backflip on startup

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just finished repairing a broken wire from a crash in a tree,
it had broke the 4pin connector.
the repair went well, we feel, and everything checked out
on startup for a test flight.
satellite indicator was back, battery indicator, gimbal was was working,
9 satellites locked. (new props)

after a few minutes of idling, went to take off and the phantom rolled over
backwards, breaking a few props. UGHHHHH

came inside, removed the props, did a full calibration, restarted,
did a new compass calibration, all looking good, same thing
happens... flops over backwards. now i am thinking i have
a damaged motor?
any ideas?

the initial crash wasn't violent, no gimbal separation other than the 4pin
connector. when running without props, it sounds fine. i did not have
somebody hold the phantom to try to feel which way it was going to go,
but not so sure i need to as it obviously wants to flop over backwards..
help!!!!!
 
oh, and for those that want to know,
the gps wire was extremely loose, and i put
some thick paper to help hold that connector
together.
(we had put the top on for a test but had to remove it
1 extra time and it just fell apart that 2nd time)
 
:D hi Dutch,
A couple of questions for clarification.
Do you do the compass calibration outside after the bird warms up and gets GPS signal? Do you then power cycle and restart?
Also, when you take off, do you goose the throttle or slowly spool-up?
 
did compass cali outside, after warmed up, and good gps...
did not power cycle after that, but i did after the imu full cali,

first flip i took off like i normally would, goosed it a bit,,
2nd time i was more cautious, but didn't break my props either.
 
Make sure you have the top shell installed correctly. It is easy to get it rotated 90 degrees.
 
No room to put in wrong. The GPS cable is very short. Will double check when I get back home
 
It's a good idea to power cycle after compass calibration.
When taking off, I let the props spool-up with a little throttle, then goose it. Don't be shy, get the bird up 25 feet, and check stability.
I also use my case or backpack to launch from as uneven ground can contribute to tip overs.
 
I've had 8 or 9 flights with nothing like this. Is there a way to test each motor in assistant for V3?
 
I don't think so. The ESCs do a self test on startup. Do your lights come on normally?
Is it possible you got magnetic debris in a motor? Have you noticed any temperature difference between motor?
 
dutch said:
just finished repairing a broken wire from a crash in a tree,
it had broke the 4pin connector.
the repair went well, we feel, and everything checked out
on startup for a test flight.
satellite indicator was back, battery indicator, gimbal was was working,
9 satellites locked. (new props)

after a few minutes of idling, went to take off and the phantom rolled over
backwards, breaking a few props. UGHHHHH

came inside, removed the props, did a full calibration, restarted,
did a new compass calibration, all looking good, same thing
happens... flops over backwards. now i am thinking i have
a damaged motor?
any ideas?

the initial crash wasn't violent, no gimbal separation other than the 4pin
connector. when running without props, it sounds fine. i did not have
somebody hold the phantom to try to feel which way it was going to go,
but not so sure i need to as it obviously wants to flop over backwards..
help!!!!!


You don't specify which 4 pin connector you broke, and what connectors you have removed and reinserted in the process of repairing the damage? When replacing my central circuit board, I inserted the M1-M4 connector wrong resulting in what you describe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZkb147 ... b5emIFqPAw see 0:31for the connector placement.
 
You should take the props off and check motor rotation. You can also buy a cheap rpm checker and check idle speed of the motors, if you weight the bird down you can check at higher rpm's. Its really a must have for trouble shooting and diagnosing. A FLIR E8 is also a great tool but the expense is up there, I can monitor the temps of the esc components and determine if anything is getting hotter than it should.

If the crash was violent enough you could have a esc cold solder joint or perhaps the naza could be damaged internally. So many things could be causing it.

4 pin connector? :?:
 
DKDarkness said:
dutch said:
just finished repairing a broken wire from a crash in a tree,
it had broke the 4pin connector.
the repair went well, we feel, and everything checked out
on startup for a test flight.
satellite indicator was back, battery indicator, gimbal was was working,
9 satellites locked. (new props)

after a few minutes of idling, went to take off and the phantom rolled over
backwards, breaking a few props. UGHHHHH

came inside, removed the props, did a full calibration, restarted,
did a new compass calibration, all looking good, same thing
happens... flops over backwards. now i am thinking i have
a damaged motor?
any ideas?

the initial crash wasn't violent, no gimbal separation other than the 4pin
connector. when running without props, it sounds fine. i did not have
somebody hold the phantom to try to feel which way it was going to go,
but not so sure i need to as it obviously wants to flop over backwards..
help!!!!!


You don't specify which 4 pin connector you broke, and what connectors you have removed and reinserted in the process of repairing the damage? When replacing my central circuit board, I inserted the M1-M4 connector wrong resulting in what you describe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZkb147 ... b5emIFqPAw see 0:31for the connector placement.[/quote

That is possibility. Will have to double check that. We put that back at bottom right where we thought it came from ? Can anybody verify that position? Thanks!
 
Just hold it in one hand and give a little throttle you should be able to fell it as you work the controls with one hand.
 
The motor connector plugs into the bottom row of pins of the Naza with the red wire in the first position (M1).
 
The flipping is normally a faulty NAZA/IMU.
This was happening with the S800 (known as the flip of death)
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZkMxGgz8b8[/youtube]

Are you seeing the MC temp warning when doing an IMU calibration when its cold? Take it outside in the cold if you're in the US. Or take the battery out and place it near an air conditioner.
Make sure that the calibration takes no longer than 3minutes and that you get the green ticks.
And find a levelled-to-the horizon place.
 
Do a "mode" check. Wouldn't be the first time the mode has somehow switched.

Also, next test, have the copter held with both hands, outstretched arms held high, by a friend, preferably a fellow Phantom pilot. He'll be able to tell from the torque if the copter is firing all 4 motors correctly.
 
DKDarkness said:
dutch said:
just finished repairing a broken wire from a crash in a tree,
it had broke the 4pin connector.
the repair went well, we feel, and everything checked out
on startup for a test flight.
satellite indicator was back, battery indicator, gimbal was was working,
9 satellites locked. (new props)

after a few minutes of idling, went to take off and the phantom rolled over
backwards, breaking a few props. UGHHHHH

came inside, removed the props, did a full calibration, restarted,
did a new compass calibration, all looking good, same thing
happens... flops over backwards. now i am thinking i have
a damaged motor?
any ideas?

the initial crash wasn't violent, no gimbal separation other than the 4pin
connector. when running without props, it sounds fine. i did not have
somebody hold the phantom to try to feel which way it was going to go,
but not so sure i need to as it obviously wants to flop over backwards..
help!!!!!


You don't specify which 4 pin connector you broke, and what connectors you have removed and reinserted in the process of repairing the damage? When replacing my central circuit board, I inserted the M1-M4 connector wrong resulting in what you describe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZkb147 ... b5emIFqPAw see 0:31for the connector placement.

Success! We had removed the m1-m4 connector for access below it while changing the 4pin gimbal cable . We failed to reconnect in the proper location and orientation! Corrected and new Cali with cold battery
With no temp message and she took off normally! Thanks all ! Virtual gift cards coming your way. Merry Christmas! Hope for some flight time tomorrow.
 

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