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Motor issues when running ESC calibration

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  • rdjarvisR rdjarvis

    @Alex-Kushleyev Wonderful! Thank you for the hard work! Im happy you were able to reproduce. As you see, the motor heats up very early on the calibration cycle.

    We are ready to test as soon as you can send those params!

    Thank you,
    RDJ

    Alex KushleyevA Offline
    Alex KushleyevA Offline
    Alex Kushleyev
    ModalAI Team
    wrote on last edited by
    #26

    @rdjarvis ,

    I have added the parameter file (here) . I used your exact motor and 3076 tri-blade propeller.

    If you have slightly different propeller, all you should have to do is just run the calibration procedure (please use voxl-esc tools from main branch) , update the a0,a1,a2 params and upload the new esc param file to the ESC.

    I think this should perform pretty well, i did some aggressive testing (rpm step from 10k to 30k rpm), using the following command, and the results are very smooth. You can use this test and start with a lower step amplitude and make sure that works well and then increase the step size as you gain confidence. you should see smooth results like this, if you see any unusual spikes, let me know and send a plot.

    #only test this with battery (not power supply) due to regenerative spikes
    ./voxl-esc-spin-step.py --id 2 --rpm 10000 --step-amplitude 20000 --timeout 3 --enable-plot 1 --cmd-rate 2000
    

    1dc58609-7890-4a4d-a5fd-de9438bdb4c3-image.png

    Please upload this param file, and run the calibration, you can also do the ramp test to 100% using

    ./voxl-esc-spin.py --id 2 --power 100 --ramp-time 2.0 --timeout 2.5 --enable-plot 1 --cmd-rate 250
    

    Produces the following results on my setup (very smooth):
    9cdd2adb-0da7-426a-913e-74961c8af3b1-image.png

    You can update your max rpm based on this result, but beware that max rpm is a function of voltage.

    rdjarvisR Alexander SaundersA 2 Replies Last reply
    0
    • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

      @rdjarvis ,

      I have added the parameter file (here) . I used your exact motor and 3076 tri-blade propeller.

      If you have slightly different propeller, all you should have to do is just run the calibration procedure (please use voxl-esc tools from main branch) , update the a0,a1,a2 params and upload the new esc param file to the ESC.

      I think this should perform pretty well, i did some aggressive testing (rpm step from 10k to 30k rpm), using the following command, and the results are very smooth. You can use this test and start with a lower step amplitude and make sure that works well and then increase the step size as you gain confidence. you should see smooth results like this, if you see any unusual spikes, let me know and send a plot.

      #only test this with battery (not power supply) due to regenerative spikes
      ./voxl-esc-spin-step.py --id 2 --rpm 10000 --step-amplitude 20000 --timeout 3 --enable-plot 1 --cmd-rate 2000
      

      1dc58609-7890-4a4d-a5fd-de9438bdb4c3-image.png

      Please upload this param file, and run the calibration, you can also do the ramp test to 100% using

      ./voxl-esc-spin.py --id 2 --power 100 --ramp-time 2.0 --timeout 2.5 --enable-plot 1 --cmd-rate 250
      

      Produces the following results on my setup (very smooth):
      9cdd2adb-0da7-426a-913e-74961c8af3b1-image.png

      You can update your max rpm based on this result, but beware that max rpm is a function of voltage.

      rdjarvisR Offline
      rdjarvisR Offline
      rdjarvis
      Regular
      wrote on last edited by
      #27

      @Alex-Kushleyev We will test soon and get back to you.

      As always, thank you for all the help!!

      RDJ

      1 Reply Last reply
      1
      • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

        @rdjarvis ,

        I have added the parameter file (here) . I used your exact motor and 3076 tri-blade propeller.

        If you have slightly different propeller, all you should have to do is just run the calibration procedure (please use voxl-esc tools from main branch) , update the a0,a1,a2 params and upload the new esc param file to the ESC.

        I think this should perform pretty well, i did some aggressive testing (rpm step from 10k to 30k rpm), using the following command, and the results are very smooth. You can use this test and start with a lower step amplitude and make sure that works well and then increase the step size as you gain confidence. you should see smooth results like this, if you see any unusual spikes, let me know and send a plot.

