Arduino PWM signal generation for ESC/motorpod control

[pious_greek]

This is relatively mundane, but might assist somebody in their tinkering or motor balancing/testing.

I prefer the Hi-Tec Servo Tester but here's a quick and dirty way I was able to generate a PWM signal to spin up the motorpods with an arduino...

//This is kind of buggy, but works in a pinch
//better to use potentiometer and code here
//https://dronesandrovs.wordpress.com/2012/11/24/how-to-control-a-brushless-motor-esc-with-arduino/


#include <Servo.h>
 
Servo esc;
void setup()
{
esc.attach(2);     //Attach to a PWM signal pin, for example pin 2 on Mega
}
 
void loop()
{
int throttle = 0;  //for solo motor pod, approximately 292 to 485
throttle = map(throttle, 0, 1023, 0, 179);
//if you're not using a potentiometer, there's no need to map this, just pick more appropriate throttle values
esc.write(throttle);
}

Code was butchered from How to control a brushless motor through a ESC with Arduino

 

[dml931]

Cool post.

Or if you have a laptop with wifi, use mission planner.

 

[pious_greek]

Every tool has its place and its own limitations, but that's a good one as well.

 

[dml931]

Not hating on your idea, not everyone has a laptop with wifi, and last I checked, arduino's are much cheaper than laptops!

 

[User Name]

Very cool, never occurred to me to use an Arduino. The ability to use a pot to control the speed is great. Will definitely be using this to balance motor pods from now on.

Thanks!