AM32 ESC Firmware - Recommended Settings for Hobbywing 4in1 XRotor type ESCs By Joe (JDRotor).

If you are switching to AM32 ESC firmware due to the departure of BLHeli32 from our hobby, you will come to realize there is a new firmware Configurator for AM32 and that some features and values are a bit different than BLHELi32.   A few of us have spent time in the past few months testing different settings in AM32 to be sure the firmware functioned as needed on the Hobbywing XRotor ESCs.  Below are some basic settings we used on 5” quads running 1750 to 2020kv motors.  We are presenting these settings only as a sharing of information as to what worked well for our quads.   Understand that our testing was very limited to a few motor brands in the KV range mentioned.   We did not test larger (i.e. 2808) motors or smaller Whoop motors.    As with all quad testing, extreme caution is advised on first flights – we recommend to preliminarily test motors without props to assure motor directions are correct and check for a “fly-away” condition.    Also be sure to check motor heating within 1 minute of your early test flights – if motors are too hot quit testing and check the setup!    A bad setup can burn up motors and/or damage the ESC.

First thing you need is an AM32 Configurator, there are at least 2; one Offline version and one Online only version.   The Online version is more current and has all the up-to-date features.   I recommend using it as your preferred configurator.    You can locate and open the configurator here: https://am32.ca/     Save the link in your Bookmarks for future access.

This configurator has a different look and function than that of the BLHELi configurator and I find it intuitive and simple to use.   Like the BLHEli configurator, you can conveniently connect your quad’s ESC to the AM32 configurator using the Betaflight USB bypass method.  First step is to remove all props!  Once you open the AM32 Configurator, plug-in a USB cable from your quad to your computer: press “Port Select” (the first time you may need to “Select a device” and once the Port is detected, Press “Connect”.   After the ESC is connected, two additional buttons ([READ] and [SAVE]) will pop up as well as 4 circles labeled 1,2,3,4 indicating the ESCs are connected and the firmware is recognized to be “Read”.   You now need to power up your ESC by plugging in a battery into the quad and press the [READ] button.   The full configurator settings interface should pop up. 

See below for an example of the user interface. 

AM32 Configurator requests additional information about your set up that was not previously required by BLHEli.   I am not entirely sure how critical these settings are but if asked “why not” just supply the information:

1. Protocol: Select Dshot or whatever you are using
2. Motor KV: Uses the slider to adjust to the closest KV value for your motors 

[Note: Once a slider is selected you can use the arrow keys to fine tune the values of any slider]

3. Be sure your Motor Poles number is correct – (Be advised this is the number of magnets on the bell of the motor and not the number of motor coils.)   The same value you used in Betaflight.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Motor settings: “Check” the following feature box

1. Stuck Motor Protection – Default setting
2. Complementary PWM – Default setting
3. Auto timing advance (But also successfully tested 15 and 22.5 degrees)
4. PWM Type - byRPM:  (This feature has been improved from BLHELi and significantly improves motors from overheating due to electrical noise.   I strongly recommend this be selected.  I’ve reviewed conclusive empirical data that validates the reduction of motor / PWM errors that causes excess motor heating due to low frequency noise hitting the gyro.  Which in turn causes unnecessary PID loop activity inresponse.

2. The rest of the Sliders can be left at default settings or changed to your liking – we left at default for our testing.
3. The 4 boxes at the top are the Motor specific settings, e.g. Motor spin direction, 3D mode and the Firmware flashed.   If the motor direction needs to be “Reversed” check the box, but this can also be changed in the Betaflight Configurator Motor Direction Wizard in the Motors Tab.
4. The last recommendation is to be sure you flash the latest AM32 released FW.   As of this writing the latest version is v2.18.   If the ESC is not at the latest release level, then reflash it.  

[For the XRotor 4in1 ESC use the target “AM32_XROTOR45_F421_2.18.hex” for the 45amp and the target “AM32_XROTOR65_F421_2.18.hex” for the 65amp version.]

Note: The Configurator will automatically save all your settings when you reflash, so you can easily update the firmware and not need to back up your settings every time you update FW.

EXAMPLE OF THE AM32 CONFIGURATOR INTERFACE