Starling 2 Max Motor Catches

RyanH

We've noticed on our Starling 2 Max that one of the motors feels like it catches/seizes, i.e. while spinning it by hand it will spin smoothly, but then will sometimes grab/seize and require force to make it continue to spin. The UAS has not crashed and we do not see any debris in the motor. Is this typical and/or safe, or should we replace the motor (2203.5 KV1500)? We assume the latter, in which case do you sell the motor, and can you give us a SKU/cost? I don't see it listed on your web-site.

Thanks!

Eric Katzfey

@RyanH I'll let another of my associates comment on the purchase of a new motor. But can you also share a px4 log file from such a flight. It would be helpful for us to take a look at it.

RyanH

@Eric-Katzfey , we noticed this while preparing for a flight, i.e., just spinning each of the motors/props by hand. After having it catch we did not feel comfortable flying it. The last time we flew the drone was months ago and I don't have a Px4 log from that flight.

Eric Katzfey

@RyanH You don't need to fly the drone to get a log. Perhaps take off the props, arm it, throttle it up a few times, then disarm.

RyanH

@Eric-Katzfey , thanks, will try later this week and post the px4 log. In the mean-time, if you have the part number info I might also try and get a purchase going if possible.

Moderator

@RyanH

T-motor has been banned in the US, so we can't purchase those directly any longer and have moved to a different motor for the product

this might be a good place to purchase a replacement motor https://www.amazon.com/TYXTTGY-F2203-5-Brushless-Motor-Cinewhoop/dp/B0F21NFKKW?th=1
it looks to have the same specs as t-motor

Alex Kushleyev

@RyanH ,

Sometimes there is small pieces of random magnetic debris that gets stuck in the motor.

First, you could try using compressed air to clear out the motor.

Additionally, It could help to spin the motor up and down using voxl-esc command line tools a few times to clear it out (without prop is best, just for safety). Spinning the motor without prop a bunch of times could get the debris dislodged and actually broken up by the moving motor parts, so that the debris is no longer large enough to cause a problem. Reversing motor spin using voxl-esc test tools can help dislodge the debris (you can commend negative power/rpm).

You can find useful info regarding motor testing here : https://docs.modalai.com/voxl-escs/faq/

Alex