Skip to content
Electrical & Wiring·Lesson 13 of 34

Motor Controller Lineup

Meet the common FRC motor controllers and the motors they drive.

Sign in to track progress, earn XP, and save lessons.

What a motor controller does

The roboRIO can only output tiny signal-level power. A motor controller sits between the roboRIO and a motor, taking a low-power command and switching the full battery current (up to ~40A per branch) to drive the motor forward or backward at any speed. Modern controllers also do closed-loop control, current limiting, and report sensor data.

The major controllers

Talon FX (CTR Electronics) - integrated directly into the Kraken X60, Kraken X44, and Falcon 500 brushless motors. Because the controller lives inside the motor, you run only power and CAN to one unit. It has a built-in encoder and the smart features of the Talon SRX and more. The newer Talon FXS drives both brushed and brushless motors.

SPARK MAX (REV Robotics) - a versatile controller for brushed and brushless motors, most commonly paired with the REV NEO and NEO 550. Controllable via PWM, CAN, or USB, with onboard closed-loop control using the NEO's integrated encoder. The SPARK Flex is its higher-power sibling, often paired with the NEO Vortex.

Talon SRX (CTR / VEX) - the original 'smart' brushed motor controller. CAN or PWM, with inputs for limit switches, encoders, and potentiometers. Common with CIM and 775pro motors.

Victor SPX (CTR / VEX) - a sealed, follower-friendly brushed controller. CAN or PWM, no sensor inputs of its own, often used as a 'follower' that mirrors a Talon.

Others - Venom (Playing With Fusion, integrated), Thrifty Nova (The Thrifty Bot), and Koors 40 (AndyMark) are also legal options.

Matching controller to motor

Motor limits you should know (from REV's official motor comparison):

  • Kraken X60: free speed ~6271 RPM, free current ~2.32A, stall current ~233A.
  • Falcon 500 (v2): free speed ~6489 RPM, free current ~2.39A, stall current ~191A.
  • NEO Vortex: free speed ~6784 RPM, free current ~3.62A, stall current ~211A.
  • NEO (V1.1): free speed ~5820 RPM, stall current ~160A.

Notice the stall currents far exceed a 40A breaker. That is why current limiting in software is essential - it keeps the motor, wiring, and breaker happy during a stall.

Sources

Key takeaways

  • Motor controllers switch full battery current to motors based on low-power roboRIO commands.
  • Talon FX is integrated into Kraken/Falcon motors; SPARK MAX/Flex pairs with REV NEO/Vortex.
  • Talon SRX and Victor SPX drive brushed motors like the CIM and 775pro; Talon FXS handles brushed or brushless.
  • Stall currents (Kraken ~233A, Falcon 500 ~191A, NEO Vortex ~211A) far exceed branch breakers, so software current limiting is essential.

Go deeper

Lesson quiz

Required

Answer all 3 questions correctly to complete this lesson.

1.What distinguishes the CTRE/WCP Falcon 500 and Kraken X60 from a motor like the REV NEO?

2.Which statement about the REV SPARK MAX is correct?

3.What is true about pairing brushless motors like the NEO or Falcon 500 with controllers?

Answer every question to submit.