        #only test this with battery (not power supply) due to regenerative spikes
        ./voxl-esc-spin-step.py --id 2 --rpm 10000 --step-amplitude 20000 --timeout 3 --enable-plot 1 --cmd-rate 2000
        

        1dc58609-7890-4a4d-a5fd-de9438bdb4c3-image.png

        Please upload this param file, and run the calibration, you can also do the ramp test to 100% using

        ./voxl-esc-spin.py --id 2 --power 100 --ramp-time 2.0 --timeout 2.5 --enable-plot 1 --cmd-rate 250
        

        Produces the following results on my setup (very smooth):
        9cdd2adb-0da7-426a-913e-74961c8af3b1-image.png

        You can update your max rpm based on this result, but beware that max rpm is a function of voltage.

        Alexander SaundersA Offline
        Alexander SaundersA Offline
        Alexander Saunders
        Contributor
        wrote on last edited by
        #28

        @Alex-Kushleyev

        We ran the calibration script and failing to see where/which directory the html file is being stored. Could you point me to the location?

        Alex KushleyevA 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • blueB blue referenced this topic on
        • Alexander SaundersA Alexander Saunders

          @Alex-Kushleyev

          We ran the calibration script and failing to see where/which directory the html file is being stored. Could you point me to the location?

          Alex KushleyevA Offline
          Alex KushleyevA Offline
          Alex Kushleyev
          ModalAI Team
          wrote on last edited by
          #29

          @Alexander-Saunders , the file should be saved in the same directory where you are running the calibration script from (current directory). here is the line of code in the calibration script, which saves the figure right before trying to plot it in a browser.

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

            @Alexander-Saunders , the file should be saved in the same directory where you are running the calibration script from (current directory). here is the line of code in the calibration script, which saves the figure right before trying to plot it in a browser.

            Alex KushleyevA Offline
            Alex KushleyevA Offline
            Alex Kushleyev
            ModalAI Team
            wrote on last edited by
            #30

            here is the calibration result i got with my setup (and the a0, a1, a2 params are already in the xml file i linked before):

            1d3b2a05-695e-4aa3-8a95-7cb3242644d9-image.png

            rdjarvisR 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

              here is the calibration result i got with my setup (and the a0, a1, a2 params are already in the xml file i linked before):

              1d3b2a05-695e-4aa3-8a95-7cb3242644d9-image.png

              rdjarvisR Offline
              rdjarvisR Offline
              rdjarvis
              Regular
              wrote on last edited by
              #31

              @Alex-Kushleyev after uploading the new params you sent the ESC no longer communicates with the VOXL2.

              The ESC board is no longer recognized by VOXL2. All hardware is set up properly.
              Screenshot 2024-04-17 110112.png

              voxl_uart_read_byte bus 12 is not initiated

              Please point us in the right direction.

              Alex KushleyevA 1 Reply Last reply
              1
              • rdjarvisR rdjarvis

                @Alex-Kushleyev after uploading the new params you sent the ESC no longer communicates with the VOXL2.

                The ESC board is no longer recognized by VOXL2. All hardware is set up properly.
                Screenshot 2024-04-17 110112.png

                voxl_uart_read_byte bus 12 is not initiated

                Please point us in the right direction.

                Alex KushleyevA Offline
                Alex KushleyevA Offline
                Alex Kushleyev
                ModalAI Team
                wrote on last edited by
                #32

                @rdjarvis , the latest params switched baud rate from 250k to 2mbit, but that should not be an issue. You should make sure voxl esc param in px4 is 20000000.

                Please try voxl-esc python tools directly and make sure px4 is disabled when you run them (instead of running the voxl-esc wrapper like you did).

                Sometimes stopping px4 gets the dsp in a weird state, in which case you can disable px4 from autostart, reboot and then do a voxl-esc-scan.py

                rdjarvisR Alexander SaundersA 2 Replies Last reply
                0
                • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                  @rdjarvis , the latest params switched baud rate from 250k to 2mbit, but that should not be an issue. You should make sure voxl esc param in px4 is 20000000.

