Motortron MDRIVE-9A User manual

1
MDRIVE™-9ASensorlessBrushlessDC Motor
Controller User Manual
OVERVIEW
Unlike other brushless motor controllers, the newlydesigned MDRIVE ™ Series controllers
and ESC-ViewSoftware, released for the first time in Januaryof2006, provide you with a
number ofadvanced newfeatures making it more user friendlywith a greater range of
controls. You maynow…..
1. Select preset User Modes for simple, quick and error proofprogramming at the field.
2. Program the controller with ease using ESC-Viewand a Windows computer.
3. Analyze, test and compare motors with the precision tools provided.
4. Save motor testing data in a text file for reporting or charting.
5. Read radio transmitter min/maxpulse widths enabling precise control ofthe throttle.
CONTENTS
Controller Specifications + Programmable Features Page 2
Wire Connection and Installation Page 3
User Mode Page 4
Radio Throttle Programming Page 5
ESC ViewSoftware Page 6
Setup Page 8-10
Run Test Page 11-12
Advanced Settings Page 12-13
WarrantyPolicyPage 14
FAQ and Website Page 15-17

2
MDRIVE™ 9ACONTROLLER SPECIFICATIONS
Cells with BEC Connection 6-10 Nicd/NiMH or 2-3 Li-Poly/Li-ion
Cells without BEC Connection
6-16 Nicd/NiMH or 2-5 Li-Poly/Li-ion
Continuous Current 9 amps
PWMFrequency 8K and 16KHz PC Programmable Through ESC-ViewSoftware
BEC Max. Current 1AMax @ 5V
Minimum Working Voltage 6V DC
Maximum Working Voltage 20V DC
Connection Wires 20 Gauges, Silicon Rubber Insulation, 250C° Temperature Rating.
Size 31mm x19mm (Including capacitors)
Weight (with 2 inches wires) 9 g
SAFETYPRECAUTIONS: It is essential that the user exercise extreme caution when
attaching the battery, but especially when the motor propeller is engaged. Spinning at such
high RPMs, the propeller can strike, hurting a person very seriously. Eye protection is
recommended. The controller and the motor can deliver explosive high power output in a blink
of an eye. Children must be kept from playing with this type of controller.
Programmable Features:
BatteryType PC Programmable ThroughESC-ViewSoftware
Cutoff type PC Programmable ThroughESC-ViewSoftware
Brake PC Programmable ThroughESC-ViewSoftware
LowVoltage Cut-off PC Programmable ThroughESC-ViewSoftware
AdvanceMotor Timing PC Programmable ThroughESC-ViewSoftware
Throttle Range and Governess PC Programmable ThroughESC-ViewSoftware
Thermo Protection Cutoff PC Programmable ThroughESC-ViewSoftware
Acceleration Delay PC Programmable ThroughESC-ViewSoftware
Radio Throttle Pulse Width Reading and
Programming Through ESC-ViewSoftware
Reversible Turning Change anytwo motor wires
Audible Indication 1200Hz Audible Tones
Radio Transmitter Programming User Mode Selection Only
Auto Shut Off When Signal Lost Yes.

3
Wire Connection andInstallation
Connections:
1. Theredwire connectstobatterypositive; the black wire connectstobatterynegative.
WARNING: Incorrect connection of battery polaritywill totallydestroythe
controller and will not be covered bywarranty.
2. Thethree white wires connect to the motor. Theorder of connection is not important. If
the motor runs thewrong way, simplyexchange anytwo of thethree wires.
MDRIVE™ controllers aresupplied without power connectors. The user has to solder their desired
connectors to the wires. Motortron provides the best silicon insulated wires available for the
controller.
We suggest using a 35W electronic soldering station with maximum temperature setting, applying
no-clean flux (KESTER Brand #951) to wires and connectors. Connections need to be soldered
properly in order to provide maximumpower transfer from controller to motor.
Installation:
The controller should be mounted in a place with airflowto help dissipate the heat. The heat-sink
side of controller must face toward the airflow. Keep good separation from other heat sources,
like the motor or batterypack.
Always power on the radio transmitter first with throttle in the minimum position, and then
connect battery connector to controller, before running a motor. However the controller will not
arm if the throttle stickis above the currentlyset low throttle position.
MDrive™ controllers usea universalsignalconnector to the receiver. If you do not hear the
arming tones (deedee, dodo, dada) from the motor after the transmitter and controller are powered
up, please check to see that the signal connector is not plugged in backward.
Also check the throttlechannel-reversing switch on the transmitter. Futaba transmitters should be
set to “reverse”. Others should be set to “normal”.

