Soma X8W Take off

[Marvo]

Hi, Complete starter here!
Just finished all the setup for the X8W, double checked the blades, done the binding a dozen times tried fine tuning etc, but.....
The unit still wants to flip over forward, backward sideways... It's been done on a flat level surface, and even indoors it tries to tilt over instead of lifting straight up..
Tried toggling the arms for reset but nothing works
Any help would be great. Tried Syma, but like talking to brick wall.

 

[Gramps]

Sounds like you might have the blades on wrong. Check and make sure the leading edge (thick edge) is Turing into the air. For instance on a clockwise motor with the blade a 12 o'clock the leading edge should be on the right. It would be just the opposite on a counter clockwise motor.

 

[Thomas in Niagara]

Gramps is right. If all blades are turning it's not the motor. It's the blade or blades on wrong. If you have the bumpers still on it make sure a bumper isn't contacting a blade. You'd hear that though. Tick tick tick. Pretty sure the blade configuration would be pretty much the same as the X5C so you could try the image in this post for the correct orientation. http://quadcopterforum.com/threads/things-i’ve-learned-syma-x5c-1.6318/ good luck and let us know how it worked out please.
Cheers
Thomas in Niagara

 

[Marvo]

Thank you both for the quick response.
I've tried changing blades with the spares supplied, and followed very carefully the instructions for the "A" and "B" rotors. They are all turning correctly, with the thicker (higher) leading edge turning into the air. Same as a heli set up.
Going from the horizontal correction point, (taking both toggle arms to the bottom right), the Quad turns to the left (with fore going away from me).
If I trim it to adjust, it flips aft..... Trim that and it flips forwards.
I really think I shouldn't have to trim just to take off though.
By the way, this is all being done indoors, flat no breeze.

Think I've got a dud.
Cheers

 

[Thomas in Niagara]

You could check for a sticky gear motor assembly. A quick spin of the blades would rule that out but you could check to see if there is some play between the gears that might only appear during peak loads on the motor such as on takeoff. Just a thought from a fellow newb. There are clockwise blades and also counter clockwise blades. Mix one up and it would flip as you stated. Indoors it should be pretty stable but it won't hover by itself. You will always have to be on the sticks [not even sure that's an expression ] just minor little corrections to make it hover. It does like to drift. I take it there are no warning labels on your blades?

 

[Marvo]

No warning labels, just the letters "A" & " B"
No sticking, no play between gears.
As I mentioned, it flips in different directions depending on what tweaks you make to the trim adjustors.
Really frustrating as I want to take to the skies, watching out for any trees of course!

 

[Gramps]

I had the two rear blades on my x5c-1 off today. When I put them back on I had them reversed. Every time I hit the left stick to hover it would flip on it's back. Reversed the blades and it as fine.

I would also check to make sure the right shoulder button isn't stuck. This is the one that controls flips. The plastic button you is just that it isn't the actual button it's on the circuit board. If you press it do you hear a click, you should even with the transmitter off.

It is also possible you have a faulty unit. Might try exchanging it.

 

[Marvo]

Thanks, I've checked blades and they're all OK. The "Higher" edge of each blade is the "Leading" edge...
I've tried experimenting with the trim buttons and right stick during attempted take off... it's almost there, but I don't see why I should have to perform this very tricky correction.
I would've thought it should just go straight up.
Cheers

 

[Thomas in Niagara]

Hi Marvo. Hope it's something we can help with here. Then you don't have to sit around waiting for China to send along another one. Indoors [and I highly recommend not flying indoors nor in a smaller backyard until you've got a handle on it. Or buy the crash kit off Ebay. I had to because I don't follow my own advice.] I'm very careful with the trim buttons. On my TX once set it seems to stay set when turning it on and off. During long flights or attempts to hover control indoors the motors can heat up at different rates. I would let them warm up before setting any trim. You should be able to control it without if going all wiggy to start. You are the pilot. 'Be the ball' as Chevy Chase says. The only one I seem to have to set constantly is the fore and back button. I will occasionally reset the button [watch the dots and listen for the long beep which signals a zero reset] just to make sure one motor isn't throwing things off kilter.
"I would've thought it should just go straight up." Heheheh me too and I've got scratches on my nice textured ceiling that I had to explain to the wife.
Gramps could be right. It may be defective right from the gitgo. Hope not.
Cheers brother pilot!! Hope things work out.
Thomas

 

[Thomas in Niagara]

Please note Marvo that in the image above the clockwise motors are diagonal to each other and the counter clockwise motors are likewise. As in your two 'A' blades would be top left and lower right and the 'B' blades would be upper right and lower left. [or vice versa] If you have them [or they'd come in the wrong configuration] you'll never get it off the ground as it will just flip this way and that. I certainly don't mean to imply that you aren't doing it right. But if it came with the blades installed, well maybe Mr Chan was having a bad day and not paying attention. Then you'd think 'it came that way it must be right'. I know the picture is for the Syma X5C-1 but the premise is correct for all quad copters.

