Can you get past the 8V limit to the DC motors on the robotics cape?

[Natalie Ferrante]

Hi,

I am trying to use the robotics cape with the Beaglebone black, and I want to run 4 DC motors with encoders. I am not using a LiPo battery to power the system, I am just powering it from the barrel connector with 12V. 

The problem I am having is that I want to be able to run the motors at 12V, but the voltage that the motor drivers are seeing is being limited to 8V, regardless of if I am powering it from the barrel jack or from the battery terminals. I know that the motor driver chip is capable of driving 12V, but the board never sends more than 8V to it. My question is, is there a way for me to modify the board so that I can get past that 8V limit? 

Thanks!