Need Help Repairing A Syma X8HC

[Doc Kazoo]

I recently had a pretty bad crash and when I attempted to fly again found that it would not rise straight up but immediately when it begins to rise it also rolls to the right. I changed all the blades and no help. I then replaced both motors on the right side thinking perhaps they were damaged and not putting out as much power as the left side motors. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dragger201]

Hey Doc.....did you do a recalibration? A hard fall will knock your gyros for a loop........

 

[Doc Kazoo]

Hello Dragger, Thanks so much for the fast response. No I didn't and it was a pretty hard fall on a concrete driveway. How would I do that?

 

[dragger201]

Once you arm the motors, you need to hold both sticks "down" and to the "right".....................................until the LEDs quit blinking.............

 

[Doc Kazoo]

Thanks, I don't know what I was thinking about the calibration, I looked at a youtube video and just got back from testing a recalibrate. Everything appeared exactly as the video inso far as lights showing successful calibration but no change. Still rolling to right at takeoff until it flips upside down. I assume the calibration is ok.

 

[dragger201]

One more thing to try, Doc...........recalibrate your controller. To do that you hold the stick down and left after arming and calibrating the gyros...........it fixed a similar problem for me after a hard landing. My X8 wasn't trying to turn, it would just nose over...........

 

[Doc Kazoo]

Nope that didn't fix it either so I replaced all four motors, gearboxes, drive shafts gears and props with all new parts that I previously ordered just in case and it flew ok!!! Needs to be trimmed up but too windy for that today. This quad does not like wind at all but in calm winds it is a great camera platform for sunrise and sunset pictures/video. Thanks so much for your help. I had completely forgot about re-calibrating it and your tip about doing the controller too I did not know about.

 

[Rick M]

Try resetting trims on the transmitter: Hold left stick horizontal trim left, turn power on - 3 beeps confirms. Then re-calibrate the gyro on the quad and try it.

 

[Doc Kazoo]

Try resetting trims on the transmitter: Hold left stick horizontal trim left, turn power on - 3 beeps confirms. Then re-calibrate the gyro on the quad and try it.

Hello Rick, I do believe you are absolutely correct. This afternoon when I did finally get it to fly I noticed that the trim was off quite a bit but was too windy to try and make an adjustment while in flight. I will do as you suggest tomorrow and let you know the results. Thanks so much for posting this.

 

[Doc Kazoo]

Hello Rick, Back up and flying as normal thanks to you. Yep I needed to recalibrate the controller too. Took it for a test flight with a 2-5 tailwind with moderate gust and she flew just fine. Just like new again. I really appreciate you taking the time to walk me through this process. I have it all written down for future reference should I need it. Although it took somewhat of a beating in the crash and not as pretty but I am very happy to have a favorite camera platform back. I probably didn't even need to change out all the motors and gearboxes but the old ones are still good for spare parts should I need them.

 

[dragger201]

Sheesh, Doc, I feel like an idiot. When it falls again, check the propeller nose cone. Those press-fit on that metal shaft and they don't turn. If, in a fall, they get "tapped" they can be forced further down on that shaft until they bind the propeller. I did this once, but the shaft had poke enough that it was obvious. But since that one time, I have had it happen where it was not obvious..................

 

[Doc Kazoo]

Sheesh, Doc, I feel like an idiot. When it falls again, check the propeller nose cone. Those press-fit on that metal shaft and they don't turn. If, in a fall, they get "tapped" they can be forced further down on that shaft until they bind the propeller. I did this once, but the shaft had poke enough that it was obvious. But since that one time, I have had it happen where it was not obvious..................

 

[Doc Kazoo]

Thanks Dragger, I will definitely remember those caps. Well at least I had a great training experience on changing out motors and drive train. I really do appreciate the help getting "Big Red" back in the air.

 

[Rick M]

Hello Rick, Back up and flying as normal thanks to you. Yep I needed to recalibrate the controller too. Took it for a test flight with a 2-5 tailwind with moderate gust and she flew just fine. Just like new again. I really appreciate you taking the time to walk me through this process. I have it all written down for future reference should I need it. Although it took somewhat of a beating in the crash and not as pretty but I am very happy to have a favorite camera platform back. I probably didn't even need to change out all the motors and gearboxes but the old ones are still good for spare parts should I need them.

Glad we could help! I'm sure it was the combination of trim reset and gyro re-calibration.

 

[Doc Kazoo]

Glad we could help! I'm sure it was the combination of trim reset and gyro re-calibration.

Me too. I knew right away it was fixed before it got three feet off the ground. Since I was in the repair mode today I replaced two motors in a Husban x4 Desire that I messed up a couple months ago. A couple days after that I had eye surgery and am just now seeing l good enough to get that done. It's another favorite for sunrise sunset pics. Turned out very easy to change the motors even having to solder the connections. Took about an hour from start to test flight. Not bad for a one eyed old man. LOL

 

[Doc Kazoo]

Update on the X8 Repair.. well I did it again! LOL Doing a sunset video flight and lost track of time. I started my decent thinking I had enough power to land. About 30' up the props stopped and it fell like a rock! The camera shot off the X8 into the grass safely. However when the X8 lost power if now only fell it flipped over on it's back and landed pretty hard in a mowed field just a few feet away and two of the motors are locked tight. I figure it's either the motors or gear boxes. Thankfully I have both for each left over from my first repair. And thanks to you folks the know how to repair it again. LOL Thankfully the motors are plug in so no soldering.

 

[dragger201]

Update on the X8 Repair.. well I did it again! LOL Doing a sunset video flight and lost track of time. I started my decent thinking I had enough power to land. About 30' up the props stopped and it fell like a rock! The camera shot off the X8 into the grass safely. However when the X8 lost power if now only fell it flipped over on it's back and landed pretty hard in a mowed field just a few feet away and two of the motors are locked tight. I figure it's either the motors or gear boxes. Thankfully I have both for each left over from my first repair. And thanks to you folks the know how to repair it again. LOL Thankfully the motors are plug in so no soldering.

Hey Doc.............that's quads for ya...............

 

[Doc Kazoo]

Hi Dragger, Yep!

 

[GyroDrone2.0]

Hello Rick, Back up and flying as normal thanks to you. Yep I needed to recalibrate the controller too. Took it for a test flight with a 2-5 tailwind with moderate gust and she flew just fine. Just like new again. I really appreciate you taking the time to walk me through this process. I have it all written down for future reference should I need it. Although it took somewhat of a beating in the crash and not as pretty but I am very happy to have a favorite camera platform back. I probably didn't even need to change out all the motors and gearboxes but the old ones are still good for spare parts should I need them.

Hey Doc, I looked at the pic. you posted and I was just wondering why you have zipties around the arms?

thanks

 

[Doc Kazoo]

The body got kinda mis-shaped a wee bit in the crash so I added these just for safety in case of another bad crash. Which I already had and they worked. Just got to replace a couple more motors now. It ain't pretty but it can take a licking and keep on ticking. LOL