Pixhawk with emax Simon series esc

[Tim2100]

I am rebuilding a 550 hex with a Pixhawk flight controller running 3.2.1 firmware.
However the 20a Simon series esc don';t seem to power on.  Do I need to change the timings on the esc to get them to be turned on by the Pixhawk?

[james]

They should Just Work. Have you done the ESC calibration? Assuming APM: http://copter.ardupilot.com/wiki/initial-setup/esc-motor/

[Tim2100]

Correct they should just work.

When I power on the Pixhawk the esc do not make a noise, so it is waiting for the Pixhawk to output a pwm signal to start the esc.

Looking on banggood website it now says that emax Simon series are not compatible with the Pixhawk. :-(

To me it appears that the esc times out whilst waiting for a pwm signal. So either I delay power going to the esc, or get the Pixhawk to give a signal (however small) to the  esc.

[james]

Are you hitting the safety button as soon as it';s on? I found just getting that button pushed as soon as possible did the trick on my (non-SimonK) ESCs. Failing that you can disable the safety switch in software, iirc; set BRD_SAFETYENABLE to 0 (and back to 1 again as soon as you';ve done the calibration). This should mean that the Pixhawk won';t wait for the safety to send a PWM signal to the motors.

[Tim2100]

Excellent James I will do that.

[Tim2100]

Bugger that didn';t work.  Despite pressing the button immediately or turning off the safety switch it still won';t turn on the esc.

I think I need to set a pwm_minimum value in the start-up

[arhey]

Bugger that didn';t work.  Despite pressing the button immediately or turning off the safety switch it still won';t turn on the esc.

I think I need to set a pwm_minimum value in the start-up

Hi! I have exactly the same problem with the ESC EMAX 20A. And as I understood from other forums, Emax acknowledged a mistake in their firmware. Do you get something?

[Tim2100]

Nope nothing yet

[pheasant_plucker]

Even though some say you shouldn';t I have always had to calibrate my SimonK ESC';s I get from RCtimer or they will not start.

Gerry

[Tim2100]

I have calibrated them many times, but nothing will go through the esc from the Pixhawk. I can use another esc and its fine