Flying FPV drones is thrilling, but tuning them for ultimate performance can elevate the experience to a whole new level. In this article, I’ll share my best AM32 ESC settings and explain what each setting does to help you understand their impact on your FPV drone’s flight performance.
Looking for new ESC? Check out my recommendations: https://oscarliang.com/esc/#ESC-Recommendations
Table of Contents
How to Change AM32 Settings
The AM32 Configurator is an online tool you’ll use to flash, update, and configure your AM32 ESCs. No download or installation is required. Just visit: https://am32.ca/
If you are new to AM32, check out my guide on how to update and configure AM32 ESC: https://oscarliang.com/flash-update-am32-esc/
My AM32 Settings
- Protocol: Auto
- Enable:
- Stuck rotor protection
- Variable PWM
- Complementary PWM
- Timing Advanced: 15°
- Motor KV: Match your actual motor
- Motor Poles: Match your actual motor
- PWM Frequency: 24kHz – 48kHz
Essentials
Protocol
BLHeli detects ESC protocol automatically from the flight controller upon connection. AM32 works the same way, however, you have the options to manually select an ESC protocol you intent to use in AM32.
The ability to manually set the ESC protocol in AM32 can be useful. Yes, it’s convenient to leave it on “Auto” so the ESC can pick up any protocol and work, but you can also set a specific protocol in AM32, which ensures it will only work with that chosen protocol. But why is this useful?
The great thing about this is that it reduces the possibility of accidental motor spool-ups, which can result from the ESC misconnecting to the flight controller and picking up the wrong protocol. This feature means you can manually set the exact protocol you want each ESC to use, providing additional safety.
Reverse Rotation
This setting reverses the motor’s direction. You can achieve the same result by swapping two of the three motor wires or through Betaflight settings.
3D Mode
Used for 3D flying, this mode allows the motors to switch between normal and reverse rotation during flight, enabling the drone to fly upside down like an RC helicopter. The throttle range is divided between normal and reverse, with the center stick position being neutral. For more info: https://oscarliang.com/3d-inverted-flying-quadcopter/
Motor Settings
Stuck Rotor Protection
This feature is designed for FPV drones (multirotors). It detects when a motor is stuck, such as when it’s caught on a branch, and stops driving the motor to prevent damage. Ensure this is enabled to protect your motors.
Stall Protection
Stall protection is primarily for RC crawlers. It’s best to leave this disabled for drones as it increases throttle if the motor slows down, which can lead to motor overheating.
Use Hall Sensor
Disable this for quads. It’s not currently used due to a lack of hall sensor-capable targets.
Variable PWM
This setting adjusts the PWM frequency based on the motor’s RPM to avoid PWM frequency/commutation frequency interference. It is recommended to have this enabled for smooth throttle response.
Complementary PWM
Complementary PWM acts as a brake to decelerate the motor more quickly when the throttle is lowered. This is crucial for the responsiveness of FPV drones as it helps change motor RPM more quickly. Enable this for better flight performance.
Timing Advance
Timing advance (a.k.a. motor timing) determines when the ESC fires the coil relative to the motor magnet’s position.
- 0° Timing: Coil fires when the magnet is directly opposite the coil. This offers better performance but risks desyncs.
- Positive Timing (Timing Advance): Coil fires slightly before the magnet is directly opposite the coil, helping build the magnetic field strength in the coil.
A setting of 15 degrees generally provides the best balance between power, responsiveness, reliability, and efficiency for a wide range of drones.
Startup Power
Startup Power only affects the first few commutations when the motor starts from a stop, and it doesn’t impact performance once the motor is spinning. Setting this to 100% is recommended.
Motor KV
Set the Motor KV to match the KV of your motors.
Throttle is restricted based on the entered KV value. Setting this value too high imits the maximum throttle applied to the motor, so your motor will have less power. If you set it too low, it doesn’t necessarily impact motor performance, but could lead to excessive current draw and motor overheating. If you are not sure about the exact motor KV, choose a slightly lower value to ensure optimal performance.
Motor Poles
Set the motor poles correctly (typically 14 poles for 5-7 inch motors and 12 poles for micro quad motors) to ensure accurate RPM readings and optimal performance. If unsure, count the magnets on the motor bell—each magnet is one pole.
Beeper Volume
This adjusts how loud the motor beeps with the DShot Beacon.
PWM Frequency
PWM frequency refers to how fast the FETs in the ESC switch on and off to drive the motor.
The PWM frequency can be adjusted from 8kHz-16kHz up to 48kHz-96kHz, with the default value being 24kHz-48kHz.
Higher PWM frequencies might feel smoother and improve efficiency in some cases, but may reduce motor braking, leading to less responsiveness and propwash handling.
A setting of 24kHz-48kHz offers the best balance in performance. Avoid settings as low as 8kHz-16kHz to prevent excessive current draw and potential damage.
Limits
Low Voltage Cutoff
This feature is generally not recommended for multirotors, as it can cause the model to fall from the sky if the ESC shuts off due to low voltage. It’s better for the pilot to monitor voltage inside the goggles and manually land the drone before reaching critically low levels.
Temperature and Current Limits
While these can provide additional protection for the ESC, I personally disable them on my FPV drones to avoid sudden power loss mid-flight. What works for me doesn’t necessary apply to you, so you should decide whether to enable these protections based on your circumstances. For wings, setting a temperature limit (e.g., 140°C) can help prevent damage due to overheating, as you might still be able to glide and land safely. For quads, sudden power loss can be problematic especially when flying over water or challenging terrain.
Sinusoidal Startup
This setting allows the motor to start at very low RPMs using open-loop commutation. It’s useful for crawlers but unnecessary for drones, so it can be disabled.
Brake
Brake on Stop
This setting applies braking force when the motor is stopped, useful for crawlers vehicles if you want the car to creep down a hill, or wings with folding props. For multi-rotor drones, it is not beneficial and should be disabled.
Running Brake Level
The force used to brake the motor when it is still spinning. Useful to reduce this if using large propellers and you do not want to stress the motor. Also useful in rock crawlers to avoid performing endos. Leave it at default for FPV drones.
Servo Settings
These settings are only relevant for those feeding the ESC with analog signals such as PWM, Oneshot, and Multishot. They are not relevant when using DShot.
Conclusion
Configuring your AM32 ESC with the optimal settings can significantly enhance your FPV drone’s performance. By understanding and adjusting these settings, you ensure that your drone is not only responsive and powerful but also protected against potential damage. Happy flying!
1 comment
Oscar,
You are the MAN!!! Thank you so much, Bro, for doing this. I like many of us just started switching to AM32 and I am having desyncs. Your article for the best BLHeli-32 settings helped me there, but I was lost with the new AM32. Thanks for always being ahead of the game.