How to Use Brushless Motor: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Brushless Motor A2212 is an efficient and reliable electric motor commonly used in a variety of applications, including drones, model aircraft, and small electric vehicles. Unlike traditional brushed motors, the A2212 operates using electronic commutation, which eliminates the need for physical brushes and results in less wear and tear, longer lifespan, and improved performance.

• Radio-controlled (RC) aircraft and drones
• Small electric vehicles
• Robotics
• DIY electronics projects

• Nominal Voltage: 7.4V - 11.1V
• Maximum Current: 12A
• Power Rating: Up to 150W
• KV Rating: 2200 RPM/V
• Efficiency: >70%
• Motor Dimensions: 27.5mm x 30mm
• Shaft Diameter: 3.17mm
• Weight: 52g

Note: ESC stands for Electronic Speed Controller, which is required to drive the brushless motor.

1. Connect the Motor to an ESC: The three output wires of the A2212 motor must be connected to the corresponding phases of an appropriate Electronic Speed Controller (ESC). The order of connection can be changed to reverse the motor direction if needed.

2. Power Supply: Ensure that the power supply voltage is within the specified range for the motor. Connect the power supply to the ESC according to the ESC's documentation.

3. Control Signal: The ESC requires a control signal, typically a PWM signal, which can be generated by a microcontroller like an Arduino UNO.

4. Mounting the Motor: Secure the motor to your application using appropriate mounting hardware, ensuring that it is firmly attached and that the rotating parts can move freely.

• Current Rating: Do not exceed the maximum current rating of the motor to prevent overheating and potential damage.
• Propeller Balance: If using the motor with a propeller, ensure the propeller is well-balanced to minimize vibrations.
• Cooling: Provide adequate cooling for the motor during operation, especially under high load conditions.
• ESC Calibration: Calibrate the ESC according to its manual to ensure proper operation with the motor.

• Motor not spinning: Check connections between the motor and ESC, and ensure the power supply is within the specified range.
• Overheating: Reduce the load on the motor or improve cooling.
• Vibrations: Check that the propeller or any attached components are balanced and securely mounted.

• Reversing Motor Direction: Swap any two motor wires connected to the ESC to reverse the direction of rotation.
• No Response to Control Signal: Verify that the PWM signal from the microcontroller is within the ESC's accepted range and that the ESC is properly calibrated.

Q: Can I run the A2212 motor without an ESC? A: No, an ESC is required to provide the correct sequence of power to the motor phases.

Q: What is the maximum propeller size I can use with this motor? A: The maximum propeller size depends on the application and the power supply. Consult the motor's datasheet and the propeller's specifications for compatibility.

Q: How do I know if my ESC is compatible with this motor? A: Ensure that the ESC can handle the motor's voltage and current requirements. It should also be capable of driving brushless motors.

Below is an example code snippet for controlling the A2212 motor using an Arduino UNO and an ESC. This code assumes the ESC is connected to pin 9 of the Arduino and that the ESC has been calibrated to recognize the Arduino's PWM signal range.

#include <Servo.h>

Servo esc; // Create a servo object to control the ESC

void setup() {
  esc.attach(9); // Attach the ESC on pin 9
  esc.writeMicroseconds(1000); // Send the minimum signal to the ESC
  delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second
}

void loop() {
  int throttle = 1500; // Set the throttle signal (microseconds)
  esc.writeMicroseconds(throttle); // Send the throttle signal to the ESC
  delay(10000); // Run the motor at the set throttle for 10 seconds

  esc.writeMicroseconds(1000); // Stop the motor by sending the minimum signal
  delay(5000); // Wait for 5 seconds before the next loop iteration
}

Note: The writeMicroseconds function is used to send precise control signals to the ESC. The values may need to be adjusted based on the ESC's calibration.

Remember to follow the ESC's calibration procedure before running this code to ensure the ESC recognizes the PWM signal range from the Arduino.