New to me stuff - Flashing ESCs

[Quadcopter102]

I have the uBast Artmel flashing gizmo ffrom HobbyKing. It fits over a little chip on the ESC and "updated" simonK from KK tool online.

I bought four cheap ESCs off ebay to learn this process. A YouTube vid showing the process used teh same ESCs or so it seemed by the identical board layout and colours.
They are "HK F" 30a ( HK = HobbyKing??? )

I did not ( do not ) know which version of simonK to use - but what I read says use the latest.

This is a copy of the flashing results. the XXXXXXXXX removed my details..... simply because Google will index this post eventually and I simply don't like info online. Did so on Google web tools forum once and a week later had 100s of spam emails - I don't exaggerate.

The end message was successful - but what about th e error message??

I installed everything on a Win 7 PC - including drivers - Or tried to sot really sure what they did.. but trying to flash one ESC and it comes up in RED text and fails.
Move it to the iMac... and all four read as below.

What am I or the computers doing wrong and which simonK from the list should I use?

TIA

Flash the firmware from repository.

/Applications/kkMulticopter Flash Tool.app/Contents/Resources/Java/lib/avrdude/mac/avrdude -C /Applications/kkMulticopter Flash Tool.app/Contents/Resources/Java/lib/avrdude/mac/avrdude.conf -p m8 -P /dev/cu.xxxxxxxxxxsiMacG5-Bl -c usbasp -e -U lfuse:r:/Users/xxxxxxxLibrary/Preferences/kkMulticopterFlashTool//lfuse.hex:r -U hfuse:r:/Users/xxxxxxxx/Library/Preferences/kkMulticopterFlashTool//hfuse.hex:r

avrdude: warning: cannot set sck period. please check for usbasp firmware update.
avrdude: AVR device initialized and ready to accept instructions

Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.00s

avrdude: Device signature = xxxxxx
avrdude: erasing chip
avrdude: warning: cannot set sck period. please check for usbasp firmware update.
avrdude: reading lfuse memory:

Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.00s

avrdude: writing output file "/Users/xxxxxxxxxx/Library/Preferences/kkMulticopterFlashTool//lfuse.hex"
avrdude: reading hfuse memory:

Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.00s

avrdude: writing output file "/Users/xxxxxxxx/Library/Preferences/kkMulticopterFlashTool//hfuse.hex"

avrdude done. Thank you.


/Applications/kkMulticopter Flash Tool.app/Contents/Resources/Java/lib/avrdude/mac/avrdude -C /Applications/kkMulticopter Flash Tool.app/Contents/Resources/Java/lib/avrdude/mac/avrdude.conf -p m8 -P /dev/cu.xxxxxxxxxxxiMacG5-Bl -c usbasp -e -U lfuse:w:164:m -U hfuse:w:218:m

avrdude: warning: cannot set sck period. please check for usbasp firmware update.
avrdude: AVR device initialized and ready to accept instructions

Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.00s

avrdude: Device signature = xxxxxxxxxx
avrdude: erasing chip
avrdude: warning: cannot set sck period. please check for usbasp firmware update.
avrdude: reading input file "164"
avrdude: writing lfuse (1 bytes):

Writing | ################################################## | 100% 0.00s

avrdude: 1 bytes of lfuse written
avrdude: verifying lfuse memory against 164:
avrdude: load data lfuse data from input file 164:
avrdude: input file 164 contains 1 bytes
avrdude: reading on-chip lfuse data:

Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.00s

avrdude: verifying ...
avrdude: 1 bytes of lfuse verified
avrdude: reading input file "218"
avrdude: writing hfuse (1 bytes):

Writing | ################################################## | 100% 0.00s

avrdude: 1 bytes of hfuse written
avrdude: verifying hfuse memory against 218:
avrdude: load data hfuse data from input file 218:
avrdude: input file 218 contains 1 bytes
avrdude: reading on-chip hfuse data:

Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.00s

avrdude: verifying ...
avrdude: 1 bytes of hfuse verified

avrdude done. Thank you.

