Motors
Motor Failure Modes and Heat Management
Motors are the first thing that fail on a hard-used FPV build. Knowing the difference between a bent shaft, worn bearings, damaged windings, and a fried ESC saves you from chasing the wrong problem.
Soldering Basics for FPV Builds
Soldering
Bad solder joints cause more FPV flyaways and fires than almost any other single factor. This guide covers the iron settings, solder alloy, and technique needed to make reliable joints on ESCs, motors, and XT connectors.
fc not powering onmotor not spinningesc cutting out under loadburnt solder jointxt60 connector hot
Equipment
- Iron: A temperature-controlled iron is non-negotiable. Hakko FX-888D or TS80P are the most recommended in the FPV community. Avoid cheap irons without temperature control — they overheat pads and lift them from PCBs.
- Solder: 63/37 leaded solder (Sn63Pb37), 0.6–0.8mm diameter. Leaded solder flows better and wets faster than lead-free, which matters on compact FPV boards. Use flux-core solder.
- Flux: Additional rosin flux paste for stubborn joints and XT60 connectors. Clean with IPA after.
- Tip: A fine chisel tip for SMD work; a medium chisel for power pads and XT connectors.
Temperature Settings
- FC and ESC signal pads: 300–320°C. Quick in-and-out — avoid dwelling on pads.
- Power pads and motor wires: 350–380°C. More mass requires more heat, but still move quickly.
- XT60 connectors: 400–420°C. Large thermal mass — pre-tin the cup heavily before inserting the wire.
The Golden Rule
Heat the joint, not the solder. Touch the iron to the pad and wire simultaneously, then feed solder into the joint — not onto the iron tip. Solder that melts on the tip rather than the joint produces a cold joint that looks shiny but has poor conductivity.
Inspecting Joints
- Good joint: Shiny, concave fillet that wets both surfaces. Pulls the wire rather than sitting on top of it.
- Cold joint: Dull, grainy, or cracked surface. Re-flow with fresh flux.
- Bridged joint: Solder connects two adjacent pads. Use solder wick to remove, then re-flow.
#soldering#build#xt60#esc#motor-wiring#flux#hakko
Related articles
Payload & Camera
FPV Camera Connector Types and Wiring Guide
Analogue FPV cameras, digital video transmitters, and action cameras all use different connector standards. Knowing what plugs into what before you start a build saves you from ordering the wrong cable or damaging a £200 camera.
Build & Maintenance
FPV Frame Build Guide: Components, Layout, and Stack Assembly
A methodical build process produces a quad that is easy to maintain and reliable in the field. This guide covers component selection, stack layout, and the assembly order that avoids the most common build mistakes.