ESC Problem?

[Rolex]

I'm pretty new to brushless systems, so I'll need some help here.
I just finished a total rebuild on a heli. Lipo and brushless motor are stock, ESC is brand new, but the stock replacement.
I'm unable to get a smooth start. It can't be programmed since it's only a forward throttle control. I changed out the receiver to a 6 ch heli computer radio I already had.
I have to bring the throttle almost up to 1/3 before it starts, and then I can back it down to a lower RPM.
While setting the pitch, balance and tracking of the blades, I started to throttle up and it lurched into a sudden high RPM, tipping over, wrecking a brand new set of blades and destroying the antenna on my radio.

Any idea what's wrong? Is it a defective ESC?

 

[beason]

is the motor a sensored or non sensored? i dont know a lot about them but i would say the motor is going crazy. since the esc is brand new.

why did the esc get replaced in the first place?

 

[Rolex]

The day I got it, I was going though the checks to see what it needed. At one point, I plugged it in to the battery without having the radio on. ALL the servos went to maximum throw and the ESC lit up light a light bulb.
I don't know anything about sensored or unsensored, all I know is this is the controller listed on the site for that model heli, even though the other one had an extra component in the line to the battery.
It might be built into the new unit, but that's a guess.

 

[sweetdiesel]

I've never seen a sensored esc on a heli, so most likely it's unsensored.

What model is the ESC? What model is the receiver?

 

[Rolex]

The receiver is from my JR air/heli radio, XP652. It's set up for helis.
6 channel computer radio with mixing for Cyclic/collective pitch mixing.
The speed control is from ESky, and is the 25A ESC for brushless motors. EK1-0350. The Heli is the ESky Belt CP.

I've just been through all my settings, and there's no reason it should behave like this.

 

[sweetdiesel]

Try re-initializing the ESC with the throttle stick all the way down.

http://www.rcdiscuss.com/index.php?topic=648.0


If that doesn't work, try hooking up the brushless motor from your boat and see if it acts the same way. You'll need to load the motor with something like a propeller.

 

[Rolex]

Everything was set up correctly. Everything on the heli, including the gyro, is working as it should be except for low throttle.
If ANYTHING in the circuit is incorrect, you will get constant beeps. When it correct, and the power is turned on, you get 3 tones and it is ready to fly. I'm getting the correct tones, but I have to keep adding throttle till it starts suddenly at a high RPM, then lower the throttle. Not good.

EDIT:

This is a fairly small outrunner motor with thin leads. The boat motor is huge with large bullet connectors. I don't know if this ESC could handle it.

 

[sweetdiesel]

That's what my cars do when they cog. Normally I can dial it out by adjusting the startup power or neutral range. I tried to find a manual for the Esky ESC but no luck. :\

I still think you should try another motor and see if that is the issue. You won't be drawing more than a few amps with a small propeller.

 

[Rolex]

Okay, I'll give it a try. Thanks for your expertise. I'll get back to this tomorrow.

EDIT:

I have no idea how to adjust the start up power on this. I have an ESky manual, but it's no help. Settings on the radio don't change when it powers up.
There are no buttons or settings on the ESC. It plug and play.

I just checked it. It will start to turn the big motor at the first touch of throttle....so slow I can almost count the revolutions by eye.
Bad motor?

 

[sweetdiesel]

I just checked it. It will start to turn the big motor at the first touch of throttle....so slow I can almost count the revolutions by eye.
Bad motor?

That is exactly how the motor should run, the slightest throttle input should start the motor turning.

The only other thing I can think of is there is some binding somewhere that is not letting the motor turn until it gets enough power. Being it's a heli, that's probably an unlikely scenario.

I would triple check all connections and solder joints. If those are good I'd say the motor is bad.

 

[x_doug_x]

make sure your motor wires were plugged into the correct places on the esc

 

[Rolex]

I have the motor out of it. There is no binding. All the connections are color coded, so there's no problem there.
With the motor out, and no load, it still does the same thing, but once it starts it runs VERY well. Throttle up or down is flawless, and it's a screamer, but it won't run or start at low RPM.
When I first connected it, it was at throttle off, and trim all the way down. There are no set buttons on it, and Chinese interpretations have gotten me nowhere.

 

[flm_savage]

i would say motor from what you have told us.

the bigger motor reacted like it should have, the little one should follow suit.

 

[Rolex]

Well, turns out that the big motor does the same thing. I clipped some alligator test leads on it rather than try to hold 3 leads by hand and I got the same effect I had with the smaller motor.
I've Emailed the company and they are sending me a new ESC, no charge, no shipping. I asked if they wanted me to send the defective one back to them, and this is their reply:

Dear friend

You do NOT need send the defective back to me.
(If you ship it back, you will pay high back shipping fee for this ,I should not let you my friend lost more for this item.)

I will ship the new EK1-0350 to you today.

I will email you after shipping out.

Thank you for your patience.

Best regards,

helibuy.com

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Might be hard to understand, but that's some stellar customer support!
I'll be doing future business with them, for sure.