Flashing firmware from file.: /Users/xxxxxxxxxx/Library/Preferences/kkMulticopterFlashTool/dlux.hex

/Applications/kkMulticopter Flash Tool.app/Contents/Resources/Java/lib/avrdude/mac/avrdude -C /Applications/kkMulticopter Flash Tool.app/Contents/Resources/Java/lib/avrdude/mac/avrdude.conf -p m8 -P /dev/cu.xxxxxxxxxxiMacG5-Bl -c usbasp -e -U flash:w:/Users/xxxxxxxxx/Library/Preferences/kkMulticopterFlashTool/dlux.hex:i

avrdude: warning: cannot set sck period. please check for usbasp firmware update.
avrdude: AVR device initialized and ready to accept instructions

Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.00s

avrdude: Device signature = xxxxxxxxxxxxx
avrdude: erasing chip
avrdude: warning: cannot set sck period. please check for usbasp firmware update.
avrdude: reading input file "/Users/xxxxxxxxxxxx/Library/Preferences/kkMulticopterFlashTool/dlux.hex"
avrdude: writing flash (8192 bytes):

Writing | ################################################## | 100% 2.99s

avrdude: 8192 bytes of flash written
avrdude: verifying flash memory against /Users/xxxxxxxxxxxx/Library/Preferences/kkMulticopterFlashTool/dlux.hex:
avrdude: load data flash data from input file /Users/xxxxxxxxxxxx/Library/Preferences/kkMulticopterFlashTool/dlux.hex:
avrdude: input file /Users/xxxxxxxxxxxx/Library/Preferences/kkMulticopterFlashTool/dlux.hex contains 8192 bytes
avrdude: reading on-chip flash data:

Reading | ################################################## | 100% 2.23s

avrdude: verifying ...
avrdude: 8192 bytes of flash verified

avrdude done. Thank you.

Flashing of firmware was successful.

 

[HDtallrider]

I don't have to do that on mine.

 

[ringolong]

Try this one. The success means that you are good to go.

I flashed mine with Blheli 13.2

 

[HDtallrider]

I still don't have to flash mine.

 

[ringolong]

I still don't have to flash mine.

Spoiled

 

[Quadcopter102]

I still don't have to flash mine.

Which ESCs do you use??
I read somewhere ( RC Groups I think ) that s it is better to check the simonK version because old stock - not the best products - fakes on eBay etc,. may have older version or even no simonK. I cannot find anything to "read" what is on the chips and taking it that cheap and cheerful off ebay may not be the good - so reflashing would "do no harm".
I got these cheapo's to play with in case I blew them up!

 

[Quadcopter102]

DJI 2312 980 motors - DJI Props ( off my P3P)
Emax 30a Simon series BEC
CC3D Atom
4500 3s 30 c LiPo
Devo 10 and RX1002

All manner of issues - but one motor was spinning visibly slower then the others.

My thoughts were....
I messed up in OpenPilot and had wrong settings
The Motor was faulty in some way
The ESC was not calibrated.
I stripped the no 3 motor and swapped with no 1 motor.... its the ESC it seems. No 1 was now spinning slower.
Just ordered a Emax ESC programmer gizmo... so its looking like January for that.

So I am going to strip it all off the frame and add

Mars 2212 980 ( or 920) motors ( look very much like the DJI motors)
ZTW Spyder 30a oneshot125 Opto small with a Hobby wing Ubec
Will try both the CC3D Atom and a KK2.1.5 to see which is easiest to sort out!

I have a 500 Alien Frame waiting for a Power Dist board and the left overs can go on this.

Also ordered a Turnigy 5X 5Ch Mini Transmitter and Receiver (Mode 2)
Still not sure the Devo 10 is fully functional and this is enough to test it all with - AU$50.43 with DHL 3-5 day shipping.

 

[ringolong]

All manner of issues - but one motor was spinning visibly slower then the others.

This could potentially be ok. All of my motors do not spin at the speed until they are in the air. Have you performed a takeoff yet?

 

[Quadcopter102]

This could potentially be ok. All of my motors do not spin at the speed until they are in the air. Have you performed a takeoff yet?

It wont lift.... tried wacking it up ( which is like the auto lift on the Phantom) rather than slow gradual increase in speed but it gets up a few inches and flips over.
I have tried slow power increase and trying to counter any visible tilts and at the same time trying to trim it out... it still flips.
It was during the slow power increase I spotted the lazy motor.
Problem is/was the other setup mars Motors/ZTW ESC/uBec did the tilting - virtually the same - which made me suspect the Devo was at fault!
Before that I had the mars motors and some hobbyking copy ESCs which needed the SimonK updating - they also flipped which made me suspect the cheap ESCs!

