BLDC Motor with Arduino troubleshooting

Using Arduino Project Guidance
1

Hi,
Recently, I've been making an rc plane with Arduino nano every. I first had a dc motor power my airplane but I switched to 1400kv brushless dc motor. My problem is that when I power the ESC and the Arduino from the same source (7,4V 1300mAh LiPo) the motor just doesn't configures itself and it keeps beeping. But when I firstly power the Arduino with a USB to the computer and after that I plug the battery to the ESC and the Arduino (without unplugging usb) the motor configures itself and in a second it is ready and it works. But then I unplug the usb and the motor is no longer controllable. It just runs by itself and not stopping (not to its max speed).
Does anyone know why this happens? Thanks a lot.

2

One idea would be adding a bulk capacitor near the ESC.
Can You post a foto showing the build?

3

Which Arduino? How is the lipo connected to the Arduino?

4

As I mentioned there I'm using the Arduino Nano Every.
The LiPo connects to the Arduino to the Vin and GND Pin
Also the lipo connects to the 30A ESC

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20230427_212755
20230427_2127551920×1440 212 KB

That's a photo of the build

6

Thanks. The ESC is physically fitted very close to the controller. That's not an advantage regarding electrical noise. If they could be arranged a bit apart I believe it's good. good enough? Testing is needed.
Adding a 10 - 100 uF cap on the controller power input and a bulk kap of some 1000 uF to the ESC is what I would try.

7

Post a hand drawn circuit of all your components and their connections.
Also post your code using the code tags as described at the beginning of the forums.

8

Thanks, I'll do some testing and se if it improves

9

Hi, I just did some tests and I found that for some reason the NRF24L01 when I unplug the usb just stops receiving. But it has a normal voltage of 3.3 V. Any idea why?
Thanks

10

I have another 2 questions too. Is it possible to power the Arduino from the 5V pin with BEC the ESC has (it provides 5V)? Will it make a difference?

11

Hi, @projektoras

Can we please have a circuit diagram?
An image of a hand drawn schematic will be fine, include ALL power supplies, component names and pin labels.

Thanks.. Tom.. :smiley: :+1: :coffee: :australia:

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Schematic_New Project2_2023-04-28
Schematic_New Project2_2023-04-281650×938 77.8 KB

Here's the schematic

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I posted the schematic

14

If the capacity of the BEC is high enough. Check the datasheet for the BEC. Some 250 mA is a minimum need plus any other 5 volt load at the Arduino.

15

Hi, @projektoras
Have you read the manual that came with the ESC.

As you have found, the ESC needs to, on power up, configure itself.
One of the provisions is that the throttle input must be at zero speed, I believe.

This is to prevent the ESC being connected to power and instantly becoming a de-finger device on RC aircraft.

When you power the two up together, the Arduino outputs are floating and the throttle input may be subjected to an invalid startup throttle position.
Does your ESC beep to tell you if its okay or has a fault?

Can you post a link to specs/data of your ESC?

Thanks.. Tom.. :smiley: :+1: :coffee: :australia:

16

The ESC didn't include a manual when it arrived, but the website I ordered it has some specifications: `Specification:
Weight: 25g
Dimensions: 45 x 24 x 11mm
Power input: 5.6V - 16.8V (2-3 cells Li-Poly, OR 5-12 cells Ni-MH Ni-MH / Ni-Cd battery)
BEC: 2A
Constant current: 30A (Max 40A less than 10 seconds)

Feature:
Safe power function:regardless of the throttle stick in any position the motor will not start immediately
Throttle Calibration function:Adapt to different remote throttle travel difference, improve throttle response linearity, with a smooth, delicate feel and excellent speed linear speed
Low Voltage Protection Mode ,Low-voltage protection threshold`

If you want to go check it yourselves just click here

(If the language of the website is different, just change it in the upper right corner)

17

Hi,

This might have something to do with your problem.

Try a 10K resistor between pin 10 and gnd, or the signal input of the ESC and gnd, both are the same mod, just different positions, depends on how easy to do.

Tom.. :smiley: :+1: :australia:

18

Thank you for trying to help TomGeorge, I really appreciate it but that's not the problem. I just found out that when powering the Arduino with battery, some of the communication pins on the receiver have no voltage!
I'll check again the connections I made on the pcb.

19

I also found the manual for my ESC.

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