ESC Calibration

First, make sure that the correct ESC protocol has been setup. Find your ESC(s) type under ESCs and Motors, and follow its configuration information.

Vehicles using a traditional PWM controlled ESC (electronic speed controller) for motor output will likely need to be calibrated. If you are using a digital esc protocol like DShot or are using CAN ESCs then you don’t need to calibrate them.

Warning

Remove the propeller from Planes before starting ESC calibration!

Calibrating an ESC involves teaching the ESC what range of throttle inputs it should respond to. It needs to know what PWM value on the throttle channel corresponds with the commanding the motor to be off, and what PWM value corresponds with full throttle. These values are stored inside the ESC.

Note

You should not try to calibrate your ESC until you have completed both your RC inputs calibration and your servo setup. Mission Planner’s motor calibration does not work on traditional planes.

Typical ESC Calibration

The most common type of ESC calibration for small electric aircraft is the max-throttle/min-throttle method.

To perform this type of calibration you will need to be able to control power to your motor separately from power to the autopilot. If you don’t have separate power, then you can temporarily power your autopilot from a USB cable for the purposes of this calibration.

The steps for calibration are:

  • start with the autopilot powered, but with the ESC unpowered and propeller, if a Plane, removed

  • switch to MANUAL flight/control mode

  • disable the safety switch (if fitted) and arm the vehicle

  • move the throttle stick on your transmitter to maximum

  • add power to the ESC

At this stage the ESC/motor should beep to indicate that it is in ESC calibration mode. Typically it will be 2 or 3 quick beeps, but the motor won’t turn.

  • now lower the throttle stick rapidly to zero

  • the ESC should beep to indicate it has accepted the new calibration range

  • now slowly raise the throttle and check that the motor responds correctly

Alternative ESC Calibration

If the typical ESC calibration method above doesn’t work, instead adjust the SERVOx_MIN and SERVOx_MAX values on the appropriate servo channel (SERVOx) you had set as the Throttle channel in ref:servo setup <servo-functions> to match the existing range of your ESC.

To use this method slowly raise the SERVOx_MIN value until it is set to a value just below the point that the motor comes on. A value about 20 PWM points below the point where the motor starts turning is usually a good choice.

Next move the transmitter stick to full throttle and adjust SERVOx_MAX until maximum RPM is reached. You can use a tachometer, or just use the sound of the motor as a guide.

Reversing PWM based ESCs

If you are using a reversing ESC for reverse thrust ( see Automatic Landing section on Reverse Thrust Landing ), and its PWM based rather than CAN, OneShot, or DShot, then you may need to calibrate it. Usually, a button is provided for setting full forward, neutral, and full reverse. In this case, you will need to setup an RCx_OPTION on an RC channel to allow setting full reverse manually. Follow the manufacturers instructions for calibration.

Brushed Motor ESCS

Most brushed motor ESCs have a fixed calibration which will require manually setting the throttle output’s SERVOx_MAX, and SERVOx_MIN parameters to match the ESCs maximum points. SERVOx_TRIM would be set so that the motor is stopped, if using a reversing ESC.

Other ESC Protocols

New ESC’s using protocols other than PWM often do not require calibration. Some examples include CAN and DShot. The digital signals replace the need for PWM calibration and are usually pre-set to a range of 1000us to 2000us.