We run into reports of calibration issues, Programming issues, or Steering Works, but Throttle does not work.
Often nothing in/with the ESC actually causes the problem. This is fairly common and ties to reports of a Speed Control that "Blink" and won't respond, or get "stuck" in the process, won't start the process or seem to complete the process, but do not work after.
If the ESC lights up and functions, it's about 99.99% the ESC is okay and should calibrate with a correctly working "Throttle Channel".
We understand your radio functions, but checking the throttle channel is okay is the next step.
A radio system can look to work, but have a dead throttle channel, or a throttle channel that has abnormal outputs.
- Please see the testing below, and reply to this email with a confirmation as to the outcome of your test.
When you connect the Servo, into the Throttle Channel, and Operate the Throttle on the Radio, "Does the servo Move"?
This test is assuming that you turn on the vehicle now and can operate the Steering, and the Servo responds correctly.
How to confirm that RX throttle is operational.
- Plug a servo into the Throttle Channel.
- Plug the ESC into the "Battery Slot" or the "Bind Slot" on the RX.
Turn it on, and move the throttle on the radio.
- If the servo does not move, you have discovered the problem.
The 'Servo test' in the throttle, lets you "see" how far the servo moves when you move the Throttle and Reverse.
- The idea is that it should move the same amount both directions. Often, it does not. This can make the ESC get stuck or not calibrate. The radios settings need to be reviewed so that the Brake/Reverse side is the same as the throttle.
In many problem situations, the throttle does not work at all, or the neutral is way off, or the brake side does not operate correctly. This test helps confirm that your throttle/neutral/Brake/Rev on your radio system is working or not working. If it is not working, the ESC will also not work.
It is important to check your radios "Frame Rate" settings. Some "racing" radio systems, have a frame rate, or "Modes" that operate faster than normal for usage with digital servos. This mode, or "Super fast frame rate" often will make the ESC not able to calibrate, or work strange after calibration. Similar topics happen with various "Brake" and "Throttle" modes from radios. It is always worth checking these specialized settings if you run into any calibration problems.
We receive cases of ESC's that "Do not work", or "Will not calibrate", or, "Will not start calibration" or "gets stuck" in calibration, "works but not correctly", however upon testing by our tech's, they work completely fine. They calibrate and function as they should, beyond units with the physical damage of some sort.
Additionally, we have found replacing these ESCs, "Just in case" yields no fix to the problem.
Now the builders have now spent time and energy to find the problem was not at all related to the ESC. This is of course extremely frustrating and many point to "all" of the ESC's being bad. This is not the case. Never hurts to clarify what you've done to confirm the rest of the items in your build are working correctly, and help pinpoint topics to check specifically.
Finally, some high-end racing radios, have a very fast "Frame rate" settings for their channels. Often these do not allow the ESC to see the signals from the radio. If your radio controller, has ultra-fast frame rate settings, putting those on "normal" should get things working again.
Here is a video doing the Basic Servo Test:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWCgbxWIp24
Here is a video doing the calibration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRYwr14FwjE
HOBBYWING
North America Customer Support Center
Innovation Powered by Passion
Comments
6 comments
XD10's don't have two buttons nor do they make audible sounds. Why post a video link useless to most ESC's? 🤦‍♂️
Xerun Xr8 SCT , throttle stopped workiing out of the blue.   Battery is good, steeriing works,   I did the servo throttle channel 2 test through radio/rx  works perfect.   Could It be the motor?  Â
Yes thanks it worked
I have a spectrum slt3 when i switch from to 50 to 75 or 100 the esc freaks out and the car shout off at full throttle with no input from me when I turn it off and back on it flashing red and not moving so i change remote and re calibration and now i am good
Very good article, it actually helped me solve the problem. I had the servo working but not the throttle, and the ESC LED was flashing red fast. Tried everything but it was actually a defect with the receiver on channel 2. I replaced it with new receiver and it worked. Thanks
Ran the test, servo works, but still no throttle or reverse. Just a flashing yellow (red/green) light forever how long I press the throttle. I changed motors, sensor wires, recalibrated and still nothing. Anyone have some input on where to look at next?Â
@HannandarynÂ
Please send us an email at northamerica@hobbywing.com with what ESC you have and we can try to help trouble shoot further.Â
If you are getting a red and green flashing with anything that has a “set” button on the power switch check that the set button is not “stuck” as usually a flashing red and green would indicate a “factory reset” by holding the set button after the ESC is powered on.Â
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