How to tell if you're motor pod's are failing??

[Projeffrey11]

What are some sign's that you're motor pod's may be failing?

 

[Rich]

i think there are many ways these motors can fail.

With electrical issues, which will be hard to detect, you may be able to 'smell' a burnt smell if you get close to the pod.

With mechanical issues, you may feel grit or roughness when trying to spin the motors. There can be a bit of a magnetic bump feel as you turn the motor, this is normal. You should spin the motor by hand and notice if it feels different than the others.

Anything that feels gritty or not smooth can be suspect. Also if there is extra shaft up/down or side to side play, this may not be a good sign.

If you operate in an area where sand or fine road dust or grit can get blown into your motors, you could wear them out. Or the magnets could attract fine iron oxide and cause issues.

Flying from a dusty, sandy street or a beach could cause issues like this.

You may also notice that one motor feels hotter than the others, check after each flight. They should all feel about the same temperature, possibly warm, but not so hot that you can't keep your finger on it.

There may be some info in the logs that can help to point a finger, but I'm not sure off the top of my head.

If others have other suggestions, I'm sure they will chime in.

 

[ChrisM101]

What are some sign's that you're motor pod's may be failing?

Or if its suddenly upside down and falling to the ground for no reason

 

[Tapn2me]

Is anyone familiar with one of the motor pods not having that magnetic tension feel to it? It just feels loose it will spin very smooth, not grinding but there's no magnetic tension.

 

[RichWest]

What are some sign's that you're motor pod's may be failing?

The data logs will be a good reference to Amps and RPM of the motor(s). I haven't detailed the info as of yet for motor or motorS, but 3DR had referenced these two items from the logs provided for an issue I've had.

 

[mecummings.cr]

Anybody had any success identifying a failing motor pod reading tlog files in Mission Planner? My new Solo was having difficulty today holding position and one corner was oscillating up and down as if the motor pod was losing power and the flight controller was trying to compensate. I can post my tlog file if that helps but was looking at how to understand the output in Mission Planner. Thanks, -Mike

 

[Greg Parker]

At one point my Solo started to fly erratically at moments. One corner would dip and then straighten out. Sometimes once in 10 minute flight, sometimes 3 times in a minute. I got concerned enough to check pods and found one that seemed hotter and noisier. After replacing it with a spare things returned to normal.

So if you have unexplained twitches, look for a pod going out.

 

[Zee Three]

I have a new one and it makes a whistling sound when it flies. Or is that what you call a scream? I will try to get it on video next flight.