esc - dtex/johnny-five GitHub Wiki

The ESC class constructs objects that represent a single ESC attached to the physical board. ESC objects are similar to Servo objects as they both use PWM pins to communicate with the physical ESC. Currently, this class assumes the ESC is pre-calibrated.

If you are interested in working with multiple ESCs, see the ESCs page.

• pin A Number or String address for the ESC pin (PWM).

  var esc = new five.ESC(9);

• Options An object of property parameters.

  Property	Type	Value/ Description	Default	Required
  pin	Number, String	Any PWM Pin. The address of the PWM pin the ESC is attached to		yes
  range	Array	[ lower, upper ]. The range of speed in percent.	[0, 100]	no
  startAt	Number	Initial speed, 0-100%	0	no
  controller	String	DEFAULT, PCA9685. Controller interface type.	"DEFAULT"	no
  device	String	FORWARD, FORWARD_REVERSE. Device capability type.	"FORWARD"	no
  neutral	Number	Neutral point, 0-100.	0	no

• PCA9685 Options (controller: "PCA9685")

  Property	Type	Value/Description	Default	Required
  address	Number	I2C device address.	0x40	no

new five.ESC(9);

// Limited speed range to 0-80%
new five.ESC({
  pin: 9, 
  range: [ 0, 80 ]
});

new five.ESC({
  controller: "PCA9685",
  pin: 1
});

new five.ESC({
  pin: 9, 
  device: "FORWARD_REVERSE", 
  neutral: 50
});

Standard ESC

var five = require("johnny-five");
var board = new five.Board();

board.on("ready", function() {

  var esc = new five.ESC(11);

  // Set to top speed. (this can be physically dangerous, you've been warned.)
  esc.max();

});

• speed(value) Set the speed of the ESC, any fractional number value from 0...100 as a percentage value. If the specified speed is the same as the current speed, no commands are sent.

  var esc = new five.ESC(11);
  
  // Set the motor's speed to 50%
  esc.speed(50);

• min() Set ESC to minimum speed. Defaults to 0%, respects explicit range.

  var esc = new five.ESC(11);
  
  esc.min();

  Or

  var esc = new five.ESC({
    pin: 11, 
    range: [ 10, 100 ]
  });
  
  // Minimum speed at 10%
  esc.min();

• max() Set ESC to maximum speed. Defaults to 100%, respects specified range.

  var esc = new five.ESC(11);
  
  esc.max();

  Or

  var esc = new five.ESC({
    pin: 11, 
    range: [ 0, 80 ]
  });
  
  // Max at 80%
  esc.max();

• stop() Stop a moving esc.

  var esc = new five.ESC(12);
  
  esc.stop();

• Esc Keypress
• Esc Dualshock

This isn't a requirement, but if you experience issues with your ESCs, it might prove helpful

Load the following sketch onto your Arduino, via the Arduino IDE follow the instructions.

This requires that the ESC's power source is off or disconnected at the start of the calibration process. You will be prompted to turn on/reconnect the power during the process.

#include <Servo.h>

#define MAX_SIGNAL 2000
#define MIN_SIGNAL 700
#define MOTOR_PIN 12

Servo motor;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Serial.println("Program begin...");
  Serial.println("This program will calibrate the ESC.");

  motor.attach(MOTOR_PIN);

  Serial.println("Calibrating Maximum Signal");
  Serial.println("Turn on power source, then wait 2 seconds and press any key + <enter>");
  motor.writeMicroseconds(MAX_SIGNAL);

  // Wait for input
  while (!Serial.available());
  Serial.read();

  // Send min output
  Serial.println("Calibrating Minimum Signal");
  motor.writeMicroseconds(MIN_SIGNAL);

}

void loop() {  

}