LibrePilot Forum

Users => Vehicles - MultiRotors => Topic started by: paulpegg on May 08, 2016, 06:48:40 pm

Title: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: paulpegg on May 08, 2016, 06:48:40 pm
I recently bought an Eachine 250 ARF Racer and am having trouble getting it hooked up to my Taranis Tx and X8R Rx. I am new at this but am an engineer and started with computers in the 1960's.

Here are a few things I have done:

1. Went to FrSky site and installed latest firmware to Taranis. Taranis still shows old firmware version and date! Beats me.

2. Bound Taranis to X8R. I bound the Tx and Rx as D16 CH1-8. LED on Rx goes green when I turn on Taranis so that looks ok.

3. Downloaded Libre Pilot and calibrated ESC's. At least I think I did. They beeped endlessly during the process and I finally stopped and went on to Setup the Transmitter. (The ESC's beep when I power it up and the motors turned like they should. The green light is on steady and the blue light blinks in .8 second intervals)

4. I followed all the LP instructions to set up the transmitter but when I get to the point where you move the throttle to confirm the Tx is working nothing happens. It looks like the Rx is not communicating with the CC3D FC. I am using the PPM cable in slot 8 with no jumpers.

5. So I I performed a Rescue in LP. Checkmark says successful download but now the board is not recognized at all. Green LED is on bright and blue is a fading blink. X8R has power but ESC's do not beep and motors do not twitch when battery is plugged in.

How do I recover from this failed rescue and get the FCB to communicate with the Rx?

Thanks for any help you can give me. This has been a very frustrating three weeks.
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: hwh on May 08, 2016, 06:59:02 pm
...How do I recover from this failed rescue and get the FCB to communicate with the Rx?...

You probably replaced the bootloader but didn't load the main firmware.   With the cc3d disconnected go to the firmware tab and click "upgrade and erase".  Connect the cc3d when it tells you to and it should load the firmware and be recognized again.

edit:  for the receiver problems, after you go through the wizard again if it doesn't work post a copy of your uav config file here.   With the cc3d connected File -> Export UAV file.   That lets us look at all your settings and hopefully see what's wrong.
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: paulpegg on May 08, 2016, 07:23:21 pm
When I used Upgrade&Erase LP asked for the file location. I had a hard time finding it since LP did not automatically point to the proper folder. I finally downloaded one from the site which I installed. After that nothing works. Attached is a screen shot as it sits now. None of the buttons are active except for Upgrade and Upgrade&Erase. I thought that LP would have included the correct firmware in the program download but I can't find it if is is there.
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: f5soh on May 08, 2016, 07:31:41 pm
Yes, no need to download a firwmare from one site you cannot thrust and also a .bin where you should only flash .opfw files

All firmwares are packed inside GCS to avoid mistakes, like the one you did...

Try:
- Disconnect board
- Hit Upgrade&Erase
- Connect board

- Wait until board remain connected, the erase part take maybe 30s

Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: paulpegg on May 08, 2016, 07:38:41 pm
I did that. The led's light up but the program times out and says the board did not power up and I need to do it manually. What do I do next?

Thanks for your help.
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: f5soh on May 08, 2016, 07:39:45 pm
Did you disconnect the board before you hit Upgrade&Erase ?
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: paulpegg on May 08, 2016, 08:18:43 pm
Yes
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: paulpegg on May 08, 2016, 08:22:35 pm
Sorry, i just noticed your edit asking for the uav file which is attached.
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: f5soh on May 08, 2016, 08:25:13 pm
You say nothing works and you post the config file ?

What you need exactly ?
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: paulpegg on May 08, 2016, 08:35:38 pm
I replied to hwh's request above. I need to figure out how to get the proper firmware loaded on the CC3D since LP no longer senses when the power is on.
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: f5soh on May 08, 2016, 08:39:54 pm
The UAV config you posted is nothing special, all defaults you can find after erase.

What happens after you do a Rescue ?

- Rescue button
- Connect board

Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: paulpegg on May 08, 2016, 08:51:08 pm
LP times out and says board is not connected, But it is. The green led is bright and the blue one is blinking fast. No other commands are available.
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: f5soh on May 08, 2016, 08:56:34 pm
If the rescue do not work at all, try another cable.

Rescue works the same as manual update, the board need to be connected after you hit the Rescue button
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: paulpegg on May 08, 2016, 09:13:32 pm
There is nothing wrong with the cable. it worked perfectly well until I tried to upgrade the firmware. I had previously calibrated the ESC's and only had trouble getting to the transmitter setup.

I did connect the board after I hit the rescue button. Right now the CC3D is powered but LP in manual mode is waiting for a board to be connected. Rx also has not power.
Nothing works.
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: f5soh on May 08, 2016, 09:20:06 pm
When you connect the board for rescue, the board should be alone. This means no external power except from the USB connector.
If the rescue do not work, the only solution is programming the bootloader using the mainport.

All is explained here, you need a usbserial :
http://www.southquay3d.com/index.php?route=news/article&news_id=9

I wonder what is the LPFirmwareUpdate4-7.bin you flashed in your screenshot.
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: MultiBen on May 08, 2016, 10:14:16 pm
Paulpegg, I have the same setup that I play with ( eachine 250, taranis plus, x8r ) everything works out of the box and if we can get you back to a default setup we can get it working.

It looks like you might have flashed the Flight Controller with the .bin from OpenTx?  Any LibrePilot GCS you download or build has has matched firmware for your flight controller, you should never download a firmware separately unless you have the matching ground station.

