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  3. KDE 4012XF motors with 16 in props

KDE 4012XF motors with 16 in props

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved ESCs
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  • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

    @Chase-Riley , absolutely no problem regarding sharing the motor / propeller specs.

    Alright, i have just posted initial instructions for low-kv motor tuning here : https://gitlab.com/voxl-public/voxl-sdk/utilities/voxl-esc/-/blob/dev/voxl-esc-tools/doc/low_kv_motor_tuning.md . There is also a firmware update version 39 RC11 that you will need to install (this is part of the tuning instructions).

    Please go ahead and work through the procedure. It is quite detailed and goes beyond what is needed just for low-kv motors, but it represents pretty rigorous initial test that should be performed to ensure your motor will operate smoothly under various conditions.

    The parameter file ../voxl-esc-params/low_kv/mn4006_m0134_6_low_kv.xml should be a good start for your application, but do follow the instructions to check / update the params as instructed.

    Please let me know if you run into any issue or need clarification.

    The main idea behind testing new motor/prop combination is to start with "easy" tests and gradually ramp up the scope of test as you look at the data and become confident that it is working well. I would definitely avoid doing things like plugging in a new motor and prop and just going to 100% power command without a ramp :).

    I will be improving / updating the instructions in the coming days and will keep you posted about any major updates.

    Alex KushleyevA Offline
    Alex KushleyevA Offline
    Alex Kushleyev
    ModalAI Team
    wrote on last edited by
    #12

    @Chase-Riley , i forgot to mention.. a small fan blowing air over the ESC may not result in much cooling. Airflow from propellers could provide a lot more cooling than a small fan. Please keep an eye on the temperatures of the ESC. After you perform the tuning and calibration, you can run all 4 motors (loaded with propellers) on the bench at hover rpm (rpm needed for your vehicle to hover) for several minutes and look at the ESC temp (it will be printed live in the terminal when you use voxl-esc-spin.py test script.

    • Ideally the ESC temperature should stay below 60-70 C
    • 80C is acceptable
    • 90C is worrisome
    • 100C and above is critical

    ESC should still operate above 125C. The temperature on M0134-6 is measured inside the MCU, so the Mosfets are likely to be even hotter. At that point you will probably run into thermal runaway (the hotter the ESC gets, the faster it will continue to heat up) and eventually mosfets and / or copper traces may burn up.

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

      @Chase-Riley , absolutely no problem regarding sharing the motor / propeller specs.

      Alright, i have just posted initial instructions for low-kv motor tuning here : https://gitlab.com/voxl-public/voxl-sdk/utilities/voxl-esc/-/blob/dev/voxl-esc-tools/doc/low_kv_motor_tuning.md . There is also a firmware update version 39 RC11 that you will need to install (this is part of the tuning instructions).

      Please go ahead and work through the procedure. It is quite detailed and goes beyond what is needed just for low-kv motors, but it represents pretty rigorous initial test that should be performed to ensure your motor will operate smoothly under various conditions.

      The parameter file ../voxl-esc-params/low_kv/mn4006_m0134_6_low_kv.xml should be a good start for your application, but do follow the instructions to check / update the params as instructed.

      Please let me know if you run into any issue or need clarification.

      The main idea behind testing new motor/prop combination is to start with "easy" tests and gradually ramp up the scope of test as you look at the data and become confident that it is working well. I would definitely avoid doing things like plugging in a new motor and prop and just going to 100% power command without a ramp :).

      I will be improving / updating the instructions in the coming days and will keep you posted about any major updates.

      Chase RileyC Offline
      Chase RileyC Offline
      Chase Riley
      Regular
      wrote on last edited by
      #13

      @Alex-Kushleyev I was able to install the new firmware to the ESC, however when I am trying to upload the new params file ../voxl-esc-params/low_kv/mn4006_m0134_6_low_kv.xml I receive the following error.

