ArduRover_ArmESC

I find this question often in the internet - and I also see it go unanswered. Here is a stepwise guide to arm the Brushless ESC using Arduino. The usual disclaimer applies: 1) this is a general guide to know your arming point - not a specific answer; 2) this may kill your arduino / your ESC / your motor or your computer - am not responsible.

Having gotten them out of the way:

Code: [Select]


#include <Servo.h>

Servo motor;

void setup ()
{
  motor.attach(9); 
  Serial.begin(9600);
  int i = 0;

  //Give some time before you start anything like switching on your ESC / Motor

  Serial.print("Arming Test Starts in ");
  for(i =10; i > 0; i--)
  {
     Serial.print(i);
     Serial.print(".. ");
  }

  Serial.println();

// Watch for the tone when the ESC gets armed

  for(i = 50; i < 130; i++)
  {
     motor.write(i);
     Serial.println("i");
     delay(500);
  }
}

void loop()
{
}
When I run this on my ESC, it first gives 10sec to setup / switch on all the stuff. When you switch on your ESC, you will hear a double beep (note this tone). Now the second loop after the delay starts - where it sends one degree worth of pulse every 500 millisecs to the ESC. I have intentionally made a wide range (50 - 130), whereas your ESC will probably arm very close to neutral.

When the signal to the ESC reaches 87 - 93, pay attention - the ESC will let out another beep. This is different from the one you heard when switching it on. 

There is a bit of experimentation needed here to pinpoint the exact arming position. For my ESC, now - all I do is the following, to arm it. 

Note 1: My ESC arms at a signal of "91". For your ESC, it may be 90 or 92.

Note 2: The delay is crucial. I have gone down till 200 millisecs and still got it working. Try pushing the limit, and post as reply if you can get it.
Once the ESC has been armed, then it is a simple case of treating the angle as the run signal to the ESC. For example - see the code below

Code: [Select]


void loop()
{
  motor.write(105); delay(1000);
  motor.write(91); delay(2000);
}

will repeatedly run the motor for 1 second, and brake it for 2 seconds. Now, once the ESC is armed - the signal code "91" is merely treated as a Servo angle signal and will not repeatedly arm the ESC (until you switch the power off and on again).

I am still trying to get the forward and reverse turns on my motor reliably - it happens sporadically. I will post a second post once I have got it down pat.