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  3. Motor issues when running ESC calibration

Motor issues when running ESC calibration

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved ESCs
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  • 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
    0
    • rdjarvisR rdjarvis

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

      Alex KushleyevA Offline
      Alex KushleyevA Offline
      Alex Kushleyev
      ModalAI Team
      wrote on last edited by
      #46

      @rdjarvis , ok great. Lets take a step back and just make sure you can talk to the ESC from the PC.

      I will test SDK 1.2.0 to make sure it works fine with voxl-esc tools with my esc.

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

        @rdjarvis , ok great. Lets take a step back and just make sure you can talk to the ESC from the PC.

        I will test SDK 1.2.0 to make sure it works fine with voxl-esc tools with my esc.

        rdjarvisR Offline
        rdjarvisR Offline
        rdjarvis
        Regular
        wrote on last edited by
        #47

        @Alex-Kushleyev Copy all, thank you

        1 Reply Last reply
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        • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

          @rdjarvis , ok great. Lets take a step back and just make sure you can talk to the ESC from the PC.

          I will test SDK 1.2.0 to make sure it works fine with voxl-esc tools with my esc.

          Alexander SaundersA Offline
          Alexander SaundersA Offline
          Alexander Saunders
          Contributor
          wrote on last edited by
          #48

          @Alex-Kushleyev

          Also to confirm, I followed the README from dev branch to update.

          Alex KushleyevA 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • Alexander SaundersA Alexander Saunders

            @Alex-Kushleyev

            Also to confirm, I followed the README from dev branch to update.

            Alex KushleyevA Offline
            Alex KushleyevA Offline
            Alex Kushleyev
            ModalAI Team
            wrote on last edited by
            #49

            @Alexander-Saunders , thank you for confirming. I see that you are using SDK 1.2.0, which is very recent, so it already has (almost) the latest voxl-esc tools.

            I am in the process of testing the tools on voxl2 using SDK 1.2.0, please try to connect to your PC directly and this should properly detect your ESC.

            rdjarvisR 1 Reply Last reply
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            • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

              @Alexander-Saunders , thank you for confirming. I see that you are using SDK 1.2.0, which is very recent, so it already has (almost) the latest voxl-esc tools.

              I am in the process of testing the tools on voxl2 using SDK 1.2.0, please try to connect to your PC directly and this should properly detect your ESC.

              rdjarvisR Offline
              rdjarvisR Offline
              rdjarvis
              Regular
              wrote on last edited by
              #50

              @Alex-Kushleyev
              ssh'd into Linux PC.
              Connected to ESC with USB to SERIAL
              voxl2:/usr/share/modalai/voxl-esc-tools/voxl-esc-scan.py

              received same error as Windows PC.

              No ESCs detected

              Alex KushleyevA 1 Reply Last reply
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              • rdjarvisR rdjarvis

                @Alex-Kushleyev
                ssh'd into Linux PC.
                Connected to ESC with USB to SERIAL
                voxl2:/usr/share/modalai/voxl-esc-tools/voxl-esc-scan.py

                received same error as Windows PC.

                No ESCs detected

                Alex KushleyevA Offline
                Alex KushleyevA Offline
                Alex Kushleyev
                ModalAI Team
                wrote on last edited by
                #51

                @rdjarvis,

                What do you mean "ssh'd into Linux PC" ?

                I am suggesting to connect the ESC to a standalone Linux PC and run the voxl-esc-scan.py on the linux PC (not on VOXL2).

                Just wanted to clarify..

                I tested the SDK 1.2.0 and the tools are working fine, it seems.

                rdjarvisR 2 Replies Last reply
                0
                • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                  @rdjarvis,

                  What do you mean "ssh'd into Linux PC" ?

                  I am suggesting to connect the ESC to a standalone Linux PC and run the voxl-esc-scan.py on the linux PC (not on VOXL2).

                  Just wanted to clarify..

                  I tested the SDK 1.2.0 and the tools are working fine, it seems.

                  rdjarvisR Offline
                  rdjarvisR Offline
                  rdjarvis
                  Regular
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #52

                  @Alex-Kushleyev

                  On the Linux PC we are directly connected to 4 pin JST on ESC to USB.

                  I ssh'd into VOXL2 from the Linux PC terminal.

                  I ran voxl-esc-scan.py in VOXL2 (same results) No ESCs detected.

                  I ran same command in Linux terminal (not ssh'd into VOXL2) same results. No ESCs detected.

                  This is including running same command in /usr/share/modalai/voxl-esc-tools/.voxl-esc-scan.py

                  RDJ

                  1 Reply Last reply
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                  • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                    @rdjarvis,

                    What do you mean "ssh'd into Linux PC" ?

                    I am suggesting to connect the ESC to a standalone Linux PC and run the voxl-esc-scan.py on the linux PC (not on VOXL2).

                    Just wanted to clarify..