4
User Mode
Contents of eachUser Mode:
Each User Mode uses a single digit to represent and select a group of sixoperatingoptions.
Theseoptionsare: lowvoltagecutoff (percentageof initial batteryvoltage or cell type and
voltage per cell), cutoff type, brake type, motor timingadvance, switchingfrequencyand
acceleration delay. Selection of which User Mode is used bythecontroller is easily
programmable via thetransmitter stick, or with theESC-Viewsoftware.
MDrive™controllers have three User Modes. User Mode 1 is the factorydefault andits
parameterscannot beedited. It is designedfor “plug and play” useor when theuser forgets
the other User Mode settings. He canalways select User Mode1 for safe operation. User
Modes 2 and 3 are fullyprogrammable through ESC-View.
Advantages of theUser Mode Solution:
1. Anyof theUser Modes can be selected bytheradio transmitter verysimply:
Set throttle to maximum position duringbatterypower up; thenselect the desired User
Mode byjust moving thethrottle sticktotheminimum position. Simple, quick and error
proof! (For details seethe next section, below.)
2. Selectable User Modes gives you the flexibilityto easilychange several options at the
field For example:
i. User has 1plane, 1motor, 1 prop, and 2typesof batteries:
User Mode 2 can beset for thefirst type of battery.
User Mode 3 can beset for thesecondtype of battery.
ii. User has 2planes, 2motors, 2 props and2 types of batteries:
User Mode 2 containsall theparameters for the first power system.
User Mode 3 containsall theparameters for second power system.
And more!
3. User Modes are alsoa simple, quick methodfor RC vendors toconfigure the parameters
ofthe MDrive™ controller to matchavarietyoftypes of DC brushless motors.
The factorydefault parameters of each User Mode in controller:
(In-run motor) (In-run motor) (Out-run motor)
Parameter User Mode1 User Mode 2 User Mode 3
Cutoff Voltage 70% of Power On
voltage 70% of Power On voltage 70% of Power On voltage
Cutoff Type Soft Soft Soft
Brake Type Off Medium Off
Motor Timing Advance 5 Degree 5 Degree 15 Degree
PWMFrequency 8 KHz 8 KHz 16 KHz
Acceleration Delay 0.51 sec. 1 sec0.17 sec.
Note 1: User mode 1is factory-set andis not programmable with ESC-Viewsoftware.
User Mode 2 is asuggested setting is for lowpole-count motors (most inrunners).
(Programmable)
User Mode 3 is asuggested setting is for highpole-count motors (most outrunners)
(Programmable)
Note 2: Onlyone User Mode maybe selected ina given power cycle. Thebatteryconnector
must be disconnectedand re-connectedto enableselectinganother User Mode.

