🔋 No voltage in OSD? 🔋
So very recently I had to rebuild by main build as the 5v BEC on my FC gave up the ghost and died 👻 This isn’t normally a problem cause [...]
So very recently I had to rebuild by main build as the 5v BEC on my FC gave up the ghost and died 👻
This isn’t normally a problem cause we all backup are configs from the CLI, right ?
Well I couldn’t find a backup so had to guess my PID’s, Rates, Modes, etc… But that isn’t always a bad thing. Some times it good to wipe the slate clean and start again and discover something new maybe, some new rates?
So before I work out how to restore my OSD voltage reading. Lets go through backing up your betaflight config. So maybe you won’t have to in the future.
Backing up your config is only 3 clicks and 1 command ( yes I counted ). Just follow the GIF be low for step by step directions… simples.
OK so the above image is what I’m getting in my OSD…
No Avg Cell Voltage, No Mah Drawn and No Current Draw.
But this could just because I haven’t setup the Power & Battery Tab correctly.
Well that’s not good….. 🙁
Betaflight is setup correctly and we have already seen that the correct elements are on the OSD.
But if you look at the top of that image Betaflight isn’t showing any voltage with a lipo plugged in.
Which means my FC is damaged and the Voltage/Current sensor isn’t working 😱
How did this happen Dead on arrival (DOA) or did I kill it soldering on the XT60?
Now that the FC is fully fitted I can’t send it back 🙁
I always test a new FC with a USB and betaflight to make sure its all working and holds a config.
But that doesn’t test the XT60 main input and when you solder the board you invalidate any warranty.
What I should have done is used crocodile clips to test the board more.
TOP TIP: Clip to the FC FIRST then plug in a lipo, I would also use a smoker stopper.
Nope that at all. We still have timers on the OSD or on our Transmitters.
I like to use a Throttle percentage based timer on my X9D+
Higher the throttle faster it ticks down…
0% Throttle = 0 seconds on the timer > 0 seconds real time.
50% Throttle = 1 second on the timer > 1 second real time.
100% Throttle = 2 seconds on the timer > 2 seconds real time.
So the higher your throttle the faster the timer ticks down. So if your cruising around at 40/50% your timer lasts longer cause your not draining your lipo as fast.
The hardest part is working out how long the timer should be set for.
So I’m going to link a timed stingerswam video and let him explain the how to set it up as I copied his method, if done correctly you land at the same voltage every time. Well at least I do.
Just cause something isn’t working as expected doesn’t always mean your done.
Sometimes you can just work around it.
I won’t be in a rush to replace my FC but if this was on my Long Range build.
I would be swapping it straight out.
Test your hardware as much as you can before hitting it with the soldering iron.
WARNING – Ranting below – WARNING
So who watched the BBC documentary “Britain’s Next Air Disaster? Drones“?
I got no more than 5 minutes into the program and it started to anger me and set the negative tone for the rest of the programme.
This shows is really biased to all the negative points of drones and doesn’t cover any of the really good points, I will.
Its like a 65mm Toothpick but bigger but is bigger better?
The PHANTOM is a mini freestyle quad supporting either 65mm or 2.5inch propellers on GR1103 8000kv motors. The build can either run on a 2S 450mah or 3S 300mah lipo.
The 16x16mm stack comes complete with:
You can either buy :
PNP (Plug and Play) and add your own Receiver.
BNF ( Bind and Fly) fitted with an Frsky XM+ Receiver.
STABLE F411 Flight Controller(16*16mm)
STABLE F411 BLheli_S 4IN1 12A ESC(16*16mm)
STABLE F411 VTX 5.8G 200mW(16*16mm)
This little guy in small, light and fun to fly so whether your looking for a first time buy and what to start with something small or looking to add something fun to your fleet.
The Phantom could be for you?
OK so look what dropped today on Facebook.
Caddx are releasing their own HD Box Camera to compete with the likes of Foxeer Box 2 and the RunCam 5.
Release Date: 10th July 2019
So Caddx are holding back on the finer detail at the minute but this is what we do know
So for now only time will tell how well it works and how it compares but I’m hopeful for now.
Caddx have now published more details on there site, so lets take another look.
Reading through the information it doesn’t look like Caddx just had FPV in mind but also has a live streaming mode.
The Dolphin and be connected to the internet via a QR Code ( could be generated from a phone app ) on “internet mode” it sets the Resolution to 1920×1080 @ 15fps and can use Cloud storage ( free for 3days ).
The Starlight illumination feature looks to offer good vision in night.
This camera may not have the best features or the highest resolution but does it still have a use to somebody within the hobby?
I think so. You could use the camera on your more “RISKY” flights where you don’t want to risk your good camera, or fly over water it is water proof after all. How about on a 3inch build? it only weights 49g
Whats this coming in on the horizon?
So the story as I understand it is Felix from Flyduino.net the developer of the KISS series of hardware has started his own company called FETtech with two of his colleagues.
So what are they bringing to the table, to start with they have there own 4in1 35Amp ESC with some unique features ( keep reading I’ll explain in a bit ). In the future there will be a matching FC and a separate frame all things to look forward to.
But don’t worry KISS guys Felix has a contract with Flyduino to work on the KISS Series in the future.
Right lets have a look at some specs then move on to some more detail.
The FETtecESC represents the next step forward in ESC technology utilising sine wave control technology. It supports KISS and Betaflight and runs at Dshot 2400. It supports 3-6S input and if running on 6S, it also has direct mounting options to add capacitors to ensure your circuits are running clean. Bottom line this is one awesome ESC to get the most out of your motors.
Most ESC control the FETs by simply turning them on and off which works, this means the power change as the current moves form one phase of the motor to the next is very abrupt (image below left graph). This effect is what causes the whining on brushless motors. A sine wave controller on the other-hand, still uses FETs to control the current to various phases in the motor, but the power change is applied smoothly (image below right graph).
Felix is yet again moving ESC technology on and using modern hardware giving us 128kHz PWM making sine wave possible giving us smoother running motors, fewer current spikes, which requires fewer capacitors.
If it has the reliability and ease of use of KISS then its definitely worth a look, now I don’t fly KISS hardware but maybe I’ll be willing to give FETtec hardware and there new features a try.
Lets us know what you think over at the dronetrest forums will you buy into the new hardware?
Flysky are preparing to release there new transmitter – The PL18 Paladin
The PL18 is a full size Transmitter with the look of a school transmitter with a TFT Screen attached from reading the spec this is some of the features you should be expecting.
Now GoPro have stopped selling the Hero 5 sessions. RunCam have released a new HD camera.
How will it hold up against the other cameras out there as more and more start to appear on the markets.
I’m a fan of the smaller box style cameras over the bigger wider camera’s like the hero 7. I think they are just a better fit for what we need, lighter and smaller.
Looks like Diatone is picking up there game. Look at this thing its beautiful made from Toray Carbon, but will it be strong enough to stand up to the abuse of FPV. Will you fly it or just mount it on your wall and admire it?
(more…)Looks like Emax have been at it again and improving on the already very good and popular TinyHawk now releasing the TinyHawkS. In black, cause everything looks better in black. And best of all it is the same price as the original. 👍
(more…)So you’ve got bored of you default Taranis splash screen. Contained within this short guide is the information you need to create your own and upload it to your radio.