                    I tested the SDK 1.2.0 and the tools are working fine, it seems.

                    rdjarvisR Offline
                    rdjarvisR Offline
                    rdjarvis
                    Regular
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #53

                    @Alex-Kushleyev power is on the UAV and ESC gave proper Flashes/Tones.

                    Alex KushleyevA 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • rdjarvisR rdjarvis

                      @Alex-Kushleyev power is on the UAV and ESC gave proper Flashes/Tones.

                      Alex KushleyevA Offline
                      Alex KushleyevA Offline
                      Alex Kushleyev
                      ModalAI Team
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #54

                      @rdjarvis , which serial to usb cable are you using? have you tested it with an ESC before? I am wondering if the RX/TX connections are correct and not swapped.

                      Also, do you have any other Modalai ESC you can test just to make sure the cables are working?

                      rdjarvisR 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                        @rdjarvis , which serial to usb cable are you using? have you tested it with an ESC before? I am wondering if the RX/TX connections are correct and not swapped.

                        Also, do you have any other Modalai ESC you can test just to make sure the cables are working?

                        rdjarvisR Offline
                        rdjarvisR Offline
                        rdjarvis
                        Regular
                        wrote on last edited by rdjarvis
                        #55

                        @Alex-Kushleyev

                        MCBL-00091-1
                        USB to Serial UART Cable from ModalAI
                        Both right out of the new bag.

                        We have 2 of these. Tested both. Same results.

                        Alex KushleyevA 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • rdjarvisR rdjarvis

                          @Alex-Kushleyev

                          MCBL-00091-1
                          USB to Serial UART Cable from ModalAI
                          Both right out of the new bag.

                          We have 2 of these. Tested both. Same results.

                          Alex KushleyevA Offline
                          Alex KushleyevA Offline
                          Alex Kushleyev
                          ModalAI Team
                          wrote on last edited by Alex Kushleyev
                          #56

                          @rdjarvis , ok so just to clarify.. as soon as you uploaded the new params that I provided, the esc stopped communicating? Can you please check to make sure you did not modify the baud rate in the param file before uploading?

                          rdjarvisR 2 Replies Last reply
                          0
                          • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                            @rdjarvis , ok so just to clarify.. as soon as you uploaded the new params that I provided, the esc stopped communicating? Can you please check to make sure you did not modify the baud rate in the param file before uploading?

                            rdjarvisR Offline
                            rdjarvisR Offline
                            rdjarvis
                            Regular
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #57

                            @Alex-Kushleyev Screenshot 2024-04-17 125812.png

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                              @rdjarvis , ok so just to clarify.. as soon as you uploaded the new params that I provided, the esc stopped communicating? Can you please check to make sure you did not modify the baud rate in the param file before uploading?

                              rdjarvisR Offline
                              rdjarvisR Offline
                              rdjarvis
                              Regular
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #58

                              @Alex-Kushleyev The params you sent worked. I tested the new motors params, with the aggressive test procedures you sent.

                              They worked. Motors performed well and we confirmed the sinusoidal spin-up.

                              Binded Spektrum DSMX RX/TX and calibrated through QGC.

                              RC channels successfully calibrated in QGC.
                              Programed switches for Flight Modes.
                              ARM/DISARMED Motor kill all successful.

                              Armed for maiden flight. Slowly increased throttle with no motor response.

                              This led us to where we are now.

                              Alex KushleyevA 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • rdjarvisR rdjarvis

                                @Alex-Kushleyev The params you sent worked. I tested the new motors params, with the aggressive test procedures you sent.

                                They worked. Motors performed well and we confirmed the sinusoidal spin-up.

                                Binded Spektrum DSMX RX/TX and calibrated through QGC.

                                RC channels successfully calibrated in QGC.
                                Programed switches for Flight Modes.
                                ARM/DISARMED Motor kill all successful.

                                Armed for maiden flight. Slowly increased throttle with no motor response.

                                This led us to where we are now.

                                Alex KushleyevA Offline
                                Alex KushleyevA Offline
                                Alex Kushleyev
                                ModalAI Team
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #59

                                @rdjarvis , thank you for clarifying.

                                it seems there is some hardware issue. Can you please confirm that nothing is making contact with the ESC components, which could cause a short or something like this? Also please inspect the 4-pin UART connector on the ESC (and around it) to make sure there is no short or anything like that cause by loose debris or anything else.

                                rdjarvisR Alexander SaundersA 4 Replies Last reply
                                0
                                • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                                  @rdjarvis , thank you for clarifying.

                                  it seems there is some hardware issue. Can you please confirm that nothing is making contact with the ESC components, which could cause a short or something like this? Also please inspect the 4-pin UART connector on the ESC (and around it) to make sure there is no short or anything like that cause by loose debris or anything else.

                                  rdjarvisR Offline
                                  rdjarvisR Offline
                                  rdjarvis
                                  Regular
                                  wrote on last edited by rdjarvis
                                  #60

                                  @Alex-Kushleyev

                                  We just verified all solder and JST connections on the ModalAI FPV 4n1 ESC and VOXL2.

