the configuration menu, which is found on the user interface of the Raspberry Pi OS.

From there, simply find the preferences tab, and then look for the tab under that that reads “Interfaces”. From here, you will be able to enable I2C communication. 

Once you have done that, rest the unit to lock the changes in.

Step 3 – Download The Right Packages

Head to your terminal, and download the packages that can run the motors. Head to the terminal and enter the command:

“Sudo apt-get update

Sudo pip3 install adafruit-circuitpython-motorkit’

Once you have the packages installed and running on the computer, you can now use the interface to enter in specific code to get specific results from the motor.

We recommend heading to the internet to find the perfect codes for the perfect motor speed. 

To Wrap Up

As you can now see Raspberry Pi computers can be used to run stepper motors, but you will need to make sure that you have the right HATs installed, as well as the correct packages installed into the computer to ensure that they will be able to spin as required.

Frequently Asked Questions: