Hoverfly Flashing purple LED

[Bartman]

Hi guys,
I've got one of my XY8 coaxial quads all wired up with a Hoverfly Pro board and it was all set to go until I decided to reflash the firmware. Two things happened that I'm wondering about.

1. In going through the steps to do a firmware update I wasn't able to access the tab where I declare what configuration I'm flying. Maybe the board senses 8 ESC's connected and the flat okto and coaxial quad have the same config values?

2. After successfully completing the firmware update I'm getting a flashing purple LED on the FC board and my ESC's are chirping like their trying to hypnotize me.

I didn't see anything similar to this in the FAQ's section of the Hoverfly I thought I'd toss it out there to our forum community.

Thanks,
Bart

 

[Bartman]

I should have mentioned that I've checked my switch positions and auto-level and alt-hold are not engaged when the purple LED is blinking. The board beeps when I try to arm it but the purple LED returns immediately.
Bart

 

[Stacky]

Ive seen that before and that is typically that you have AH engaged. I know you checked it but check it again while connected to the setup software and check when the check boxes are ticked.

Also what version firmware have you got installed?

 

[Bartman]

Thanks for the reply. I hooked it up to the Setup client and could see the ALtitude hold being engaged and disengaged. THe purple light was flashing in both instances. I uploaded firmware ver 4.0 as that was the only version available in the dropdown window.

I'll submit a request for assistance and see where it goes.

Bart

 

[Bartman]

This explains why I couldn't set the motor configuration in the update client

Firmware Update Client Changes
The Firmware Update Client will look fundamentally the same. The one major change is that you will not choose a motor geometry during update. We have moved this functionality to the Setup Client. With the Firmware Update Client running you should update the firmware for your HoverflyPRO and HoverflyGPS boards. Then move on to using the Setup Client.

 

[Bartman]

Problem solved!!

I had installed the Set-up client a month or two ago and was using that version to get my board configured. After updating the firmware last night I couldn't get the board fully configured because I didn't realize that there was a newer version of the Set-up client available also. I just updated my set-up client and ran through the steps to get the board ready and it's all working again.

So, the moral is, a flashing purple LED either means that your altitude hold is engaged during the pre-flight initialization OR the board hasn't been told what format of helicopter it is attached to. I chose the X-8 format for my XY-8 and then cycled power to the board, with that the purple LED was gone.

Will be flying after a quick breakfast.

Bart

 

[Stacky]

Good news Bart, hope the 1st flights go well. Setting the AL can feel strange in terms of the logic of it but if you follow the steps in the manual to the letter you will be fine. As far as the AH goes, its just nowhere near as good as the Naza or Wookong.

 

[Bartman]

Thanks for that.

I'm also finding that the motors won't arm if the throttle isn't low enough so I'm using trim to go to full motors off and then ratcheting up the trim to get the motors turning at idle speed so they can't shut off if I go to idle with the stick while I'm flying.

I'm trying to keep a mental list in my head of things that might help someone converting from Mikrokopter gear and I'll post something when I have time to get it all organized.

Bart

 

[Mactadpole]

Thanks for that.

I'm also finding that the motors won't arm if the throttle isn't low enough so I'm using trim to go to full motors off and then ratcheting up the trim to get the motors turning at idle speed so they can't shut off if I go to idle with the stick while I'm flying.

I'm trying to keep a mental list in my head of things that might help someone converting from Mikrokopter gear and I'll post something when I have time to get it all organized.

Bart

Hey Bart,

Not sure I followed this exactly, but are you trying to make it so that when you have the throttle stick all the way down the motors are spinning at idle like MK does? HFP is not supposed to function like that, when you have the throttle in the full down position the motors should not be spinning. You adjust your trim just enough so that the board and esc's are happy (meaning the esc's arm properly).

Really interested to see your results on the XY-8 with the HFP. If all goes well with the configuration I think you will be blown away by how easy and stable the HFP is!

Best,

Shawn

 

[Bartman]

Hi Shawn,
I've got it set up so when the throttle trim is all the way back, I can initialize the flight control and be ready to fly. I'm then using the trim to get the motors turning and then using the stick to get flying. I can't see having a throttle stick that cuts the motors to off when it's all the way back, no matter how many times you tell me it's supposed to be that way...