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Arduino Project 9 uses a pushbutton to switch a motor on and off: the button connects to digital pin 2, while pin 9 controls an IRF520 MOSFET that switches a separate 9V motor circuit. Build the circuit with the diode in place, connect the Arduino and battery grounds, then mount a paper pattern on a CD and hub to make the pinwheel.
Parts and tools for the motorized pinwheel
The Arduino Projects Book lists these electrical parts for Project 9:
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- High-Performance Motor: The TT DC gearbox motor features a 1:48 gear ratio, perfect for Arduino smart car and robotics projects, delivering reliable power output for various applications.
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- Easy Connection Design: Each motor comes with two 200mm long 28AWG wires featuring breadboard-friendly 2.54mm connectors, allowing for quick and hassle-free connections to breadboards or terminal blocks.
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- Arduino board, breadboard and jumper wires
- 10-kilohm resistor and momentary pushbutton
- Motor and 9V battery, with a battery snap
- IRF520 MOSFET and 1N4007 diode
- CD, hub and die-cut paper pattern for the spinner
The official project instructions show the parts and circuit in the Arduino Projects Book. The maintained Arduino example also identifies the switch on pin 2 and motor control on pin 9: Project 9 example.
How to wire Project 9
The pushbutton is an input to the Arduino; the motor draws power from the separate 9V battery circuit. The MOSFET acts as the switch between that power source and the motor. Connect the Arduino ground to the battery circuit ground so the control signal has a shared reference.
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- TT Motor: Rated Voltage: 3-6V;Gear Ratio: 1:48;Wires Length: 200mm 28 AWG;Stall Torque (6V): 0.8kg.cm
- Easy to Install: TT DC Gearbox Motor Comes With 2x 200mm Wires (Connector:Male 2.54mm), Easy to Plug into a Breadboard or Terminal Blocks
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- Place the pushbutton on the breadboard and connect its output to Arduino digital pin 2.
- Connect a 10-kilohm pull-down resistor between the switch input and ground. This holds pin 2 LOW when the button is released.
- Connect Arduino pin 9 to the IRF520 gate. Check the pinout for the specific MOSFET you have; do not assume its legs match a different transistor’s layout.
- Wire the motor into the 9V battery circuit through the MOSFET, following the Project 9 circuit diagram.
- Connect the Arduino ground and the battery circuit ground together.
- Wire the 1N4007 diode in parallel with the motor: its anode goes toward motor ground and its cathode toward motor power.
Use the manual’s circuit diagram to verify the transistor connections and battery path before applying power; a reversed or misidentified MOSFET connection can prevent the motor from working.
What the sketch does
The Project 9 sketch sets pin 2 as an input and pin 9 as an output. In each loop, it reads the button: a HIGH reading writes HIGH to pin 9, activating the transistor and completing the motor circuit; a LOW reading writes LOW, so the motor is not driven. The maintained example uses switchPin = 2 and motorPin = 9.
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- Type 130 Mini DC Motors for 1.5V to 6V, 3V is recommended
- Come with 6 inch (15cm) black and red wire leads for easy connection
- Motor size: 15 x 20 mm, Shaft diameter: 2.0 mm, Shaft length : 9 mm
- Reference current: 0.35-0.4A, Speed : 16000 RPM (at 3V)
- Perfect for robotics projects, solar/battery-powered cars, brush-bots, fans/windmills, and more.
Why the diode is essential
A motor keeps turning briefly after power is removed. As it slows, it can generate voltage in the opposite direction—called back-voltage in the project manual—which may damage the transistor. The diode across the motor gives that voltage a safe path. Install it with the specified orientation before testing, rather than treating it as an optional extra.
Assemble and run the pinwheel
- Attach the die-cut paper pattern to a CD.
- Snap the CD onto the hub and secure it with a drop of glue.
- Power the Arduino over USB and connect the 9V battery snap to the motor circuit.
- Press the breadboard button to spin the motor and observe the pattern.
Secure the CD and hub before switching on. The manual warns that a loose rotating spinner can fly off and cause injury; keep faces and eyes clear of its path. You can try different paper patterns to change the visual effect.
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- Product Description: Our product includes all the accessories on the main picture (about 465pcs), you can refer to our colorful instructions to assemble, at least 16 projects can be assembled, you can also free to create, and share good ideas to other children!
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- Pay attention:Suggest to read the instruction manual in detail for assembly，Please control the usage time, use time should not exceed 5 minutes each time, to avoid short circuits. When your project is completed or unattended, it is recommended that you turn off the switch, remove the battery, and store it properly.Tools for super glue or hot melt adhesive for bonding are not included in the kits. Be careful of scald caused by short circuits. The kids must use it under the supervision of adults
Troubleshoot a motor that keeps spinning or will not start
If the motor runs continuously
- Check that the button’s output wire actually reaches pin 2.
- Confirm that the 10-kilohm resistor pulls the input to ground when the button is released. Without a reliable LOW state, the input may not behave as intended.
- Verify the IRF520 pinout and connections against the circuit diagram.
- Make sure the battery circuit ground and Arduino ground are connected.
If the motor does not spin
- Check the 9V battery path and battery snap connections.
- Confirm that pin 9 reaches the MOSFET gate.
- Inspect the motor wiring for continuity and confirm the motor is connected into the intended power path.
- Check that the diode is in parallel with the motor and oriented with its anode toward motor ground and cathode toward motor power.
These checks follow the documented Project 9 circuit; they are wiring diagnostics, not results from a separate hands-on test.
Quick Recap
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- 30+ Guided Electronics Projects: Start with LEDs and build toward LCD1602 displays, RFID access, motion detection, distance sensing, motor control and environmental monitoring for STEM learning, coding clubs, classrooms and hobby projects
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