      [GCC 8.4.0]
      Found voxl-esc tools bin version: 1.2
      
      INFO: Params file name : /usr/share/modalai/voxl-esc-params/low_kv/mn4006_m0134_6_low_kv.xml 
      INFO: Params file size : 8365 bytes
      
      
      VOXL Platform: M0054
      Detected VOXL2 M0054 or M0104!
      Found previous connection information in .voxl_esc_cache ..
      Prioritizing /dev/slpi-uart-2 @ 250000
      INFO: Scanning for ESC firmware: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 250000
      Sending library name request: libslpi_uart_bridge_slpi.so
      Received standard error event 2
      Sending initialization request
      INFO: ESC(s) detected on port: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud rate: 250000
      INFO: ESCs detected:
      INFO: ---------------------
      ID: 0, SW: 39, HW: 41: Unknown Board
      ID: 1, SW: 39, HW: 41: Unknown Board
      ID: 2, SW: 39, HW: 41: Unknown Board
      ID: 3, SW: 39, HW: 41: Unknown Board
      ---------------------
      ERROR: ESC firmware version 39 is incompatible with params supported by this utility
             Acceptable ESC firmware versions are:  [38]```
      Alex KushleyevA 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • Chase RileyC Chase Riley

        @Alex-Kushleyev I was able to install the new firmware to the ESC, however when I am trying to upload the new params file ../voxl-esc-params/low_kv/mn4006_m0134_6_low_kv.xml I receive the following error.

        [GCC 8.4.0]
        Found voxl-esc tools bin version: 1.2
        
        INFO: Params file name : /usr/share/modalai/voxl-esc-params/low_kv/mn4006_m0134_6_low_kv.xml 
        INFO: Params file size : 8365 bytes
        
        
        VOXL Platform: M0054
        Detected VOXL2 M0054 or M0104!
        Found previous connection information in .voxl_esc_cache ..
        Prioritizing /dev/slpi-uart-2 @ 250000
        INFO: Scanning for ESC firmware: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 250000
        Sending library name request: libslpi_uart_bridge_slpi.so
        Received standard error event 2
        Sending initialization request
        INFO: ESC(s) detected on port: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud rate: 250000
        INFO: ESCs detected:
        INFO: ---------------------
        ID: 0, SW: 39, HW: 41: Unknown Board
        ID: 1, SW: 39, HW: 41: Unknown Board
        ID: 2, SW: 39, HW: 41: Unknown Board
        ID: 3, SW: 39, HW: 41: Unknown Board
        ---------------------
        ERROR: ESC firmware version 39 is incompatible with params supported by this utility
               Acceptable ESC firmware versions are:  [38]```
        Alex KushleyevA Offline
        Alex KushleyevA Offline
        Alex Kushleyev
        ModalAI Team
        wrote on last edited by
        #14

        @Chase-Riley please use the latest voxl-esc tools from dev branch:

        git clone https://gitlab.com/voxl-public/voxl-sdk/utilities/voxl-esc.git -b dev
        

        you can clone that directly to voxl2 and just use the python scripts directly (instead of voxl-esc wrapper), since you working on a custom esc tuning.

        Some helpful tips here too : https://gitlab.com/voxl-public/voxl-sdk/utilities/voxl-esc/-/blob/dev/voxl-esc-tools/recovery.md

        Chase RileyC 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

          @Chase-Riley please use the latest voxl-esc tools from dev branch:

          git clone https://gitlab.com/voxl-public/voxl-sdk/utilities/voxl-esc.git -b dev
          

          you can clone that directly to voxl2 and just use the python scripts directly (instead of voxl-esc wrapper), since you working on a custom esc tuning.

          Some helpful tips here too : https://gitlab.com/voxl-public/voxl-sdk/utilities/voxl-esc/-/blob/dev/voxl-esc-tools/recovery.md

          Chase RileyC Offline
          Chase RileyC Offline
          Chase Riley
          Regular
          wrote on last edited by
          #15

          @Alex-Kushleyev I made sure to have the latest version and know I can not detect the esc. See below.

          Detected Python version : 3.6.9 (default, Mar 10 2023, 16:46:00) 
          [GCC 8.4.0]
          Found voxl-esc tools bin version: 1.5
          VOXL Platform: M0054
          Detected RB5 Flight, VOXL2 M0054 or M0104!
          INFO: Scanning for ESC firmware: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 2000000
          /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
          INFO: Scanning for ESC bootloader: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 230400
          /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
          WARNING: No ESC(s) detected
          VOXL Platform: M0054
          Detected RB5 Flight, VOXL2 M0054 or M0104!
          INFO: Scanning for ESC firmware: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 250000
          /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
          INFO: Scanning for ESC bootloader: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 230400
          /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
          WARNING: No ESC(s) detected
          VOXL Platform: M0054
          Detected RB5 Flight, VOXL2 M0054 or M0104!
          INFO: Scanning for ESC firmware: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 921600
          /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
          INFO: Scanning for ESC bootloader: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 230400
          /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
          WARNING: No ESC(s) detected
          VOXL Platform: M0054
          Detected RB5 Flight, VOXL2 M0054 or M0104!
          INFO: Scanning for ESC firmware: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 230400
          /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
          INFO: Scanning for ESC bootloader: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 230400
          /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
          WARNING: No ESC(s) detected
          VOXL Platform: M0054
          Detected RB5 Flight, VOXL2 M0054 or M0104!
          INFO: Scanning for ESC firmware: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 57600
          /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
          INFO: Scanning for ESC bootloader: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 230400
          /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
          WARNING: No ESC(s) detected
          VOXL Platform: M0054
          Detected RB5 Flight, VOXL2 M0054 or M0104!
          INFO: Scanning for ESC firmware: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 115200
          /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
          INFO: Scanning for ESC bootloader: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 230400
          /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
          WARNING: No ESC(s) detected
          
