SENSORS/ACTUATORS

INTERNET OF THING (IoT)

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Arduino UNO R4 - Control Pump

In this guide, we will learn how to connect an 12V pump to Arduino UNO R4 and how to program an Arduino UNO R4 to control the pump. This tutorial will help you build systems like irrigation for plants, aquariums, or water refilling stations.

You can put a relay or a MOSFET module between the Arduino UNO R4 and the pump. A relay only starts and stops the pump. A MOSFET module does the same, and it can also set the pump speed, so you get a strong flow or a gentle one. Both ways are covered below.

Hardware Preparation

1	×	Arduino UNO R4 WiFi or Arduino UNO R4 Minima
1	×	Alternatively, DIYables STEM V4 IoT, Compatible with Arduino Uno R4 WiFi
1	×	Alternatively, DIYables STEM V4B IoT, Compatible with Arduino Uno R4 WiFi
1	×	USB Cable Type-A to Type-C (for USB-A PC)
1	×	USB Cable Type-C to Type-C (for USB-C PC)
1	×	Relay
1	×	Alternatively, MOSFET Module (AOD4184, LR7843 or FR120N)
1	×	12V Pump
1	×	Vinyl Tube
1	×	12V Power Adapter
1	×	DC Power Jack
1	×	Jumper Wires
1	×	Recommended: Screw Terminal Block Shield for Arduino UNO R4
1	×	Recommended: Sensors/Servo Expansion Shield for Arduino UNO R4
1	×	Recommended: Breadboard Shield for Arduino UNO R4
1	×	Recommended: Enclosure for Arduino UNO R4
1	×	Recommended: Power Splitter for Arduino UNO R4
1	×	Recommended: Prototyping Base Plate & Breadboard Kit for Arduino UNO

Or you can buy the following kits:

1	×	DIYables STEM V4 IoT Starter Kit (Arduino included)
1	×	DIYables STEM V4B IoT Starter Kit (Arduino included)
1	×	DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays)

Disclosure: Some of the links provided in this section are Amazon affiliate links. We may receive a commission for any purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
Additionally, some of these links are for products from our own brand, DIYables .

Overview of 12V Pump

Pinout

image source: diyables.io

A 12V pump typically has two pins.

Connect the negative (-) pin (black) to the GND of the DC power supply.
Connect the positive (+) pin (red) to the 12V of the DC power supply.

How to Control Pump

If you use a 12V power supply for a 12V pump, it will works. To control the pump using Arduino UNO R4, a relay should be placed between the Arduino UNO R4 and the pump. The Arduino UNO R4 can control the pump through the relay. If you're unfamiliar with relays (their pinout, operation, programming, etc.), you should study them in the Arduino UNO R4 - Relay tutorial.

New to the MOSFET module? The Arduino UNO R4 - MOSFET Module tutorial explains what it is and how it works.

Relay vs MOSFET Module for a 12V Pump

	Relay	MOSFET Module
Pump control	start and stop only	start, stop, and change the flow (PWM)
Switching sound	clicks	none
Switching time	slow (milliseconds)	very fast
Wear	the contacts get old with use	no moving parts to wear
Works with	AC and DC pumps	DC pumps only
Pump supply voltage	what the relay is rated for	6V or higher
Isolation	yes	yes, with a PC817 optocoupler
Choose it for	AC pumps or plain ON/OFF	DC pumps where you want to set the flow

If you only need to fill a tank, the relay is enough. If you want to water plants slowly or fill a glass without splashing, the MOSFET module gives you better control. AC pumps need the relay.

Wiring Diagram

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

Arduino UNO R4 Code

The code below repeatedly switches the pump ON for five seconds and then OFF for five regimes.

