Bypassing Solo Motor Pods / ESC's

Andycamm · Jan 13, 2017

Hi Solo friends. I am transferring my solo electronics to a new folding frame I built and was wondering if anyone has figured out a way to bypass the motor pods/ESC's to use their own. My biggest concern is that there might be other electronics in the pod that have to talk to the main board. Loosing the LED lights does not bother me as I could easily install my own.

RichWest · Jan 13, 2017

Any SimonK compatible ESC will work per the Solo GitHub site details. As well there are several posting here discussing an alternative ESC usage....

GitHub - 3drobotics/solo-esc-simonk: Firmware for Solo ESC REV2 - Based on SimonK firmware

Andycamm · Jan 13, 2017

RichWest said:
Any SimonK compatible ESC will work per the Solo GitHub site details. As well there are several posting here discussing an alternative ESC usage....

Hi Rich, thank you for your response. Unfortunately all the info on the GitHub site was a bit over my head. I'm gathering that most any simonK ESC will work. Now I just need to figure out what the 6 or so wires on the little white multi pin connector go to. Does anyone have info identifying the multi pin connector that connects the motor pod? So far I am only straight on the two small bullet connectors that supply power to the ESC.

GitHub - 3drobotics/solo-esc-simonk: Firmware for Solo ESC REV2 - Based on SimonK firmware

RichWest · Jan 14, 2017

I'm fairly certain if you look at the ESC on the motor pod you can id the wiring layout...with a meter.

pious_greek · Jan 14, 2017

@tngo appears to working on the same thing: Solo's 8 pin Motor Pod Connector pinout

There's a link on that post to a webpage which offers guidance on how to determine the ESC pinouts.

RichWest · Jan 14, 2017

Try this link for my suggestion to ID. I'd be leery of the source however...

Solo Development Area

pious_greek · Jan 14, 2017

Yes, a dubious source at best! Not to be trusted.

Andycamm · Jan 14, 2017

I saw a Solo tear down video from a user that called his company "Groom Lake Aviation" he was offering solo motor pod repairs. If any one has contact info for them, I would be willing to pay for someone to tell me what the one Red wire and the 7 Black wires go to ?

pious_greek · Jan 14, 2017

You will have to do some fact checking, but this is what it looks like to me:

If you start your counting from the red wire as pin 1...
Pin 1 - 88 Pin 11
Pin 2 - 88 Pin 10
Pin 3 - GND
Pin 4 - 8A Pin 32 (PWM Signal)
Pin 5 - Unknown or Not Used
Pin 6 - Unknown or Not Used
Pin 7 - 88 Pin 28
Pin 8 - 88 Pin 27

I've attached pictures of the two atmel chips. The pin numbering on the atmel chips is clockwise, with pin 1 near the Circle/white dot.

It should also be noted that there are six copper pads on the PCB, each pad is connected to it's corresponding pin excluding pins 5 and 6.

@tngo, there are two chips on the ESC which can be flashed. To access them you need to hookup to the copper pads which are appropriately labeled for each chip. Check out the images.

tngo · Jan 21, 2017

Thanks pious, I've noticed that also. Thx for the additional pics.

T

Beaujewel · Feb 7, 2017

What are the stock escs capable of? I have found a motor I'd like to try but it will draw around 13a, will it be OK on the stock ESC?

andrew.baker.142 · Feb 8, 2017

Stock esc is good for 20A continuous

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

techspy · May 11, 2017

Wondering if anymore info has been found on this. I am installing a different flight controller and now know which wires are for PWM input but would like to be able to have the leds lit. Not worried about different condition/colors, just would like them on. Anyone know what pins control the leds?
Thanks

tngo · May 11, 2017

techspy said:
Wondering if anymore info has been found on this. I am installing a different flight controller and now know which wires are for PWM input but would like to be able to have the leds lit. Not worried about different condition/colors, just would like them on. Anyone know what pins control the leds?
Thanks

Based on my experiment. The LEDs stay lid when power is applied and without connecting the 8 pin signal wires. I believe this will meet your requirements.

T