                  Please try voxl-esc python tools directly and make sure px4 is disabled when you run them (instead of running the voxl-esc wrapper like you did).

                  Sometimes stopping px4 gets the dsp in a weird state, in which case you can disable px4 from autostart, reboot and then do a voxl-esc-scan.py

                  rdjarvisR Offline
                  rdjarvisR Offline
                  rdjarvis
                  Regular
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #33

                  @Alex-Kushleyev Copy all, we will try. Thank you.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  2
                  • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                    @rdjarvis , the latest params switched baud rate from 250k to 2mbit, but that should not be an issue. You should make sure voxl esc param in px4 is 20000000.

                    Please try voxl-esc python tools directly and make sure px4 is disabled when you run them (instead of running the voxl-esc wrapper like you did).

                    Sometimes stopping px4 gets the dsp in a weird state, in which case you can disable px4 from autostart, reboot and then do a voxl-esc-scan.py

                    Alexander SaundersA Offline
                    Alexander SaundersA Offline
                    Alexander Saunders
                    Contributor
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #34

                    @Alex-Kushleyev

                    For the esc tools, we were running the commands from /usr/share/modalai/voxl-esc-tools. To clarify, for the baud rate changes, do you want 2,000,000 or 20,000,000. We will try the tools again and confirm px4 is stopped via systemctl stop voxl-px4.

                    Alex KushleyevA 1 Reply Last reply
                    1
                    • Alexander SaundersA Alexander Saunders

                      @Alex-Kushleyev

                      For the esc tools, we were running the commands from /usr/share/modalai/voxl-esc-tools. To clarify, for the baud rate changes, do you want 2,000,000 or 20,000,000. We will try the tools again and confirm px4 is stopped via systemctl stop voxl-px4.

                      Alex KushleyevA Offline
                      Alex KushleyevA Offline
                      Alex Kushleyev
                      ModalAI Team
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #35

                      @Alexander-Saunders, my bad too many zeros. 2,000,000 (2Mbit)

                      Alex KushleyevA Alexander SaundersA 2 Replies Last reply
                      0
                      • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                        @Alexander-Saunders, my bad too many zeros. 2,000,000 (2Mbit)

                        Alex KushleyevA Offline
                        Alex KushleyevA Offline
                        Alex Kushleyev
                        ModalAI Team
                        wrote on last edited by Alex Kushleyev
                        #36

                        The screen shot in earlier post today shows running “voxl-esc” which is a wrapper for the python tools, sometimes it is easier just to use python tools directly, but make sure they are latest version. the version in /usr/share/modalai is probably not latest. Normally you dont need to update the tools but if something is not working as expected, it is good to try the latest.

                        rdjarvisR 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                          The screen shot in earlier post today shows running “voxl-esc” which is a wrapper for the python tools, sometimes it is easier just to use python tools directly, but make sure they are latest version. the version in /usr/share/modalai is probably not latest. Normally you dont need to update the tools but if something is not working as expected, it is good to try the latest.

                          rdjarvisR Offline
                          rdjarvisR Offline
                          rdjarvis
                          Regular
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #37

                          @Alex-Kushleyev Screenshot 2024-04-17 113251.png

                          We verified PX4 was not running.

                          systemctl stop voxl-px4

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          2
                          • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                            @Alexander-Saunders, my bad too many zeros. 2,000,000 (2Mbit)

                            Alexander SaundersA Offline
                            Alexander SaundersA Offline
                            Alexander Saunders
                            Contributor
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #38

                            @Alex-Kushleyev

                            No worries. We also verified if the issue was with the particular param file and ran the command to upload a different one. No luck with that and we still receive the same error (Bus 12, ESC not detected, etc)

                            Alex KushleyevA 1 Reply Last reply
                            1
                            • Alexander SaundersA Alexander Saunders

                              @Alex-Kushleyev

                              No worries. We also verified if the issue was with the particular param file and ran the command to upload a different one. No luck with that and we still receive the same error (Bus 12, ESC not detected, etc)