Disconnect all cables to the flight controller  (I am assuming you are using PWM as the x8r doesn't support PPM stock. ) and make sure you have no flight battery plugged in, only the usb cable is needed.

Start up your GCS and go to Firmware Tab, press Halt and wait, you should get the Open/Flash/Retrieve buttons along with a progress bar.  Select Flash and it should re-flash the board.  What do you get?

Ben
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: paulpegg on May 09, 2016, 02:43:25 am
Ben,

My Taranis is an original, not a Plus. Previous advice said to change the cable. There was nothing wrong with the cable but the USB hub it was connected to had hung. I got back on track and got LP to flash the proper firmware and reconfigured using PWM ( was using PPM and your post is the first time I saw that this would not work with the X8R). So the ESC's are calibrated and the onboard accelerometer etc all work using the scopes in the software. BUT, when i go to Setup Transmitter I have the same problem that there is no response when I stroke the throttle as requested.
This is where I have been for several weeks and just can't figure out how to overcome it or test for what might be wrong. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Paul
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: hwh on May 09, 2016, 03:12:44 am
Glad to hear the revo is responding again  :)

Now that everything except the receiver is working again please post the current config.  With the cc3d attached, file -> export uav settings.  That allows us to load all your settings rather than go back and forth asking about this setting and that setting.

Since you're now using PWM I assume you have at least the first four channels connected to the corresponding pins on the cc3d as in the wiki at https://librepilot.atlassian.net/wiki/display/LPDOC/CC+Hardware+Configuration about half way down the page there's info on wiring and what pin is what on the cc3d.

Have you verified that the receiver is working by connecting one of the ESCs directly to the receiver?

And just because I'm curious where did you get whatever that file was that you flashed?  I couldn't find anything with a name anywhere near that in a web search.  If you ever need any firmware or bootloader images it's on the same page as the GCS download, https://librepilot.atlassian.net/wiki/display/LPDOC/Downloads just further down the page.

Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: paulpegg on May 09, 2016, 08:19:11 pm
Thanks for the link to the wiring setup. That was my problem.
Now that it is wired correctly I can get into the transmitter setup and the sticks are recognized but they are reversed. How do I fix that? Also, the board does not arm. I used SWG which is a 3 position toggle but nothing happens when I disconnect the USB and restart the quad.

The blue light on the FCB is still blinking at .8 seconds. I think this is an error mode. One thing I am unsure of is how long the ESC calibrations should take. They beep in a sequence 1 - 2- 3 -4 and then the sequence repeats but some of the tones are different. After a minute or two I clicked on stop and went on. Was this a mistake?

Attached are the two files you asked for.

I don't remember where I got the underlying file but the file I sent you was a backup of the firmware on the board at that time. It no longer matters so I moved on.

Thanks for your help. This is the first forum i have come to for help that actually responded in any way.
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: hwh on May 09, 2016, 10:52:42 pm
...sticks are recognized but they are reversed. How do I fix that?... Also, the board does not arm...
config -> input tab -> rc input sub-tab.  All 4 lines have reverse checked, uncheck them.   While you're on the input tab go to the arming settings sub-tab and change from always disarmed to whatever you like.  The setup sets always disarmed as a safety measure.  Then click save at the bottom.

...The blue light on the FCB is still blinking at .8 seconds...
About one a second or so is normal, booted up, everything fine  :)

...One thing I am unsure of is how long the ESC calibrations should take....
I'm always unsure myself, if they work they're good.  I'm sure someone here knows the tones but I don't.

...This is the first forum i have come to for help that actually responded in any way.
We try.  :)  Once in a while we miss a post somehow and it doesn't get answered for a while but usually someone will answer fairly quickly.  The project is spread around the globe so someone is usually awake and hanging out here.
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: MultiBen on May 10, 2016, 03:51:34 am
I'm glad you've made progress - based on Hank's last post it looks like things are covered now and you should be in the air.

For the ESC on the eachine 250, I listen to the tones and let it cycle twice, listen to the tones and you'll hear when it repeats.

Its a good community to be a part of!

Ben

Ben,

My Taranis is an original, not a Plus. Previous advice said to change the cable. There was nothing wrong with the cable but the USB hub it was connected to had hung. I got back on track and got LP to flash the proper firmware and reconfigured using PWM ( was using PPM and your post is the first time I saw that this would not work with the X8R). So the ESC's are calibrated and the onboard accelerometer etc all work using the scopes in the software. BUT, when i go to Setup Transmitter I have the same problem that there is no response when I stroke the throttle as requested.
This is where I have been for several weeks and just can't figure out how to overcome it or test for what might be wrong. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Paul
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: paulpegg on May 10, 2016, 10:27:11 pm
I am in the air!! Almost. It starts up but does not fly straight up. the number 3 motor doesn't seem to be spinning in sync with the others and the copter drags the right rear corner along the ground. Increased throttle and it flips over the the back right.

Once I sort this out the next challenge will be to get the video to connect with the screen and be able to turn the lights on and off.
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: MultiBen on May 11, 2016, 12:08:19 am
Is #3 motor spinning in the correct direction?  #1, #3 CW, #2, #4 CCW. Check your props also.

Ben
Title: Re: Eachine 250 racer multiple problems
Post by: paulpegg on May 11, 2016, 01:44:32 am
Props are correct. All spin in correct direction but #2 seems to be sluggish. It doesn't spin up as fast as the others. (Holding copter in hand (carefully) and stroking throttle.)  I just did another test and #2 is not making any lift. It spins very slowly.