I am trying to calibrate my ESC so I can use my motor for my project, but when I connect my calibration circuit there are no 'beep' sounds. The troubleshooting section of the ESC manual says there could be a problem with the connections(including power connections), and I should ensure the motor battery is okay and charged. I have posted pictures of my setup but I am not sure where the connection issue is, unless it concerns my soldering(I have uploaded a close-up also).
Do LiPo batteries come delivered fully charged, or do I need to charge them before using them properly?
Can someone advise what I should do here and what the potential problem is?
Components:
Arduino MKR WiFi 1010
Breadboard, Potentiometer, jumper wires
Overlander SBEC 60A XP2 ESC
FullyMax 100C 1300mAh 6s LiPo battery
650KV BLDC motor
Here is the code for my calibration:
#include <Servo.h>
//Motor thrust test and esc calibration code
//Components: Propeller, motor, ESC, breadboard, potentiometer, jumper wires, Arduino mkr wifi 1010, and tachometer(with reflective tape) and masking tape for scale
//Relevant code variables: motor esc pin as output, potentiometer pin as input
//const int motor = 3; //define esc pin
const int pot = A1; //define potentiometer pin
double thrust, potval; //defining variables
Servo ESC;
void setup() {
pinMode(pot, INPUT); //set potentiometer as input pin
ESC.attach(3, 1000, 2000); //esc pn initialisation with min and max PWM values
Serial.begin(9600); //initialise serial monitor
Serial.println("Pot value: ");
}
void loop() {
potval = analogRead(pot); //read potentiometer value and store as potval
thrust = map(potval, 0, 1023, 0, 180); //map potval from analog range to digital range within the servo librart
Serial.println(thrust); //print the value on to serial monitor for debugging
//delay(5000); //delay for easier read on potentiometer values
ESC.write(thrust); //write value to esc pin to thrust motor
}
The MKR1010 is a 3.3volt-logic board. Connecting the pot to 5volt, and exposing A1 to that voltage will damage the processor. Does "thrust" still print believable values?
Leo..
The manual states to turn the transmitter(I take it the Arduino is in this case) on and move the throttle(I took as the potentiometer) to the throttle position. - So I turned my Arduino on and kept the potentiometer in the max throttle position.
It then says to plug in the motor battery and after a couple of seconds it will emit a series of four audible 'beep beep' tones, and during this time I should pull it down to the low throttle position. and then after it will emit a series of beep beep tones, followed by a short delay and then some more to confirm calibration.
My problem is that there aren't audible 'beep beep' tones after I plug my motor battery in. I take it I'm supposed to plug my LiPo battery in and then move my potentiometer down to the low throttle position, as that's the order the manual describes, but nothing happens. I feel it's a hardware issue where either my soldering is a problem(I think a multimeter would clarify this, but I've uploaded a close-up and it doesn't seem problematic), or it's the LiPo battery. I've heard that you're meant to fully charge your LiPo battery before using it, especially when you first get it delivered; I'm new to this so I just found out you're meant to do this lol, but is it likely that there are no audible tones because my LiPo battery is partially charged when it should be fully?
I wasn't entirely aware of how volt-logic works, so thank you for clarifying; I did some further research. "Thrust" does print the correct values, but I will change it from 5v to 3.3V.
Charge the LiPo fully.
Set the throttle pot to minimum (0).
Connect the ESC to the battery.
Wait a few seconds.
Normally there is a default that will boot.
