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Freedom251 › Blog › Arduino UNO

Connect an Arduino UNO to a Computer CAN Monitor with the SH-C30L and MCP2515

By Freedom251 Team · · 4 min read

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To monitor and exchange CAN frames between an Arduino UNO and a computer, connect the UNO to an MCP2515 CAN module over SPI, then connect that module and the SH-C30L adapter to the same CAN bus. The SH-C30L plugs into the computer over USB; it does not connect to the UNO’s SPI pins. This setup uses classic CAN, not CAN FD.

What the setup does—and what it requires

The data path is: Arduino UNO ⇄ SPI ⇄ MCP2515 module ⇄ CAN_H/CAN_L bus ⇄ SH-C30L ⇄ USB ⇄ computer. The MCP2515 module provides the CAN interface the UNO example uses; the SH-C30L gives the computer a USB connection to that bus.

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DSD TECH specifies that the SH-C30L supports CAN 2.0A and 2.0B at rates up to 1 Mbps. Its release notes state that the SH-C30 family does not support CAN FD. Check the module and adapter documentation before wiring: the MCP2515 breakout needs a CAN transceiver, and its supply voltage, oscillator marking, and termination jumper can vary.

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Wire the UNO to the MCP2515 module

For the cited Arduino UNO example, use the following connections. Confirm the labels on your particular breakout; the sketch’s chip-select pin must match the wire.

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UNO MCP2515 module
5V VCC
GND GND
D10 CS
D12 MISO
D11 MOSI
D13 SCK

The example leaves INT unconnected. Connect it only if your selected module and sketch require an interrupt, and configure the sketch for the pin you use.

Connect both devices to the CAN bus

  1. Connect the MCP2515 module’s CAN_H to the SH-C30L’s CAN_H.
  2. Connect CAN_L to CAN_L. Do not cross the two signal wires.
  3. For this non-isolated bench setup, connect ground between the Arduino-side hardware and the adapter as shown in the practical guide.

The connection is bidirectional: frames sent by the UNO can reach the computer, and frames sent from the computer through the SH-C30L can reach the UNO. Both nodes must use the same CAN bitrate.

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Match the bitrate, oscillator, and library

The Arduino Project Hub example uses a 500 kbps CAN bitrate and an 8 MHz MCP2515 clock. Those are settings for that contributor’s setup, not universal requirements. The module’s crystal frequency must match the clock configured in the library; inspect the actual board rather than assuming it is 8 MHz.

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The example uses the mcp_can library and declares MCP_CAN CAN0(10), which selects D10 for chip select. The separate autowp MCP2515 library documents its own API and a 16 MHz default clock. Do not combine code or defaults from different libraries without adapting them to the library and hardware you have. The SH-C30L’s specified upper limit is 1 Mbps; select a bitrate supported by both nodes.

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Set termination for the bus topology

For a two-node bench bus with the adapter and MCP2515 module at opposite physical ends, enable 120 Ω termination at each end if the switch or jumper is present. With power removed, measuring across CAN_H and CAN_L should give about 60 Ω when both 120 Ω terminators are connected in parallel.

On a larger network, terminate only the two physical ends of the bus—not every node. The SH-C30L has switchable termination; check whether your MCP2515 module’s termination jumper is enabled before adding another resistor.

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Set up the computer and verify its firmware

DSD TECH lists Candlelight firmware and SocketCAN support for the SH-C30L, as well as Cangaroo, BUSMASTER, and a cross-platform Python library as host-software options. The vendor’s release notes say the v2.1 SH-C30 family build uses the raw USB candleLight interface, with gs_usb on Linux and WinUSB on Windows. The USB-reported device name can help identify the firmware generation.

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Older units may use earlier firmware, so host recognition and setup steps can differ. Match the software and driver instructions to the firmware and operating system reported for your unit rather than assuming one procedure applies to every version or platform. The release notes do not require reflashing for ordinary use.

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The listed SH-C30L package contains one adapter, a 3-pin terminal block, and a manual. Check the included parts before sourcing connectors.

Troubleshoot in this order

  1. USB not recognized: Check whether the computer detects the adapter and identify its USB-reported name or firmware. Investigate USB recognition separately from CAN wiring.
  2. No CAN communication: Confirm CAN_H connects to CAN_H and CAN_L to CAN_L, and check the shared ground used in this bench example.
  3. Frames fail or errors appear: Verify that both nodes use the same bitrate and that the library clock matches the MCP2515 module’s actual oscillator.
  4. UNO cannot communicate with the module: Check the SPI wiring and confirm the physical CS connection matches the pin declared in the sketch.
  5. Bus wiring seems correct but communication remains unreliable: Check termination against the topology. For the two-ended bench setup, measure about 60 Ω across CAN_H and CAN_L with power removed.
  6. Host software cannot open the adapter: Check firmware and host compatibility before changing firmware. Treat USB recognition, CAN physical-layer wiring, and sketch or library configuration as separate fault areas.

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Arduino UNOCAN busElectronicsMCP2515SH-C30L

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