My ESC is not initializing

So i recently bought a brushless motor, an ESC and 8 NiMH batteries (1.2 V each). I used glue gun to connect the connectors to the wires and made sure the metal parts touched. I connected the 3 pins of the BLDC to the ESC and i connected the signal pin of the ESC to the arduino digital pin 8. I connected the arduino analog input 0 to the 3.3V on the arduino. And i then ran the following code

`#include <Servo.h>

Servo esc;

void setup() {
// put your setup code here, to run once:
esc.attach(8);
esc.writeMicroseconds(1000);
Serial.begin(9600);

}

void loop() {
// put your main code here, to run repeatedly:

int val;
val = analogRead(A0);
val = map(val, 0, 1023, 1000, 2000);
esc.writeMicroseconds(val);

}`

This code was to test if the ESC works. The main endgame is to make a self-driving car somewhere in the future, all from scratch.

My problem is that after i connect the 8 NiMH batteries to the two power pins of the ESC, the ESC doesnt initialize. I dont know if the ESC is busted because this thing is new. I dont know if its because I used hot glue for the connectors or if its because i need a potentiometer or what. Some help would be much appreciated.

Hi Mahr758,

The first thing you will have to do is properly connect your batteries, a glue gun is really not made for that and will not work.
Most people will use either a battery tray/carrier or solder them in the proper way.

It’s easier to get a properly made battery pack as well.
Make sure your NiMh batteries can supply the current needed for your application as well.

The ESC should emit a sound through it’s motor when applying power, if you do not get pass that it’s probably your wiring.

All the best,

1 Like

Hi @dialfonzo. Thanks for the reply. How will i know if the batteries are supplying the current needed?

Usually the current rating is displayed on the batteries and the ESC / Motor have specs in current as well.

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@dialfonzo, the batteries im using only have the mAh values (2700 on 4 of them and 1900 on the other 4) and their voltages ratings (1.2 volts on all 8).

I can’t really tell you without the information.
First thing is still to properly connect the batteries, without hot glue.