Detailed Instructions

Follow these instructions step by step:

If this is your first time using the Arduino Uno R4 WiFi/Minima, refer to the tutorial on setting up the environment for Arduino Uno R4 WiFi/Minima in the Arduino IDE.
Connect the pump to Arduino UNO R4 via a relay according to the provided diagram.
Connect the Arduino Uno R4 board to your computer using a USB cable.
Launch the Arduino IDE on your computer.
Select the appropriate Arduino Uno R4 board (e.g., Arduino Uno R4 WiFi) and COM port.
Copy and paste the provided code into the Arduino IDE.
Press the Upload button in the Arduino IDE to send the code to the Arduino UNO R4.
Check the state of the pump.

Code Explanation

The explanation is in the comments of the Arduino code above.

How to Control Pump Flow with MOSFET Module

This time the pump is driven by a MOSFET module. Besides ON and OFF, the Arduino UNO R4 can now make the pump push more water or less water.

Wiring Diagram

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

See The best way to supply power to the Arduino Uno R4 and other components.

Arduino UNO R4 / Power	MOSFET Module
Pin 9	PWM
GND	GND
12V adapter + and pump + (red)	+ (both wires share it)
Pump − (black)	LOAD
12V adapter −	−

The pump has a motor inside. Add a 1N4007 or 1N5819 diode across the pump to protect the module: stripe (cathode) on the pump + wire, the other end on the pump − wire.

Arduino UNO R4 Code

/* * This Arduino UNO R4 code was developed by newbiely.com * * This Arduino UNO R4 code is made available for public use without any restriction * * For comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams, please visit: * https://newbiely.com/tutorials/arduino-uno-r4/arduino-uno-r4-controls-pump */ const int MOSFET_PIN = 9; // Arduino UNO R4 pin connected to the PWM pin of the MOSFET module void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); pinMode(MOSFET_PIN, OUTPUT); analogWrite(MOSFET_PIN, 0); // start with the load OFF } void setLoad(int percent) { int duty = map(percent, 0, 100, 0, 255); // convert 0-100% to 0-255 analogWrite(MOSFET_PIN, duty); Serial.print("Load power: "); Serial.print(percent); Serial.println("%"); } void loop() { // turn the load fully ON, then fully OFF Serial.println("Load: ON"); setLoad(100); delay(2000); Serial.println("Load: OFF"); setLoad(0); delay(2000); // increase the power step by step (PWM) for (int percent = 10; percent <= 100; percent += 10) { setLoad(percent); delay(500); } // decrease the power step by step (PWM) for (int percent = 90; percent >= 0; percent -= 10) { setLoad(percent); delay(500); } delay(1000); }

The pump runs at full flow for 2 seconds and stops for 2 seconds. Then the flow grows from 10% to 100%, one step every half second, and goes back down to 0%.

Detailed Instructions

Prepare the Arduino IDE in the same way as the relay Quick Steps above.
Connect the pump, the MOSFET module and the Arduino UNO R4 as in the diagram. Put the pump in water before you power it.
Upload the code to the Arduino UNO R4, then plug in the 12V adapter.
Open the Serial Monitor (9600 baud).
Look at the water coming out of the tube. It gets stronger, then weaker. At a very low power, the pump may not move water at all.

Newbiely | Arduino IDE 2.3.8

──

☐

Newbiely.ino

···

8 Serial.println("Hello World!");

Output

Serial Monitor

Message (Enter to send message to 'Arduino Uno R4 WiFi' on 'COM15')

New Line

9600 baud

Load: ON Load power: 100% Load: OFF Load power: 0% Load power: 10% Load power: 20% Load power: 30% Load power: 40% Load power: 50% Load power: 60% Load power: 70% Load power: 80% Load power: 90% Load power: 100% Load power: 90% Load power: 80% Load power: 70% Load power: 60% Load power: 50% Load power: 40% Load power: 30% Load power: 20% Load power: 10% Load power: 0%

Ln 11, Col 1

Arduino Uno R4 WiFi on COM15

Remember: the MOSFET module only switches DC, and the pump supply must be at least about 6V. Keep the relay for AC pumps.

Video Tutorial

Challenge Yourself

Create an automated watering system with Arduino UNO R4, a soil moisture sensor, and a pump.
Build an automatic refill system for water using Arduino UNO R4, a water level sensor, and a pump.

Learn More

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