Airframe & Power Selection
Evaluate the frame, motors, propellers, and battery as one system before ordering; ESPFlight v1.0 does not define one universal validated model set for those parts.
This page bridges the gap between the parts list and assembly. If you cannot support the frame, motor, propeller, battery, and motor-output compatibility with real specifications, do not finalize the order yet.
# What ESPFlight fixes—and what it does not
Hardware Reference v1.0 fixes the PCB design, four logical motor outputs, pin assignments, and Firmware-facing interfaces. It does not specify one frame model, motor model, propeller size, or battery model for every build. This page therefore does not certify a commercial parts set; it provides a repeatable way to avoid blind substitutions.
If you do not have enough information to verify a part, do not treat that combination as validated. Firmware PWM values or connector appearance alone do not prove the electrical capability of a motor, battery, or motor-output stage.
# Choose the system without guessing
- 1
Start with physical fit
The frame must rigidly mount the board, battery, and four motors while keeping wiring out of the propeller area. Check real dimensions and propeller clearance before finalizing the frame.
- 2
Treat the motor and propeller as a pair
The propeller size/type must be supported by the information for the selected motor. ESPFlight needs two CW and two CCW propellers; identify their direction from reliable product specifications or markings rather than appearance alone.
- 3
Match motor electrical demand to the real output stage
Use the schematic, the actual PCB components, and motor specifications. If you cannot compare the motor's voltage/current requirements with the capability of the real output path, the combination is not yet validated for your build.
- 4
Match the battery to the complete system
The battery voltage and current-delivery requirements must be compatible with the selected motors and the real power architecture of your build. Do not infer compatibility from connector shape or copy a value from another build.
- 5
Record the selection before assembly
Write down the exact frame, motor, propeller, and battery models, the source of their specifications, and any hardware assumptions. Re-check compatibility whenever one of those parts changes.
# Before-order checklist
# Validate the choice on the real build
Final validation happens on the assembled hardware: with propellers removed, verify polarity and the absence of an obvious short; then monitor the real supply with a multimeter and stop for unexpected heating, repeated controller resets, or severe supply collapse. Motor mapping and direction must pass without propellers, and propellers are installed only after the complete bench test passes.