Flashing 30A BlueSeries ESCs

In order to obtain more stable and responsive flight with my flight controller I decided to flash my four 30A BlueSeries speed controllers with SimonK’s custom firmware. The hardware of the ESCs I have received has been updated and no longer has the same component layout as the old 30A BlueSeries. The board now only contains N-Fets instead of a combination of P/N and the arrangement of the programming pads has been changed, therefore, the firmware for these newer 30A BlueSeries is  bs_nfet.hex. For more information about SimonK’s firmware see the RCGroups thread.

First I cut the heat shrink from each speed controller and located the programming pads.

Using breadboard jumper cables I soldered the wires to each of the programming pads and connected them with my programmer.

The procedure for flashing the speed controllers is fairly easy, the process of flashing the speed controllers takes about two seconds. In order to prevent the speed controllers from being damaged in the event that the flashing has failed, power your system from a 9 volt battery. This will prevent excessive current from damaging the speed controllers.

1) Download and launch the ESC Flashtool.

2) From the flashtool select your programmer (If your programmer isn’t listed then specify the avr device command in the custom window, ex. usbtiny).

3) Select the correct esc or firmware file to be flashed from the list (bs_nfet.hex).

4) Connect your speed controller or power distribution board to a 9 volt battery and click flash.

If all goes well you will hear the esc sound a few times and the command console will show that the flashing has succeeded, now you can remove the programmer. If not, you will notice strange noises and possibly clicks coming from your motor when the 9 volt battery is connected. Attempt to flash the speed controller again until it properly functions. If your esc begins to smoke then you are out of luck and need to purchase a new one.

5) Set the throttle ranges for each speed controller by connecting them to the battery and receiver throttle channel while your transmitter is bound at full throttle. After the beep, lower the throttle and you will hear a confirmation sound indicating that the throttle range has been calibrated.

Now your speed controllers should be flashed and functioning properly on SimonK’s firmware.