Use the screw terminals:
In general, the shield uses the following Arduino pins internally (you don't need to wire these manually!):
Do not ignore the . The HW-130 includes 1N4007 diodes on board, but those are too slow for PWM. Better upgrade: solder 1N5819 Schottky diodes across OUT1-2 and OUT3-4 (cathode to positive supply, anode to output). hw 130 motor control shield for arduino datasheet better
| Function | Arduino Pin | HW-130 Label | Datasheet Mistake | |----------|-------------|--------------|--------------------| | Motor A Enable (PWM) | D10 | ENA | Often mislabeled as "PWM A" | | Motor A Input 1 | D9 | IN1 | Correct | | Motor A Input 2 | D8 | IN2 | Correct | | Motor B Enable (PWM) | D5 | ENB | Often mislabeled as "PWM B" | | Motor B Input 3 | D7 | IN3 | Correct | | Motor B Input 4 | D6 | IN4 | Correct | | Logic Supply (5V) | 5V pin | +5V | Some clones skip this | | GND | GND | GND | Correct |
The key to success with the HW-130 is . The motors must be powered separately from the Arduino's logic. Use the screw terminals: In general, the shield
Once upon a workbench, an engineer needed to drive two DC motors and one servo from a single Arduino Uno. The was born—not as a flashy, overpriced module, but as a clone of the famous L298N-based “L293D Motor Shield” (often called the “Adafruit V1” style). Its mission: stack directly onto an Arduino Uno, Leonardo, or Mega (with care), and provide a simple, solder-free interface to motors up to 12V.
or if you want to keep motor power separate from logic power. Keep it on if you are feeding power from the Arduino VIN. B. Installing the Software Library | Function | Arduino Pin | HW-130 Label
The L298N is another popular motor driver capable of handling up to 2A per channel, making it better suited for larger or higher-torque motors, but it typically doesn't come in a convenient shield form-factor.
For a more professional, efficient, and powerful solution, "better" truly means moving beyond the L293D chip. Modern shields are based on MOSFET technology, which offers higher efficiency, less heat, and more robust protection features. Here are the top-tier alternatives you should consider.
However, the HW-130 is not without its merits. For those embarking on their first robotics journey, its forgiving nature, low cost, massive community support, and simple library make it the ideal educational tool. It is a shield that prioritizes learning and accessibility over raw power. In that context, the HW-130's datasheet is the "better" choice for its specific purpose of providing a safe, affordable, and widely documented entry point into the world of motor control.