Motor cut out, possibly due to load

G

Graveling

Member
Like every man and his dog I'm building my own quadcopter. To get the basics running I'm using a piece of code I got from an instructables page: http://www.instructables.com/id/ESC-Programming-on-Arduino-Hobbyking-ESC/
All I've really done is quadruple the send to motor bit.
As a power supply I'm using a car battery so I dont believe it is a power issue, however I'm having some randomish motor shutdowns.
For example. I'll arm the motors and that works fine. Then I'll dump 1000 to them. They spin perfectly for as long as I need. However when I put some small props on them, 6" on each, one motor will slow and stop after about 10 seconds. If I up the speed to lets say 1500, a second motor will do the same...
I'm assuming its due to load on the motors. They are 2300kva and I'm using 30A ESC on each.
Now, taking into consideration I'm a complete newbie at this, wtf am I doing wrong? Is there a mismatch between ESC and motor? Do I need larger motors (and if so, can you recommend some).
Just a little miffed at the moment because this has taken 9 months to build in my spare time and I thought I was ready to get it to at least leave the ground.
Any (pleasant) advice really appreciated...
 
G

Graveling

Member
Thats probably the best hint anyone could have given me :)

I remembered I had some SLAs out the back, powered it up. Had the same issue but it lasted much longer before the motors powered down so I can conclude that indeed, it is not a car.

Thanks mate, I owe you a beer :)
 
Wildwelder

Wildwelder

Well-Known Member
Ok you have 30amp esc's. How many amps/ volts is that freaking car battery putting out??( damaging levels Id suspect). You need a proper battery for starters; thats what Renov8r was alluding to. How hot are these parts getting? What PDB? FC?. Without the proper info theres no way in hell we can help you.
 
G

Graveling

Member
Ok, thanks.

I've got it sorted. It was the battery after all. Connected a decent rc battery and everything went very well.

Battery tech isnt my thing (I'm an astrophysicist).

Thanks very much for the help, you helped me track down the issue. REALLY appreciated.
 
G

Graveling

Member
Honestly, nothing fishy, just completely new to this type of power consumption.

I usually deal with ultra rapid rotators (stars), not really fast spinning motors. :)
 
G

Graveling

Member
Yep, got it in one. Unfortunately due to lightning strike taking out infrastructure in the last half hour I have to shelve this project for an unknown period of time.
I sincerely thank you all for your help. I really appreciate it.
 
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