First Quad Build- Won't Fly

[Mark Patera]

I just got done building my first quad and i'm having issues getting it in the air. I am using the Hobby King Multi-Rotor Control Board. I have gone through the setup steps in the manual which included- transmitter input check, prop rotation check, gyro direction check, and ESC throttle range setup. The only thing that I didn't do which I thought would be the most important is the gyro calibration but the manual said it does this when the controller input goes above zero right before it takes off.

The issue i'm having is the rear and right props are giving more thrust than the front and left which is causing the quad to flip as soon as it tries to take off. I have tried trimming from the transmitter in all directions but I can't get it any better.

I can hold the quad in the air and tilt it in different directions and I can hear the motors speeding up trying to correct itself but it just seems to me like theres and issues with the gyro calibration.

Has anyone else had any experience with this Hobby King Flight Control Board or had similar issues with other builds? Anything that I'm overlooking in the setup steps?
Heres a link to the flight control board Im using- http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...i_Rotor_Control_Board_V3_0_Atmega328_PA_.html

I have also uploaded a copy of the flight controller manual

Thanks in advance for the help
-Mark

 

[Mike]

Are you running an x mode or a + mode setup with your build (in more simpler terms, where is the front of your quad)? Apparently the HK boards come with a + mode only and you need to reflash with different firmware to get an x mode setup. If you're running +, make sure your board is mounted in the correct orientation.

If your setup is + mode, then here's what I originally posted:

When the quad is on a flat surface and you test throttle with the props off, do all of the motors spin up the same? Is your board mounted in the proper orientation for your configuration (+ vs x)?

If everything checks out, you might want to look at the firmware. I know there are some issues with specific versions of firmware with the KK based boards. When I started out and used KK boards, me and the guy I built my first quad with had to re-flash with some different firmware, but I can't remember which versions were good/bad. You should be able to find this info for the current setup if you google it.

 

[Mark Patera]

I wasn't aware that I had the option to run + or x mode with this board. When I started the build I wanted it to be x mode but after going through the manual it appeared that everything was setup for + mode and as I went through the setup steps everything reacted as it should for the + mode. I ordered the AVR USB cable but it came with the wrong ribbon cable that doesn't match the pins on my board. I tried making a custom connector but I can't get it to communicate. I'm not sure if I have an incorrect pinout or if something else is going on but I was just going to buy a new one with the correct connection. Do you have any recommendations for a good cable?
Also, I'm trying to connect to this board with the AVR Studio 4 software.

I guess my next step will be to get the correct cable and try to flash to a different firmware.

 

[Mike]

Yeah, the board is set up for + mode only, but all of these KK boards are basically the same hardware, so you can typically flash them with something else. I don't know why it's set up for + mode since most people fly x. This video shows you step-by-step how to flash this exact board for x config:

Maybe try with that method/software to see if your custom cable is good.

Which USB AVR cable did you buy? I see they're sold out at the HK international warehouse and I don't see them in the USA warehouse (assuming you're in the USA). You can get them on Ebay for $7 or 8 shipped from the USA:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USBasp-USBI...124?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20ecfd718c

Here is the flash tool:

http://lazyzero.de/kkflashtool

 

[Mark Patera]

Thanks for the help. I have the same USBasp as he used in the video nut mine has a different ribbon cable. I will go back over my wiring to make sure I have the pinout correct and try this other flash tool when I get home. I'll let you know if it works

 

[Mike]

Good luck! Let me know if you need any more help.

 

[Mark Patera]

I just tried that and it worked perfect so I guess my wiring on the USBasp was correct. I still can't connect using the AVR Studio though. Now I guess I just need to take the quad apart and change the orientation of the control board since the front will now be in the middle of the X. I probably won't do this till tomorrow but I'll let you know how it works.

Thanks for the help

 

[Mike]

Awesome! No problem. Some people like +, but if you're ever going to put a camera on it, + isn't a good idea. Let me know how it goes tomorrow.

 

[Mark Patera]

I got everything put back together and it looks to be a little more stable, still can't get it to fly straight without trying to run off though. Got a question about the orientation of the control board, since I change it to x mode should the forward arrows now be pointed between 2 of the arms instead of towards the front arm? The firmware I updated to had a brief description of the setup but didn't have much details. The only thing it really said was which motor is which and the rotation they should be. I have attached a pic of the way I have the board setup now(board1) and a pic of the whole quad(whole quad1).

Thanks
Mark

 

[holtneil]

HI sorry to jump in MM some times is busy , but yes the board is mounted right, are all motors spining up at the same time ,some times you need to trim throttle so all motors start at the same time , also have you recalibrated now you reflashed

 

[Mark Patera]

I have gone back through the setup steps after flashing new firmware. I've been playing with the trim for a little while but its just real touchy. If I trim it to correct for pitch or roll it looks better but then the yaw is off a little and when I adjust it something else is off a little. I've been going back and forth trying to get them all right but just broke my last prop so I'm down for a few days.

 

[holtneil]

Hi mate my boy has problems with his, so we changed to to the kk2.0 runing 1.6 firmware and it was stable right from the off , i have heard the hk board can play up, try this flash tool and firmware its done by kk and lazy zero so it the man that made the boards
Just had a look at manual OMG its a crazy set up
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCMQFjAA&url=http://lazyzero.de/en/modellbau/kkmulticopterflashtool&ei=d7RSVJjAFdHzaoSngvgD&usg=AFQjCNEpCFiWpcFLrQ3do4Obe-XKzy_-vw&sig2=nCyWT-g6teh4UKxkdKdcog&bvm=bv.78597519,d.d2s

 

[Mark Patera]

Still waiting on my new props to show up...Ordered them a week and a half ago... I'll let you guys know how it works when I get it going again.