Make Your Own ESC

In this project I will firstly demonstrate how a common ESC works and afterwards create a circuit consisting of an Arduino Nano, an L6234 motor driver IC and a couple of complementary components in order to build a DIY ESC. Let's get started!

Step 1: Watch the Videos!

The two videos give you a good idea of what is necessary to do to create your own ESC. In the following steps I will present you some additional information.

Step 2: Order Your Components!

Here you can find a parts list with example seller (affiliate links):

Aliexpress:

1x Arduino Nano: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dULoNXh

2x LM393 Comparator: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dWasUKx

1x L6234 IC: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d9ewKMJ

4x 470nF, 1x 100nF, 1x 10nF, 1x 220nF Capacitor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dU4FEsB

2x 1µF Capacitor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d7dOwRz

4x 1kΩ, 3x 10kΩ Resistor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTPpXjt

5x 1Ω Resistor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dZjocVh

2x 10kΩ Potentiometer: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dX83GAF

2x 1N4148 Diode: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dYR45Bh

Ebay:

1x Arduino Nano: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x LM393 Comparator: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x L6234 IC: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

4x 470nF, 1x 100nF, 1x 10nF, 1x 220nF Capacitor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x 1µF Capacitor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

4x 1kΩ, 3x 10kΩ Resistor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

5x 1Ω Resistor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x 10kΩ Potentiometer: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x 1N4148 Diode: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Amazon.de:

1x Arduino Nano: http://amzn.to/2w0QQLZ

2x LM393 Comparator: http://amzn.to/2uRTgaM

1x L6234 IC: http://amzn.to/2w2M2VK

4x 470nF, 1x 100nF, 1x 10nF, 1x 220nF Capacitor: http://amzn.to/2wUe03i

2x 1µF Capacitor: http://amzn.to/2wUyby6

4x 1kΩ, 3x 10kΩ Resistor: http://amzn.to/2vujMKZ

5x 1Ω Resistor: http://amzn.to/2vzjBwc

2x 10kΩ Potentiometer: http://amzn.to/2uRZveE

2x 1N4148 Diode: http://amzn.to/2fCTO2E

Step 3: Create the Circuit!

Here you can find the schematic along with reference pictures of my board layout.

Step 4: Upload the Code!

Here you can download the code that I created for the project. Since I created quite a few of them you can download them all.

Sketch 1: Uses the analogRead function to measure the current

Sketch 2: Uses the external interrupt on pin 3 to measure the current

Sketch 3: Uses timer 2 to control the current chopping

Sketch 4: Uses the interrupts on pin 10,11,12 to switch to the next step

Step 5: Success!

You did it! You just created your own ESC!

Feel free to check out my YouTube channel for more awesome projects:

http://www.youtube.com/user/greatscottlab

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for news about upcoming projects and behind the scenes information:

https://twitter.com/GreatScottLab
https://www.facebook.com/greatscottlab

Comments

[BhupeshK31]

Do you have Simulation file?

[Tech Review 2000]

Hello, Thanks for making this tutorial. I am wondering how much current this can handle and at what voltage?

[EdaÇ3]

Hi,I want to try this project.But before the create it, I want to simulate in the program .Which simulation program you use ?Can you help me?

[Zac Apelt]

I don't think there is any software out there that allows you to simulate a circuit that is that complicated and also simulates an arduino as well.

[Zac Apelt]

Just for anybody trying to make this, you have to put a 1k pull-up resistor at each of the outputs of the comparator. It's unlikely that it would work without it and I think he just made a mistake in the schematic.

[Gokulias]

I want to 36v 250w bldc motor controller can you make it ?

[Zac Apelt]

You just need to make a triple half-bridge from 6 mosfets and drive them with bjts instead of the L6234. Just make sure they're rated for the current but the rest of his circuit should work for it.

[Zac Apelt]

Yeah, but it's not easy. You'll need to make a triple half-bridge out of mosfets and then use BJTs for driving them. I did it that way and its a lot cheaper than l6234 and you can push a lot more current through it.

[KaushikT2]

Hello sir,
I am trying to do this project with L6234D SIP package and 1000Kv BLDC motor.
I am using adaptor of 12v and 2 A for power supply.
At the end motor is only give magnetic vibration but not able to rotate.
I don't know why it happens, please give some guidance.

[Zac Apelt]

Check the circuit, use an oscilloscope to make sure your waveforms match his.

[KaushikT2]

Hello sir,
I am trying to do this project with L6234D SIP package and 1000Kv BLDC motor.
I am using adaptor of 12v and 2 A for power supply.
At the end motor is only give magnetic vibration but not able to rotate.
I don't know why it happens, please give some guidance.

[gpavlovsky]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there appears to be a bug (well, 3 identical ones) in 4.ino:
`step == (2 || 5)`
Shouldn't it be the following:
`(step == 2 || step == 5)`

Also, this code unreachable because it's within the `step == (2 || 5)` condition:
```
if (step == 6) {
step = 0;
}
```

[yassinzwin]

High experiment and idea for teaching,

[ArunS198]

1x Arduino can run bldc motor without Nano or help please

[karthikanchan]

hi,
I am doing a project using ESC circuit that is run using arduino uno. I am using this circuit to run a small 12v compressor, the expected flow rate to be obtained is 11 litres/min,but i am able to obtain only 7.5 l/m at the maximum speed of the compressor. So should i increase the voltage to the compressor or the speed of the compressor can be increased by the code itself?
the link form where i have referred this circuit and code is given below,please have look at it and help me if should make changes in code?.if yes then please help me with the changes in code too.

https://simple-circuit.com/arduino-sensorless-bldc-motor-controller-esc/

[adrianl126]

Hi Great Scott my question is, do you think the basic code will run on a senseless squirrel cage induction motor that has no magnets and whose load is a simple green house fan?

[ZellitoH]

Hi Scott, the actual boards pictures you show do not look like the electronic diagram. What changes do I need to make to make this work ?
Thanks

[AiltonO]

what changes i have to do for made a esc for a brushed motor ?

[liu.sunny]

this driver is only for brushless motor, brushed motor is a completely different structure and you cannot modify from this driver

[diy_bloke]

Followed this on youtube. Great work, learned a lot