          ERROR: not all ESCs found
          
          Alex KushleyevA 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • Chase RileyC Chase Riley

            @Alex-Kushleyev I made sure to have the latest version and know I can not detect the esc. See below.

            Detected Python version : 3.6.9 (default, Mar 10 2023, 16:46:00) 
            [GCC 8.4.0]
            Found voxl-esc tools bin version: 1.5
            VOXL Platform: M0054
            Detected RB5 Flight, VOXL2 M0054 or M0104!
            INFO: Scanning for ESC firmware: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 2000000
            /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
            INFO: Scanning for ESC bootloader: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 230400
            /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
            WARNING: No ESC(s) detected
            VOXL Platform: M0054
            Detected RB5 Flight, VOXL2 M0054 or M0104!
            INFO: Scanning for ESC firmware: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 250000
            /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
            INFO: Scanning for ESC bootloader: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 230400
            /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
            WARNING: No ESC(s) detected
            VOXL Platform: M0054
            Detected RB5 Flight, VOXL2 M0054 or M0104!
            INFO: Scanning for ESC firmware: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 921600
            /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
            INFO: Scanning for ESC bootloader: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 230400
            /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
            WARNING: No ESC(s) detected
            VOXL Platform: M0054
            Detected RB5 Flight, VOXL2 M0054 or M0104!
            INFO: Scanning for ESC firmware: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 230400
            /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
            INFO: Scanning for ESC bootloader: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 230400
            /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
            WARNING: No ESC(s) detected
            VOXL Platform: M0054
            Detected RB5 Flight, VOXL2 M0054 or M0104!
            INFO: Scanning for ESC firmware: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 57600
            /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
            INFO: Scanning for ESC bootloader: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 230400
            /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
            WARNING: No ESC(s) detected
            VOXL Platform: M0054
            Detected RB5 Flight, VOXL2 M0054 or M0104!
            INFO: Scanning for ESC firmware: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 115200
            /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
            INFO: Scanning for ESC bootloader: /dev/slpi-uart-2, baud: 230400
            /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi
            WARNING: No ESC(s) detected
            
            ERROR: not all ESCs found
            
            Alex KushleyevA Offline
            Alex KushleyevA Offline
            Alex Kushleyev
            ModalAI Team
            wrote on last edited by
            #16

            @Chase-Riley said in KDE 4012XF motors with 16 in props:

            /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi

            this error means that you are using relatively old VOXL2 SDK -- the interface for the UART bridge (which connects the DSP uart to CPU) has changed.

            Are you able to updated the VOXL2 SDK to 1.1.2? and then repeat the procedure using dev branch of voxl-esc ?

            Chase RileyC 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

              @Chase-Riley said in KDE 4012XF motors with 16 in props:

              /usr/lib/libvoxl_io.so: undefined symbol: voxl_uart_init_legacy_slpi

              this error means that you are using relatively old VOXL2 SDK -- the interface for the UART bridge (which connects the DSP uart to CPU) has changed.

              Are you able to updated the VOXL2 SDK to 1.1.2? and then repeat the procedure using dev branch of voxl-esc ?

              Chase RileyC Offline
              Chase RileyC Offline
              Chase Riley
              Regular
              wrote on last edited by
              #17

              @Alex-Kushleyev Would rather not update if possible. I have spent months getting everything to work in 1.0. What would be affected if I did make the upgrade? Would I lose any config or param files?

              Alex KushleyevA 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • Chase RileyC Chase Riley

                @Alex-Kushleyev Would rather not update if possible. I have spent months getting everything to work in 1.0. What would be affected if I did make the upgrade? Would I lose any config or param files?