5
Using Transmitter Throttle to Select User Mode and Audible Indications
Where doesthe sound come from?
The controller provides a 1200Hz audible tone signal to themotor’s windings during power on. The motor
then acts as a loudspeaker.
To Enter User Mode Selection:
Power on the radio transmitter first with throttle stick at the maximumposition, then power on
controller. Listen to the beeps carefully. Move throttle to minimum lowposition to select user
mode as follows:
Power on sequence of audible indications
Longbeep means controller is powered up
Listen: 1 or 2 or 3 beeps.
1 beep means currentlycontroller is in User Mode1
2 beeps means currentlycontroller is inUser Mode2
3 beeps means currentlycontroller is in User Mode3.
There is a 2 second silent windowto checkradio throttle position.
If throttle position is in low*, deedee-dodo-dada (arming tones) Run motor
If throttle position is in high*, Adjacent rising tones (Enter User Mode selection mode)
Listen for 1, 2 or 3 beeps. (5-second interval between each beep)
User selects theUser Mode bymoving the throttle down to the low position during 5-second interval
between indications to select the desired user mode. This procedure will repeat itselfifno action is
taken.
After 1 beep, throttle down to the lowposition without a pause to select User Mode 1 (Default Mode)
After 2 beeps, throttle downto the lowposition without a pause to select User Mode 2
After 3 beeps, throttle downto the lowposition without a pause to select User Mode 3
Note: Leavethethrottleat the lowposition for 5 seconds after the selection.
deedee (User Mode selection confirmed)
deedee-dodo-dada (arming tones)
Runmotor.
Note:Throttle position is in low* --- throttleis below 1.3 ms pulse width.
Throttle position is in high* -- throttleis above 1.7 ms pulse width
The controller will record your particular radio transmitter’spulse width data everytime you use
the radio throttle to select User mode. The recorded values (minimum and maximum pulse width)
mayvary if your throttleposition and/or throttle trim position are not exactly the same each time
you select a User mode.
Power-on safetystart feature: The controller will not arm the motor unless the throttle stick
position is belowpre-selected throttle start point. Details in theFAQ section below.

6
ESC-ViewSoftware
PC Hardware and Software:
•TheESC-Viewprogram requires adesktop or notebook PC with a serial port. If your PC
does not have a serial port, aUSB toserial converter cable can beused.
•ESC-Viewwill operate with most Microsoft™operating systems, including
Windows95™, Windows 98™, Windows 2000™, and Windows XP™. It mayalso be run
on one of these versionsofWindows installed in Microsoft™Virtual PC ona Macintosh™
in conjunction with a compatible USB to serial converter.
•Install the software from the supplied CD or download the latest version of ESC-View
from the downloads areaof www.motortron.com.
Connections:
1. ESC-Viewrequires useofthe ESC-linkcable supplied byMotortronSystem Inc. One
end of ESC-link cable connects tothespeed controller’s receiver connector. The other
end connects to PC’s serial port or the USB-to-serial converter.
Note: Reversingthe receiver lead connection will not damage MDRIVE™-linkcable or
the controller, but will not provide communication between the controller and thePC.
2. Connect the controller tothemotor. If you desireto simplyprogram thesetup
parameters, amotor connection is not required.
3. Connect adrive batteryto thecontroller.
WARNING: Incorrect connection of battery polaritywill totallydestroythe
controller and will not be covered bywarranty.
COMport selection:
When ESC-Viewstarts, there are upto8 COMportstochoosefrom.
If you are not surewhichCOMport tochoose, please check the Windows Device
Manager tofindan available COMport. Procedure: select Start—Control Panel—
System—Hardware—Device manager—Ports.
For moredetail, see “COMport” in the Troubleshooting section below.

7
NOTE: ESC-Viewwill not start up if there is no communication established
between controller and the PC. Common causes are:
•Incorrect COM port selected
•Power not supplied to the controller
•Receiver plug reversed in ESC-link cable.

