ESC Configuration

The Workbench

Setting up your ESC correctly is essential to help ensure safe operation of your new motor and to get the best possible performance from your setup.

STEP 1 - Mounting your motor

STEP 2 - ESC Configuration

STEP 3 - First Flights & Tuning

STEP 2 - ESC Configuration

Setting up your ESC correctly is essential to help ensure safe operation of your new motor and to get the best possible performance from your setup.

Firmware Update and Calibration

After installing your motor in the aircraft, it is time to set up your ESC. Please update your speed controller, and any other relevant components, to the latest stable firmware.

We also recommend performing a full reset and recalibration of your ESC, including the governor if applicable. This helps prevent previously stored values from affecting your new setup.

Setting the number of poles

You can find the exact configuration of each motor on its respective product page in our store.

For the majority of our hobby motors, including all Tengu and Scale Collection models, this is shown as 12N10P, meaning the motor has 12 stator arms/slots (N) and 10 rotor poles/magnets (P).

Please note:
Some ESCs require the number of pole pairs instead of the total number of poles. In this case, you would enter 5 pole pairs for a 10-pole motor.

Setting motor timing

While we usually have a good idea of which timing settings work best for individual setups, it is important to understand that the ideal motor timing is not a fixed motor specification that we can simply list as the manufacturer.

The correct timing depends on your setup, components, application, and flying style, and may require some testing to find the best result.

For the majority of our motors, our recommendation is:

Start with a medium-low timing setting of around 8–9 degrees.

Auto Timing: Many modern ESCs offer an automatic timing option, and in many cases this works well. Nevertheless, we recommend comparing the result with manual timing settings if your ESC provides this option.

What motor timing actually does:
The motor timing/advance setting in your ESC determines how early the motor phases are powered in relation to the rotor’s position.

A simplified way to think about this is the ignition timing of an internal combustion engine: the fuel mixture is ignited slightly before the piston reaches the top of its stroke, because the combustion process takes a moment to build pressure.

In a brushless motor, the ESC also needs to “aim ahead” slightly, because the rotor is already moving by the time the magnetic field builds up and does its work.

If the timing is too high, the motor may run less efficiently and temperatures can increase. If the timing is too low, the motor may feel weak, run rough, or simply not deliver what you know it should.

Check PWM frequency

If your ESC allows manual PWM frequency adjustment, please check this setting and choose the highest PWM frequency your ESC can sustain without overheating.

On older ESCs, this setting may still be set to a very low value, which can cause all sorts of strange behavior. As a general recommendation, we suggest using a PWM frequency of at least 8 kHz.

Checking direction & spoolup

A first direction check ican be done without blades attached. This is perfectly fine, but the test should only be used to confirm the motor direction and to check that the spool-up behavior is smooth and as expected.

Important:
Never run the motor on the bench without blades attached at more than 30% throttle, and only for a few seconds at most.

Previous: Mounting your motor

Next: First Flights & Tuning

STEP 1 Mounting your motor Everything you need to know in order to safely install your new motor to your aircraft.

STEP 2 ESC Configuration Once your motor is installed, it is important to set it up correctly in your speed controller (esc).

STEP 3 First Flights & Tuning Once you successfully maidened your aircraft, you can try to fine-tune your settings .