The other possibility is that I have not got the FC settings right.
The CC3D is done on computer and seems simple to follow the guided setup. Tried the KK2 - which seems to me - more complicated because it assumes I have a knowledge of PI gains etc,. - which are in fact unknown to me! I copied a list of setting s from youTube vids - which purport to show them working from scratch and tweaked - it flips!

Had our daughter and grandson here so now chance to play... but this afternoon - I am stripping the frame and putting the mars motors and ZTW ESCs back on and will try again and get back.

 

[Quadcopter102]

Since the last - above post - I found the problems were due to the Emax ESCs need re-calibration. During the Open Pilot CC3D setup... there is a section which calculates the low and high end of motors - start without power connect battery and stop the sequence... when "music" from ESCs is done?? Found Painless 360 vid and he warns about leaving the ESCs on bettery power too long... and the ESC "beeps" change to "Music" - it a start to re-calibrating the ESC. so it looks like I took too long or they were in need on arrival...who knows.
Anyway - as the motors and EScs were all soldered together... I just stripped them off the frame and added a set of Mars 2212 920kn motors and the ZTW oneshot mentioned above.
The short version is its OK not flown outdoors as we have had over 48 hours virtually none stop rain alternating between monsoon and heavy drizzle.
It needs a bit more stabilization and means changes to the PId - stuff. All of which is Greek to me.
So it looks like Christmas on YouTube!

More to follow as and when....

Thanks to the guys who helped me get this far....

 

[Quadcopter102]

The trials and tribulation of DIY quad building - still go one - but with help from you guys, hours on youTube and setting out with the addage... if at first.... I seem to be on the best side of the basics at least!
I still need to get the maths and equations relating to thrust - which motors/props to use etc,.
First ESc were cheapos - had to wait to get the Ubasp connectors to re-flash them - meanwhile also ordered ZTW as advised by Neil - I think. DJI motors from Foxtech never left China according to the tracking... so had to wait until they conceded that they were not in transit before they would resend, meanwhile the EverBuying saga ended when I took a $45 refund - added a few $$ and ordered a set of Mars motors - same spec as DJI and looking identical! They arrived before the DJI. Knowing I was getting more and more duplication in the kit.. I also ordered a low price 500 Alien/Reptile clone frame.
SO I needed more ESCs.. opted for Emax Simon Series - no reflashing! Problems with teh build... tipping over etc,. Ordererd ESC programme card from Emax...more waiting. It arrived I checked the ESC.. 1 of the 4 was out of sync with the other three..took all of 1 second to hit a button and change the odd one out.
Still not really liking or trusting the Devo 10. My grandson loves playing with the radio for the Cheerson CX30 mini quad and has "flown " it.. well it goes up and pins itself to the ceiling and crabs about till it poses a prop and drops!
Waiting before deciding to get another TX - I saw a cheapo Turnigy 5channel tx.... ( mistake really) its about 2/3ds size of "normal" radios - and although its basic and not programmable other than sliders to tweak - it does an half decent job for testing the stuff - and grandson can have it to play with without me fretting!

The 500 has DJI motors 2212 980kv, DJI props ( coloured by me) Emax Simon series 30a ESC. FC is a KK2.1.5 flashed with Steveis "Beginner" firmware.
garden test show it hovering reasonably well... drift needs tweaking out.

The 450 is having problems I have not mastered yet.
2212 920kv Mars motors, DJI Props - ZTW Spider 30a Opto with HK uBec - FC is CC3D - which hates my iMac and keeps crashing. Seems OK on WIN 7 PC.
After the New Year stuff is over, a friend with a "garden" about as big as a football pitch/ground - and more land behind their house ( has 4 cows to keep the grass down!) has invited me to video the lot with the Phantom and providing the cows are in the back paddock - I can use the front field anytime I want!

Photo of the Fleet lined up for a Phantom fly past...

Wishing everybody - All The best for the coming New Year and hoping that all the idiots who caused "drone" issues - have learned their lesson and other will not repeat them.

Happy New Year and more flying for 2016