                Alex KushleyevA Offline
                Alex KushleyevA Offline
                Alex Kushleyev
                ModalAI Team
                wrote on last edited by
                #18

                @Chase-Riley OK

                In this case, please try voxl-esc from this commit : https://gitlab.com/voxl-public/voxl-sdk/utilities/voxl-esc/-/tree/066b6308611ac162342a716689d1b4ebe82b1a63

                This is right before the DSP bridge interface changed and it should support firmware 39 in param update:
                https://gitlab.com/voxl-public/voxl-sdk/utilities/voxl-esc/-/blob/066b6308611ac162342a716689d1b4ebe82b1a63/voxl-esc-tools/voxl-esc-upload-params.py#L58

                However, still use the firmware and params that i originally posted for the low kv motor tuning

                Alex KushleyevA 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                  @Chase-Riley OK

                  In this case, please try voxl-esc from this commit : https://gitlab.com/voxl-public/voxl-sdk/utilities/voxl-esc/-/tree/066b6308611ac162342a716689d1b4ebe82b1a63

                  This is right before the DSP bridge interface changed and it should support firmware 39 in param update:
                  https://gitlab.com/voxl-public/voxl-sdk/utilities/voxl-esc/-/blob/066b6308611ac162342a716689d1b4ebe82b1a63/voxl-esc-tools/voxl-esc-upload-params.py#L58

                  However, still use the firmware and params that i originally posted for the low kv motor tuning

                  Alex KushleyevA Offline
                  Alex KushleyevA Offline
                  Alex Kushleyev
                  ModalAI Team
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #19

                  also tag 1.3.2 should work https://gitlab.com/voxl-public/voxl-sdk/utilities/voxl-esc/-/tags/v1.3.2

                  Chase RileyC 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                    also tag 1.3.2 should work https://gitlab.com/voxl-public/voxl-sdk/utilities/voxl-esc/-/tags/v1.3.2

                    Chase RileyC Offline
                    Chase RileyC Offline
                    Chase Riley
                    Regular
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #20

                    @Alex-Kushleyev 1.3.2 seemed to have got the job done. I will let you know if I run in to anymore issues while tuning the esc.

                    Alex KushleyevA 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • Chase RileyC Chase Riley

                      @Alex-Kushleyev 1.3.2 seemed to have got the job done. I will let you know if I run in to anymore issues while tuning the esc.

                      Alex KushleyevA Offline
                      Alex KushleyevA Offline
                      Alex Kushleyev
                      ModalAI Team
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #21

                      @Chase-Riley , great!

                      Now, the tools in latest dev branch have some improvements including plotting. Can you please try one more thing:

                      • use voxl-esc dev branch
                      • replace the following file from v1.3.2, which will allow you to use the old uart bridge interface : https://gitlab.com/voxl-public/voxl-sdk/utilities/voxl-esc/-/blob/master/voxl-esc-tools/voxl_serial.py replace with https://gitlab.com/voxl-public/voxl-sdk/utilities/voxl-esc/-/blob/v1.3.2/voxl-esc-tools/voxl_serial.py

                      this will be easier to support

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev referenced this topic on
                      • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                        @Chase-Riley , absolutely no problem regarding sharing the motor / propeller specs.

                        Alright, i have just posted initial instructions for low-kv motor tuning here : https://gitlab.com/voxl-public/voxl-sdk/utilities/voxl-esc/-/blob/dev/voxl-esc-tools/doc/low_kv_motor_tuning.md . There is also a firmware update version 39 RC11 that you will need to install (this is part of the tuning instructions).

                        Please go ahead and work through the procedure. It is quite detailed and goes beyond what is needed just for low-kv motors, but it represents pretty rigorous initial test that should be performed to ensure your motor will operate smoothly under various conditions.

                        The parameter file ../voxl-esc-params/low_kv/mn4006_m0134_6_low_kv.xml should be a good start for your application, but do follow the instructions to check / update the params as instructed.

                        Please let me know if you run into any issue or need clarification.

                        The main idea behind testing new motor/prop combination is to start with "easy" tests and gradually ramp up the scope of test as you look at the data and become confident that it is working well. I would definitely avoid doing things like plugging in a new motor and prop and just going to 100% power command without a ramp :).

                        I will be improving / updating the instructions in the coming days and will keep you posted about any major updates.

                        Alex KushleyevA Offline
                        Alex KushleyevA Offline
                        Alex Kushleyev
                        ModalAI Team
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #22

                        @Matthew-Wellner FYI

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