                                  All connections are good. No shorts, no solder balls. 4 PIN USB JST connections to and from ESC and VOXL are in perfect condition and reflect no sign of wear and tear. The first time they have been disconnected for either board was for this test.

                                  Upon reconnecting, and power being applied all lights and tones are heard from ESC, and able to ssh into VOXL2 with no issues.

                                  Ran esc scan and esc detect, resulting in NO ESCs DETECTED.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                                    @rdjarvis , thank you for clarifying.

                                    it seems there is some hardware issue. Can you please confirm that nothing is making contact with the ESC components, which could cause a short or something like this? Also please inspect the 4-pin UART connector on the ESC (and around it) to make sure there is no short or anything like that cause by loose debris or anything else.

                                    Alexander SaundersA Offline
                                    Alexander SaundersA Offline
                                    Alexander Saunders
                                    Contributor
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #61

                                    @Alex-Kushleyev

                                    We tried a new ESC, Modalai M0138-1, and that was detected. We are replacing the hardware and will resume testing.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                                      @rdjarvis , thank you for clarifying.

                                      it seems there is some hardware issue. Can you please confirm that nothing is making contact with the ESC components, which could cause a short or something like this? Also please inspect the 4-pin UART connector on the ESC (and around it) to make sure there is no short or anything like that cause by loose debris or anything else.

                                      rdjarvisR Offline
                                      rdjarvisR Offline
                                      rdjarvis
                                      Regular
                                      wrote on last edited by rdjarvis
                                      #62

                                      @Alex-Kushleyev

                                      Top lines are from FPV ESC#2. (GREEN ESC DETECTED)

                                      Bottom lines are from FPV ESC#1.

                                      ERROR: voxl_uart_read_bytes: Bus '12' is not initialized

                                      This has been a common ERROR with these tests. What is "Bus 12" and how do we initialize it?Screenshot 2024-04-17 155555.png

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • Alex KushleyevA Alex Kushleyev

                                        @rdjarvis , thank you for clarifying.

                                        it seems there is some hardware issue. Can you please confirm that nothing is making contact with the ESC components, which could cause a short or something like this? Also please inspect the 4-pin UART connector on the ESC (and around it) to make sure there is no short or anything like that cause by loose debris or anything else.

                                        rdjarvisR Offline
                                        rdjarvisR Offline
                                        rdjarvis
                                        Regular
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #63

                                        @Alex-Kushleyev

                                        **UPDATE.

                                        #2 ModalAI FPV connected to VOXL2 and 4x T-Motor 2203.5 2850kv

                                        Good connections, good lights and tones, VOXL2 connected to PC perfectly

                                        Loaded params provided by you and conducted good spin test.

                                        Connected to QGC, arm/disarm/motor kill all successful. (spins / stops)

                                        Armed in Manual and Stabilized, motors armed and when throttle added there is no response from motors. we can view on QGC when throttle (Channel 3) is increased and get positive value.

                                        Verified all other channels operating in QGC Radio tab. Low, High PWM values are in limits, positive response for pitch, roll, and yaw commands.

                                        NO RESPONSE FROM ESC/MOTORS ON THROTTLE INPUTS. MOTORS DO RESPOND TO DIFFERENT ANGLES TO TRY AND LEVEL BUT NO THROTTLE INPUT REGISTERED WHEN USING RC.

                                        Alex KushleyevA 1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • rdjarvisR rdjarvis

                                          @Alex-Kushleyev

                                          **UPDATE.

                                          #2 ModalAI FPV connected to VOXL2 and 4x T-Motor 2203.5 2850kv

                                          Good connections, good lights and tones, VOXL2 connected to PC perfectly

                                          Loaded params provided by you and conducted good spin test.

                                          Connected to QGC, arm/disarm/motor kill all successful. (spins / stops)

                                          Armed in Manual and Stabilized, motors armed and when throttle added there is no response from motors. we can view on QGC when throttle (Channel 3) is increased and get positive value.

                                          Verified all other channels operating in QGC Radio tab. Low, High PWM values are in limits, positive response for pitch, roll, and yaw commands.

                                          NO RESPONSE FROM ESC/MOTORS ON THROTTLE INPUTS. MOTORS DO RESPOND TO DIFFERENT ANGLES TO TRY AND LEVEL BUT NO THROTTLE INPUT REGISTERED WHEN USING RC.

                                          Alex KushleyevA Offline
                                          Alex KushleyevA Offline
                                          Alex Kushleyev
                                          ModalAI Team
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #64

                                          @rdjarvis, so when you arm, the motors are spinning at idle rpm and rpms are not changing? Can you send me a short px4 log of this test?

                                          Did you update px4 params for voxl esc min and max rpms?

                                          rdjarvisR 1 Reply Last reply
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