■ Configuring the SEQURE 14130 ESC AM32 Firmware for Helicopters

[laodan]

       While searching for an ESC for a 600-class or larger helicopter, I found that the SEQURE 14130 (130A) ESC (Details)had great reviews regarding its cost-to-performance ratio. The following details the results of configuring the AM32 firmware parameters for helicopter use (as shown in the first picture). Since it offers excellent performance for its price, I highly recommend it.

       Because this ESC is originally designed for multicopters (drones) and crawlers, configuring it for a helicopter posed some difficulties. Initially, the indicator LED did not turn on even after applying power. Clicking inside the PC configuration program, <SerialPortConnector.exe>, successfully turned the LED ON (it seems a single motor must be designated for helicopter setups). If the LED still fails to light up, try changing the version of the configuration tool. For instance, using the newer Ver. 1.93 instead of Ver. 1.82, saving via AUTO, and then cycling the power (OFF then ON) will make the red LED illuminate. Once this happens, the ESC's MCU chip name will become visible at the bottom of the screen.

       In actual operation after configuration, you must always perform the throttle calibration process. When power is applied, the red LED turns on. Pushing the transmitter's throttle stick to the top position emits a signal tone; lowering it immediately to the lowest position changes the LED to green and plays another signal tone. This signals that the motor is armed and ready to spin. For reference, the parameter values shown inside the box in the picture—specifically motor timing and frequency—were chosen to minimize the high-pitched, high-frequency noise generated by the HF700 530KV motor (Details). While the noise could not be completely eliminated, these values kept it to an absolute minimum.

       Additionally, applying power causes a loud electrical spark and sound at the connector. Installing a high-capacity electrolytic capacitor (e.g., 1000μF or higher) at the ESC battery input terminals can prevent these voltage spikes.

AM32 parameters set 1

The second picture box contains areas where you can input battery low-voltage control parameters, as well as ESC temperature and current limits.

AM32 parameters set 2

☐ Reverse Rotation: Configures the motor rotation direction.

☑ Complementary PWM: Linked with other PWM variables and acts similarly to , making it unnecessary for helicopters.

☐ Bi-directional (fwd/rv): Unchecked, as helicopters only rotate in a single direction.

☑ Stuck Rotor Protection: A safety feature that cuts power if the motor is obstructed by debris (twigs, sand, etc.) during operation or after a crash. If the throttle is continuously applied while the motor cannot rotate, an instantaneous overcurrent can destroy the circuitry. This must always be enabled (checked) for drones.

☑ Stall Protection: Similar to but works inversely. It increases output power when the motor slows down (for Crawlers and RC Cars) and must be disabled (unchecked) for drones. On a helicopter, when a sudden pitch change during 3D flight momentarily spikes the motor load, the ESC detects this and reinforces the torque to prevent the motor from stalling (desync).

☐ 30ms Telemetry: There is a separate connection pad; check this option if your setup supports and utilizes this feature.

☐ Use Hall Sensors: This variable should (always) be unchecked (Disabled).

<Reason>

AM32 was initially developed with crawlers in mind. Most standard drone ESC hardware lacks the physical ports or circuitry required to connect Hall sensor signal wires. Enabling this option will cause the ESC to search for a signal it cannot receive, which may prevent the motor from spinning at all. Exercise caution.

<Physics Insight: What is a Hall Sensor?>

⚫A Hall Sensor is a non-contact sensor that detects a magnet's magnetic field and converts it into an electrical signal. Discovered in 1879 by physicist Edwin Hall, this phenomenon is known as the "Hall Effect." Inside a motor, it accurately detects the real-time position and rotational speed of the rotor's permanent magnets.

⚫Sensorless motors (lacking Hall sensors) determine position by reverse-calculating the Back-EMF (Electromotive Force) generated once the motor starts spinning. They are widely used in drones and high-speed RC aircraft. However, because there is no Back-EMF at zero RPM, they can suffer from a stuttering effect known as "cogging" during initial startup.

⚫Sensored motors feature three built-in Hall sensors. They track the exact position of the magnets in real time, even when completely stopped, allowing the motor to start up incredibly smoothly with powerful torque at ultra-low speeds. This makes them essential for RC crawlers, RC cars, and robotics.

☐ Disable Stick Calibration: Unnecessary to check, as throttle calibration is a mandatory process during the initial setup of the ESC.

☐ Sinusoidal Startup: A feature that smoothly starts the motor using a sine-wave pattern, which is generally unnecessary for helicopters. However, to mitigate the loud high-frequency screech of the HF700 530KV helicopter motor, I applied it over a short range for a smoother startup. This is also linked with .

☐ Auto Timing

☐ Variable PWM

☐ Auto PWM Frequency / By RPM: Interlinked with Variable PWM.

☐ Brake On Stop: Unchecked, as helicopters do not require a stopping brake.

☐ Active Brake On Stop: A feature designed to prevent crawlers from rolling backward; unnecessary for helicopters. Leave disabled (unchecked).

☐☐ Timing Advance: Input motor specification values; interlinked with Auto Timing.

☐☐ Motor KV: Input motor specification values.

☐☐ Motor Poles: Input motor specification values.

☐☐ Starting Power: Set to the minimum value for a smooth startup. If set too low, the motor will only emit a humming noise without spinning, or it may stutter.

☐☐ PWM Frequency: Interlinked with Variable PWM. Checking Variable PWM disables this individual setting.

☐☐ Beep Volume: Adjusts the volume of the motor signal tones.

☐☐ Sine Startup Range: Though unnecessary for helicopters, this parameter is locked and cannot be disabled; the motor will only run if is checked. Therefore, after checking that option, the was set to the absolute minimum (5 is the lowest value, resulting in very minimal sine-wave application during actual motor startup).

☐☐ Running Brake Level: Set to the minimum value since helicopters do not need a brake during flight. A value of 1 prevented the motor from running entirely, so it was set to 2.

☐☐ Throttle Range of Change, % per ms: 0.2 ~ 0.5

☐☐ Minimum Duty Cycle, Percent: 0.5

<⚫IMPORTANT TIP> for the using of <Flash>

    The arrow indicated in Figure 1 can be used when replacing the AM32 firmware with either EScape32 or Heli32 firmware. If you wish to replace AM32 with ESCape32, first upload the dedicated ESCape32 Bootloader file, INSTALL_BOOT_PB4-rev.bin (select this file and click <Flash Firmware> to perform the upload).

    Once successfully uploaded, the environment transitions to ESCape32; at this point, disconnect the battery, reconnect the power, and then upload the SEQURE2-rev16.bin file. For this step, a dedicated ESCape32 Wi-Fi Link(Detail1, Detail2) chip is utilized. This process runs wirelessly via a computer or smartphone over Wi-Fi, and once the upload is complete, the parameter configuration screen will appear. It is crucial to upload the exact and correct files to prevent the MCU from becoming bricked. In the event that the MCU does become bricked, it can be recovered using an ST-Link V2 USB tool(Detail1, Detail2) However, it is highly recommended to become thoroughly familiar with its operation before attempting to use it.

INSTALL_BOOT2_PB4-rev4.bin

5.91KB

SEQURE2-rev16.1.bin

26.95KB

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