 

[Marvo]

Still no joy, tried numerous suggestions from various sources.
Blades are correct, binding OK, even left Quadcopter on floor (inside) before connecting battery, waited a couple of minutes before turning on and binding then re calibrating but same result. Plus after doing this sequence many times, it tries to tip in different directions!
I've sent video of problem to Syma, but not heard anything back.

 

[RGJameson]

You shouldn't have to trim anything to get it off the ground. Post the video here so we can see it.

 

[Quadcopter102]

The video is private - we cannot see it !

The information and advice above sound. Flipping on take off is usually due to props in the wrong place.
The are in two pairs one each is marked A or B - the manual shows where they go. I think it front left A front right B and the back is reversed B - A - but check.
Are the props secure with that little thin pin and not just spinning due to enertia?

If the props are OK.. then it may be 1 or more motors are spinning - but not full powered. without power - spin them and listen to check if you hear any rough grating - ie objects in teh motors or gear wheel.

Do you know about Mode 1 and Mode 2? Which are you using? Is you TX red and white or Orange and white? Red and white is newish.. lowered powered and faulty at times....
You can use a X5 series TX if you know anybody who has one.

If none of the above solves the issues - then its faulty and should be returned! You say you contacted Syma?? Did you buy direct from them or from a reseller? If you mean you bought it online from one of the many stores in China...... I have to say my Syma X8W was junk and 4 months on I am waiting for items purchased with a long waited part rerfund to arrive!

 

[HDtallrider]

One last suggestion before you return it. Remove the batteries from the Tx. Set all the trims to center. Replace the batteries. Plug in the quad. Turn on the Tx. After it binds , punch it enough to get up out of the dirty air and see if you can control it then. I would do this outside so you don't have a repeat of Gramps' remodeling trick. If that doesn't work then you have a dud. Start the warranty process. I hope you bought it here and not from China. That could take weeks if you get anything at all.

 

[Marvo]

Here's the link to the video showing the problem
I have checked the configuration of the rotor blades.... I understand "A" & "B" markings etc ... still no joy.

 

[Marvo]

If the link above isn't working try this...

 

[Gramps]

Are you moving the right stick when your taking off? Also what rate are you using high or low?

If you do not touch the right stick and punch it what happens?

Mine did that when I had the 2 rear blades reversed.

 

[Marvo]

Blades are not reversed. Not touching the right stick, and used both high and low rates.
If I punch it, we get a complete 180 deg loop, and it finishes upside down on it's back with blades cutting the grass!

 

[Quadcopter102]

Too my mind... there is not much wrong with the Syma.... it just needs trimming. it has too much forward trim. You need to get it outside or at least get it higher.

When it starts the forward tilt... use the trims to back it off and it should sit down... then add more power and check its movement. Its easier if you get it out into a field.
Another way - which is not perfect - is to get somebody to hold it up by its landing gear and start the motors and adjust trim depending on how the holder feels which way its moving.

In a big field send it up 30 feet or more and hold the trottle in a fixed place to maintain some height.... then where ever its wandering.. counter with trim. Dont expect it to sit in one place and hover... wind will move it around... un balanced props will help to move it. You should be able to give it little left - right twitches with the right stick ( in mode 2) Ditto back or forward.
If you lose it ease the left stick slowly down till the quad lands. If you drop teh stick fast.. the Quad will also drop fast - dont mess about trying to make a smooth landing... let it hit the dirt and stop teh props doing any self destruct - then take a breath .. tidy it up and start again!

In another video - can you take it up 3 feet and hold it there.... if you have too much forward trim... its still likely to be "steering" the quad forward too fast and the counter thrust - which would keep it level... is not able to help.. so it flips.

Centre all the trims left & right - forward and back... then try again.

 

[Marvo]

Hi Quadcopter 102,
Thanks for the reply.... I've used the unit outside too. Tried "punching" it to get some height, but it won't have any of that, turns instantly on it's edge and tries to completely flip over upside down. Best I can do is reduce the motion to a "cartwheel" effect so as not to get too much damage.
I've tried feathering the trim depending which way it favours on lift off, (it's a different direction for each attempt) but no matter how slight the trim it then goes in the opposite direction on restart. I noticed the flag.... I'm in Frankston Victoria, wind at the moment is zero here and I've just spent a good 10 minutes in the park trying at least top get it high enough to adjust... no luck. 30 feet would be great, I can get it about waist high and it's already 90 deg turned!