ESC only working with throttle trim fully down

[aquila]

Hi,

Tried to fly my Aether yesterday but no motor, no beep from ESC. Removed motor today and still not working so I disconnected at and for some unknown reason I decided to set motor trim as low as it will go and now it seems to work. The ESC is a hobbyking 100a SBEC but I do not know the motor, the transmitter is a DX6i but I have never had to do this before, does anyone have any ideas or come across this before?

[Chris Walby]

Hi,

Yes quite usual when not using all Spectrum/Horizon kit.

If using throttle hold/cut just watch out it does not accept that as off point. so when powering up do it with hold off or it will spin slowly when you take the hold off.

[The Wright Stuff]

Hi Peter,

it sounds as if the throttle calibration (stored in the ESC) has drifted a little. The ESC isn't arming because the throttle won't go low enough to register as closed: a safety feature of the ESC.

I've seen this, and I'm not absolutely sure why it happens: high temperatures, perhaps?

The solution is to reteach the ESC the throttle range. I'm not familiar with your particular ESC but it should have programming instructions. It usually involves starting the ESC with the throttle stick at the top to enter programming mode...

[Denis Watkins]

For safety, ESCs will not arm the motor at switch on if there is any positive input

For example, the throttle stick could be up when you connect the pack

In this case, the prop will not spin but the motor will beep

[gangster]

Peter sounds like there is not much wrong there if it works ok with trim right back

[Nigel R]

" I have never had to do this before, does anyone have any ideas or come across this before?"

Check the ESC manual, you will likely have an option to program the throttle range.

If you've triggered that option accidentally then the ESC may now have got the wrong end of the stick, so to speak.

[Simon Chaddock]

In my experience (with a DX6i) it is common and with many ESC essential that the throttle trim is set to minimum.

I actually set up the ESC throttle range like this so it becomes part of the before connecting the battery check - "throttle fully closed" or it will just beep and not arm.

To my way of thinking setting "throttle cut" is irrelevant with electric - just fully close the throttle.

[Peter Jenkins]

Simon, the reason for using throttle cut on an electric motor is to prevent the motor activating if the throttle is accidentally opened when the ESC is armed. This could be a neck strap being dropped onto the Tx for example. Better safe than sorry I say!