Motors running inconsistently

[emansfield]

I have an F4 V3 flight controller with Betaflight firmware. Using the Betaflight configuration tool I have set it up and tested the motors using the motor test page in the configuration tool. In this mode the motors all respond correctly and consistently, even with all 4 motors running simultaneously at fairly high revs. When I use the radio transmitter controls to simulate a straight vertical lift-off (no propellers installed) the motors behave very erratically, running at different speeds and even one or more stopping after an initial burst. The fact that the motors all run smoothly and consistently in motor test mode would seem to preclude any faulty wiring or ESC.

Does anyone have any ideas about whys this might be?

 

[wafflejock]

With props off this is mostly expected behavior even just sitting on the bench using betaflight to control the motor they can seem to "run away" if it is trying to keep level but has no control authority (and is getting vibrations from the motors spinning and frame vibrating on the table). I would put props on it and keep it at a safe distance and do the testing where you only use the right stick to tip the quad left right forward back (slightly/slowly to not scrape the props), if that works as intended then can give it a little throttle with the left stick to see if it gets off the ground (again slowly, be ready to disarm during any testing).

 

[emansfield]

With props off this is mostly expected behavior even just sitting on the bench using betaflight to control the motor they can seem to "run away" if it is trying to keep level but has no control authority (and is getting vibrations from the motors spinning and frame vibrating on the table). I would put props on it and keep it at a safe distance and do the testing where you only use the right stick to tip the quad left right forward back (slightly/slowly to not scrape the props), if that works as intended then can give it a little throttle with the left stick to see if it gets off the ground (again slowly, be ready to disarm during any testing).

Thanks for your response. That is reassuring, although I haven't yet had a chance to try what you suggest. I don't have any large indoor space where I would be comfortable doing what you suggest, so I'm waiting for a dry day to try it outside.