Quadcopter motor configuration is a process that requires utmost care. Failure to follow the right steps and make the right connections could result in dysfunction. For that reason, utmost care needs to be employed when configuring the motor to ESCs, propellers as well as the batteries.
In this article, I will try to give an in insight on how the connections are made. However, of great significance to note is the fact that configurations differ from one quadcopter to the other. I will, however, major my configuration on Pixhawk quadcopter.
1. Connect the motor PWM signal outputs:
This is the first step in motor configuration. You need to connect the power denoted by (+), the ground denoted by (-) and the signal denoted by (s) wires for every ESC to the controller main output using the motor numbers.
The motor order depends on the frame type. For that reason, you need to first take note of your frame type in order to know the specific order of motors. From the image below, the first four pins are colour coded in order to facilitate easy connection.
2. Connecting to the propellers:
There are two types of motors, the CW and the CCW. Clockwise (CW) motors use the pusher propellers while the Counterclockwise motors (CCW) use the puller propeller. After identifying the appropriate propeller for your motor, you need to attach it appropriately. The propellers need to be attached with the writings facing upward like to the sky.
3. Motor to ESC configuration:
To configure motor to the ESC, given the fact that it is the speed controller, you need to insert the three wires to their corresponding colours on the ESC.
Although these wires have no polarity and thus interchanging them might not cause much havoc, it is always a wise idea to put them to their corresponding colours for convenience. From the image below, you can clearly see the colour matching.
4. Testing motor spin directions:
After making all the necessary connections, configuration is never complete before you test the motor spin directions.
How do you do that?
First, you need to ensure that there are no propellers on your quadcopter, then switch on the transmitter while ensuring that the flight mode switch has been set to stabilize.
After that, you are supposed to connect the battery and then arm the quadcopter by holding rudder right and the throttle down for like five seconds.
If it fails to arm, there is a very high possibility that your quadcopter failed the Pre-Arm Safety Check. This calls for you to go back to the drawing board and troubleshoot the problem.
However, if it achieves the right throttle; you are supposed to ensure that the motor direction matches with the one shown on your frame. If they don’t match, you are supposed to reverse your motor immediately. To reverse motor direction, you only need to interchange any two of the three motor to ESC power leads.
Conclusion
In making the right quadcopter motor configurations, one needs to ensure that every item is connected to their indicated position.
For instance, the battery connections need to be made at the battery section, the ESC connections at the ESC section, the propeller connections at the propeller section. However, the testing process is a sure way to confirm whether configurations are made in the right way or not.