                              Alex KushleyevA Offline
                              Alex KushleyevA Offline
                              Alex Kushleyev
                              ModalAI Team
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #39

                              @Alexander-Saunders

                              Can you please try voxl-esc tools from dev branch on github? Instead of /usr/share/modalai/voxl-esc-tools

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

                                @Alexander-Saunders

                                Can you please try voxl-esc tools from dev branch on github? Instead of /usr/share/modalai/voxl-esc-tools

                                Alex KushleyevA Offline
                                Alex KushleyevA Offline
                                Alex Kushleyev
                                ModalAI Team
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #40

                                Also, which SDK are you using? i am surprised to see this issue.

                                Also, can you please double check the ESC bootup sequence:

                                • apply power
                                • 4 blue leds flash quickly for 1 second, then turn off
                                • 4 blue leds blink twice
                                • motor makes a quick chirp (three tones based on the latest params that provided)
                                rdjarvisR Alex KushleyevA 2 Replies Last reply
                                0
                                • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                                  Also, which SDK are you using? i am surprised to see this issue.

                                  Also, can you please double check the ESC bootup sequence:

                                  • apply power
                                  • 4 blue leds flash quickly for 1 second, then turn off
                                  • 4 blue leds blink twice
                                  • motor makes a quick chirp (three tones based on the latest params that provided)
                                  rdjarvisR Offline
                                  rdjarvisR Offline
                                  rdjarvis
                                  Regular
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #41

                                  @Alex-Kushleyev ESC gave

                                  4 LEDs quickly flashing
                                  4 LEDs flash 3 times
                                  Motor chirps

                                  rdjarvisR Alex KushleyevA 2 Replies Last reply
                                  1
                                  • rdjarvisR rdjarvis

                                    @Alex-Kushleyev ESC gave

                                    4 LEDs quickly flashing
                                    4 LEDs flash 3 times
                                    Motor chirps

                                    rdjarvisR Offline
                                    rdjarvisR Offline
                                    rdjarvis
                                    Regular
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #42

                                    @rdjarvis Screenshot 2024-04-17 115253.png

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    1
                                    • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                                      Also, which SDK are you using? i am surprised to see this issue.

                                      Also, can you please double check the ESC bootup sequence:

                                      • apply power
                                      • 4 blue leds flash quickly for 1 second, then turn off
                                      • 4 blue leds blink twice
                                      • motor makes a quick chirp (three tones based on the latest params that provided)
                                      Alex KushleyevA Offline
                                      Alex KushleyevA Offline
                                      Alex Kushleyev
                                      ModalAI Team
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #43

                                      One more suggestion, it often helps to use a direct connection between the ESC and your linux PC and run the voxl-esc tools there. This way you can see the plots instantly during testing and also if there are some issues with communication to the ESC, you can always connect it to the PC and check the ESC that way.

                                      Do you have a USB to serial adapter cable that plugs into the ESC <-> PC ?

                                      rdjarvisR 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • rdjarvisR rdjarvis

                                        @Alex-Kushleyev ESC gave

                                        4 LEDs quickly flashing
                                        4 LEDs flash 3 times
                                        Motor chirps

                                        Alex KushleyevA Offline
                                        Alex KushleyevA Offline
                                        Alex Kushleyev
                                        ModalAI Team
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #44

                                        @rdjarvis said in Motor issues when running ESC calibration:

                                        @Alex-Kushleyev ESC gave

                                        4 LEDs quickly flashing
                                        4 LEDs flash 3 times
                                        Motor chirps

                                        OK that is good!

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                                          One more suggestion, it often helps to use a direct connection between the ESC and your linux PC and run the voxl-esc tools there. This way you can see the plots instantly during testing and also if there are some issues with communication to the ESC, you can always connect it to the PC and check the ESC that way.

                                          Do you have a USB to serial adapter cable that plugs into the ESC <-> PC ?

                                          rdjarvisR Offline
                                          rdjarvisR Offline
                                          rdjarvis
                                          Regular
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #45

                                          @Alex-Kushleyev, yes we have the USB/Serial connector.

                                          Alex KushleyevA 1 Reply Last reply
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