Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Vernon Barry on July 18, 2012 at 7:55pm

On the esc there are unused spots by the power lead, can I solder the signal wire to one of the others?

In short, no, those are not the right locations don't even think about it. Those pads will not work!

You might be out of luck. The problem here is that it looks like that goes to a through hole via path so tracing the exact pin on the controller is dificult, and further, hard as hell to solder unless you are really good and have the right equipment, and then further, how to make sure it doesn't short or break free in flight? A nightmare at best and likely to be the cause of your next crash if you ever got it to work.

FYI here is a picture of the same board. RC Timer.com sells the EXACT same esc for a little cheaper than 3DR. I know because I have both and flashed both with SimonK firmware. The purpose of the pins labeled below is to connect to a programmer for flashing the firmware. I do not think schematics exist on the web for that board, and again, it likely ends up at the microcontroller, but nearly impossible to solder a single wire to that pin and not short out. Then the next problem is vibration and strain relief.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rick on July 18, 2012 at 8:54pm

That's what I figured, I just didn't find a schematic. I think I read your post about flashing  esc's, it does sound interesting. I went to the link that took me to rcgroups forum. I just received my quad from DIYdrones and haven't had a chance to fly it yet to see how the esc's perform, just waiting for a reply from DIYdrones store for them to send me another.

thanks for the reply,

Rick

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jake Stew on July 18, 2012 at 10:43pm

If you can trace the trace from the pad to the next nearest point then just solder to whatever component is there.  Then epoxy coat the connection.

If you can't see where the signal is coming from you can probably thread a thin wire into the hole, then probe around with a meter to see where you can tap the signal.  You could also try this on a functioning one.

• ▶ Reply