Reflashing Firmware for a Vortex 285.....HELP

[Flip1196]

Since my quad is used, and Ive done some mods ( aluminum parts, motor replacement) its not flying right. The replaced motor works well but the quad has some wierd flight characteristics now. I tried flashing new firmware and have just messed the whole process up....now quad only beeps when batteries are connected. Anyone out there willing to walk me through a firmware reflash so my nightmare will end? I will need step by step instructions.....cuz Iam computer inept. Any help would be appreciated. Thanx guys

 

[RENOV8R]

Are you using Cleanflight software?

 

[Flip1196]

Yes but like I said....computer idiot here. lol. I'm not sure how to download the new firmware. I was under the impression that if I plugged in the quad everything would just "happen" automatically. so now all the quad does is beep when the battery is connected. if I'm not mistaken I think I need to reflash with immersion firmware.

 

[Flip1196]

OK.....finally got quad to take the reflash. Had to take whole thing apart and investigate. I noticed a wire that was almost coming off of a solder pad. Resoldered and the firmware flash took. Now the problem seems to be in the endpoints or the way my Taranis is set up. Throttle imput never seems to get past halfway. Motors spool up nicely and then seem to maintain a level of RPM that is not letting the quad take off...untill I introduce a small amount of YAW. The quad takes off....to a height of about a foot and falls back to the ground just to repeat the whole process again. I was hoping that a firmware reflash would reset the FC and all of the ESCs but Im still getting weird flight characteristics. Anyone in Quadland know why? My problem started when a motor threw out a bearing and had to be replaced. Ever since the replacement, the quad (a vortex 285) has been acting crazy. Ive followed all of the OSD prompts to recalibrate imput from the radio....several times to no avail. This is really starting to make me want to pull out my hair....and i really dont want to keep chasing fixes....but im really enjoying the times I DO get to fly. Please help poor old....soon to be bald....me. Any suggestions would help. Thanx guys

 

[RENOV8R]

Sounds like just a little more calibration in Cleanflight? In the configuration tab, try setting mincommand = 1000, minthrottle = 1050 and maxthrottle = 2000

Also calibrate ESCs in the motor tab . To do this, turn on your transmitter with throttle at zero but don't plug in your battery. Now move the master slider up so it shows all motors at full. Now plug battery into quad and your ESCs will sing a song. Quickly move the slider back down to zero and they will sing a long song. Unplug the battery and plug it back in, see if that gives you full throttle range.

 

[Flip1196]

Is there anything special I need to do to get Cleanflight to recognize my quad. Every time I plug it in all I get is a screen for firmware flash. How do I access the motor/esc tabs?

 

[RENOV8R]

On the top right corner of the screen you need to click on the green connect button. You'll know it when you connect because you'll see a main screen with a virtual image of a quad and when you move your quad, it should mimick it's movements

 

[Flip1196]

Finally got cleanflight to recognize my quad,but when I unplug the battery to calibrate the escs it kicks me off. Any idea why that's happening?

 

[RENOV8R]

You don't unplug the battery until after you calibrate the ESCs. I know what you're thinking but don't worry, your motors won't spin up. It'll disconnect to reboot, just hit the connect button to get back in. There is also an autoconnect, but I don't recommend activating it.

 

[Flip1196]

Since its an immersion FC, the battery has to stay plugged into the quad in order for Cleanflight to recognize it. Most videos Ive seen are all using the NAZE FC, which can be powered by a standard USB cable. On the bright side...Cleanflight says that my ESCs are all calibrated right but one of the motors seems to be dragging....ordered a new motor and will try that and see, unless Im really that stupid and just dont comprehend what Im doing and have overlooked something.