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Lesson 107-1: Start and Stop the 28BYJ-48 Stepper Motor with Direction Set in Code

Lesson 107-1: Start and Stop the 28BYJ-48 Stepper Motor with Direction Set in Code

Project 1: Basic Motor Control – 28BYJ-48 Stepper Motor

This article is part of a comprehensive video tutorial that demonstrates 8 practical projects using the 28BYJ-48 stepper motor. Each project highlights a different method of controlling the motor, from simple logic to serial communication and user interfaces. The source code and wiring diagrams for each project are provided below this article for your reference and implementation.

🔧 Introduction

The 28BYJ-48 stepper motor is a popular, low-cost motor often used in embedded systems, IoT projects, and automation tasks. This first project provides a foundation by demonstrating basic motor control: how to rotate the stepper motor forward and backward using Arduino code.

This serves as the building block for more advanced projects covered in the series.


⚙️ Wiring Diagram

The wiring for Project 1 is straightforward. The 28BYJ-48 stepper motor is connected to the ULN2003 driver board, which then interfaces with an Arduino Uno as follows:

  • IN1 → Arduino pin 8

  • IN2 → Arduino pin 9

  • IN3 → Arduino pin 10

  • IN4 → Arduino pin 11

  • 5V and GND from Arduino to ULN2003

Caption: Wiring diagram for Project 1: Basic Motor Control using ULN2003 driver.


💻 Code Explanation

This project uses the Stepper library included with the Arduino IDE. The core logic is as follows:

  1. Library Import and Constants:

#include <Stepper.h>
const int stepsPerRevolution = 2048;
  1. Stepper Object Initialization:

Stepper myStepper(stepsPerRevolution, 8, 10, 9, 11);

Note the pin order matches the motor coil sequence for smooth operation.

  1. Setup Function:

void setup() {
  myStepper.setSpeed(10);
  Serial.begin(9600);
}
  • Sets speed to 10 RPM.

  • Starts the serial monitor for debugging.

  1. Loop Function:

void loop() {
  myStepper.step(stepsPerRevolution); // Forward rotation
  delay(1000);
  myStepper.step(-stepsPerRevolution); // Reverse rotation
  delay(1000);
}
  • The motor turns one full revolution forward, then backward.

This simple control logic helps verify motor operation and wiring integrity.


🎬 Timestamps from Full Video

For in-depth visual guidance, refer to the following points in the full video:

  • 00:00 – Start

  • 02:03 – Introduction to stepper motor

  • 07:40 – How motor is controlled

  • 13:08 – Wiring explained

  • 15:43 – Project 1 code

  • 20:12 – Project 1 demonstration


📁 Download Section

Links to the complete source code and wiring diagrams for this project are provided below this article.

Stay tuned for [Project 2: Controlling Stepper Motor via Serial Monitor] where we expand functionality through user interaction in the Arduino Serial Monitor.


581-Lesson 107-1: Controlling a 28BYJ-48 stepper motor with a ULN2003 for Arduino
Language: C++
//original source is http://www.geeetech.com/wiki/index.php/Stepper_Motor_5V_4-Phase_5-Wire_%26_ULN2003_Driver_Board_for_Arduino
// Update by Ahmad Shamshiri for RoboJax.com
// Published on March 27, 2017 in Ajax, ON, Canada.
/* Lesson 107-2: Reading voltage from potentiometer and saving it on microSD card
In this lesson we learn how to use mini stepper motor 28BYJ-48 for our project. I am presenting 8 projects
  so you can use it in almost any application. In the video, I have explained the code, shown the full wiring diagram and 
  how to connect the wires, push buttons and breadboard. 
 
 
  Project 1: Running motor (this code)
  Project 2: Controlling stepper motor from Serial Monitor
  Project 3:  Controlling stepper motor using push button STPB-1
  Project 4: Controlling using push button STPB-2  keep pressing
  Project 5: One Revolution using push button STPB-3
  Project 6: Push button Any Angle and speed STPB-4
  Project 7: using multiple buttons to any angles STPB-5 angle, speed and direction
  Project 8: Controlling stepper motor using potentiometer

  * Watch Video instruction for this code:https://youtu.be/TQ7R2bY-MWU
  * 
  * This code is part of Arduino Step by Step Course which starts here:  https://youtu.be/-6qSrDUA5a8
  * 
  * for library of this code visit http://robojax.com/
  * 
 If you found this tutorial helpful, please support me so I can continue creating 
 content like this. Make a donation using PayPal by credit card https://bit.ly/donate-robojax 
 

 
  *  * This code is "AS IS" without warranty or liability. Free to be used as long as you keep this note intact.* 
  * This code has been downloaded from Robojax.com
     This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
     it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
     the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
     (at your option) any later version.
 
     This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
     but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
     MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
     GNU General Public License for more details.
 
     You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
     along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

 */


int Pin1 = 10; 
int Pin2 = 11; 
int Pin3 = 12; 
int Pin4 = 13; 
int _step = 0; 
boolean dir = true;// false=clockwise, true=counter clockwise
int count=0;
void setup() 
{ 
 pinMode(Pin1, OUTPUT);  
 pinMode(Pin2, OUTPUT);  
 pinMode(Pin3, OUTPUT);  
 pinMode(Pin4, OUTPUT);  
} 
 void loop() 
{ 
 switch(_step){ 
   case 0: 
     digitalWrite(Pin1, LOW);  
     digitalWrite(Pin2, LOW); 
     digitalWrite(Pin3, LOW); 
     digitalWrite(Pin4, HIGH); 
   break;  
   case 1: 
     digitalWrite(Pin1, LOW);  
     digitalWrite(Pin2, LOW); 
     digitalWrite(Pin3, HIGH); 
     digitalWrite(Pin4, HIGH); 
   break;  
   case 2: 
     digitalWrite(Pin1, LOW);  
     digitalWrite(Pin2, LOW); 
     digitalWrite(Pin3, HIGH); 
     digitalWrite(Pin4, LOW); 
   break;  
   case 3: 
     digitalWrite(Pin1, LOW);  
     digitalWrite(Pin2, HIGH); 
     digitalWrite(Pin3, HIGH); 
     digitalWrite(Pin4, LOW); 
   break;  
   case 4: 
     digitalWrite(Pin1, LOW);  
     digitalWrite(Pin2, HIGH); 
     digitalWrite(Pin3, LOW); 
     digitalWrite(Pin4, LOW); 
   break;  
   case 5: 
     digitalWrite(Pin1, HIGH);  
     digitalWrite(Pin2, HIGH); 
     digitalWrite(Pin3, LOW); 
     digitalWrite(Pin4, LOW); 
   break;  
     case 6: 
     digitalWrite(Pin1, HIGH);  
     digitalWrite(Pin2, LOW); 
     digitalWrite(Pin3, LOW); 
     digitalWrite(Pin4, LOW); 
   break;  
   case 7: 
     digitalWrite(Pin1, HIGH);  
     digitalWrite(Pin2, LOW); 
     digitalWrite(Pin3, LOW); 
     digitalWrite(Pin4, HIGH); 
   break;  
   default: 
     digitalWrite(Pin1, LOW);  
     digitalWrite(Pin2, LOW); 
     digitalWrite(Pin3, LOW); 
     digitalWrite(Pin4, LOW); 
   break;  
 } 
 if(dir){ 
   _step++; 
 }else{ 
   _step--; 
 } 
 if(_step>7){ 
   _step=0; 
 } 
 if(_step<0){ 
   _step=7; 
 } 
 delay(1); 

}

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