8
Set up tab
User Mode Settings:
Asdiscussed above, MDrive™ controllers offer three unique User Mode settings.
These User Modes work like flight plans. To edit thesettings, highlight aUser Mode
byclickingon the User Mode2 or User Mode3 button, thenselect the desired
parameters for theflight. Clicking onthe Update ESC buttonsaves these parameters
intothecontroller’smemory.
Currently, theuser canstoreUser Mode2 andUser Mode 3datain the controller’s
memory. All threeUser Mode settings canbe selectedthroughtheradio transmitter
in the field. The radiotransmitter throttleisused toselect oneof thethree User
Modes asdescribed above in theUsingRadio Throttle Select User Mode and Audible
Indications section.
NOTE: Onlyone User Mode maybe selected in agiven power cycle. The battery
connector must be disconnected andre-connected to enable selecting another User
Mode.
User Mode 1: (Factorydefault setting- Cannot bereprogrammed)
Tochange parameters for either User Mode 2 or User Mode 3, click on the desired User
Mode, then select desired values with the radio buttonsand drop down menus. At anytime
you can click Update towrite the parameter set to thecontroller. The current settingsfor the
selected User Mode are displayed in the appropriate column. The onescurrentlybeing
edited areshown in a different color.
Tocheck or confirm thedata beenwritten intomemory, click Read ESC.
More explanations on Setup andAdvance Settings can befound in the FAQ or Technical
Information on the Web at: http://www.motortron.com

9
1. Batterytype:
Select thetype of batteryand then the number of cells. Then, select Cutoff per cell.
NOTE: Please refer to the batterymanufacture’sspecificationsfor appropriate cutoff per
cell values. In general, the lower the cutoff per cell voltage, the longer theflyingtime.
However, discharging the batterytoodeeplycan seriouslyshortenits overall life. This is
especiallytrueof lithium batteries. Theprogram automaticallyshows the total Autocutoff
voltage. If you wish to use a cutoff of 70% of initial voltage (as in User Mode 1) set the
number of cells to“blank”.
2. Cutoff type:
Soft cutoff --- The controllers detectsthevalue ofthe Autocutoff voltage, the controller
will then reducethepower to the motor for two seconds. Duringthis timethe battery
voltage will rebound since less current isbeing used. If thebatteryvoltagerises above
Auto cutoff voltage, full throttle power can bereapplied. When thevoltageis belowthe
Auto cutoff voltage again, the protocolabove repeats itself. This pulsesthemotor and
tells you it is timetoland immediately.
Hard cutoff --- Theprogram will shut off the power to motor completely. Full throttle
power can be applied only after thebatteryvoltage re-bounds above the Auto cutoff
voltage.
TheBEC circuit will maintain thepower totheradio receiver andtheservos duringthe
cutoff.

10
3. Brake type:
Brake type is designed for aerobatic flying. Byselecting theHard brake setting, you can
stop the motor instantlybyquicklypullingthethrottle stickall the wayoff. Other choices
are “off”, “soft”, “medium” and“custom”. Thecustom setting allows you to set the brake
from 5% to 100% in1% increments.
4. Motor timing:
Since the motor windings provide an inductive load tothecontroller, thecontroller needs
to advance the time it energizes the motor windingstomaximize motor turningtorqueas
well as to improve themotor efficiency. Ingeneral, a motor with fewer poles (like most
inrunners) requires lessadvanced timing (5-12 degrees). Outrunner type or other motors
with more polescan usemoretiming advance (15-25 degrees). There are discrete
selections for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20and 25degreesof advance or you mayset a Custom
value anywhere between 0 and25 degrees inonedegreeincrements.
5. PWMfrequency:
There are two frequencies toselect from: 8 KHzor 16KHz. Thecontroller uses PWM
(pulse width modulation) to drive the motor. The best selection dependsonthemotor’s
specifications, includingthe windings, stator core’s lamination etc. Thehigher frequency
resultsin a quieter running motor, but maycausehigher core losses. The lower
frequencywill likelyprovide better starting torque at the lowspeeds.
6. Acceleration delay:
This isa functionthat it is designed for sometypes of aerobatic maneuvers that require
a delaytime for motor acceleration after the throttle is moved up. Thereare sixvalues to
choose from, rangingfrom 0.17s to1.00s.