ELEV-8 kit nearly ready to fly
![David Betz](https://forums.parallax.com/uploads/userpics/893/nN1UDRLBNVC24.jpg)
I got my receiver cable situation resolved by taking Ken's suggestion and sanding down the corners of the connectors. I updated the firmware on the HoverflySPORT board and got it working with the radio and verified that the propellers are spinning in the right directions. The only thing I have left to do before trying to fly it is to fasten the receiver and battery. I can fasten the receiver with tie-wraps but I'm looking for a good way to fasten the battery that makes it easy to swap batteries. What is a good way to mount a battery so that it can easily be swapped? I've ended up placing my battery below the HoverflySPORT board.
Comments
And start your first flights on an area where you are surrounded by soft grass. Ideally, you'd have a low-cut golf course putting green about a few feet of diameter - very level - and grass about 6-12" tall around to soften landings. Just start to hover gently, and don't freak out when it's actually in the air. Lots of pilots either launch it into the atmosphere or let it slam to the ground. Don't be nervous - we can replace/repair any parts on this rig easily. It truly flies beautifully once you get a feel for the controls.
Ken Gracey
Anyway, at the moment I'm grounded since one of my attempts resulted in the ELEV-8 flipping over and breaking two of the propellers. I have a crash kit so I can get flying again but I'd like to come up with some theory as to why I'm having so much trouble controlling it before I risk any more propellers.
I also found early on that I had a couple of the connections wrong. Carefully go through and make sure your ESC's are attached to the proper "legs" (I had one wrong - oops) and that caused an immediate flip as soon as I tried to take off - with the gear switch in the "normal" position. I would have sworn they were right, but after practically taking the whole thing apart, I found some problems.
Also carefully look at the connections to the board from the ESC's. I had my gear in the wrong place - really messed things up.
Edit: Slowly raise the throttle the first time while holding if there is a problem with your settup (it wants to lean a particular direction) then throttle down and find your problem. Also make sure the trims on the sticks are all zeroed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_UJtbGraAg&sns=em
Less recommended is to make your rudder less sensitive. Add some expo to it in the TX.
My first couple attempts to fly looked much like your video. The problem turned out to be swapped cables on the ESC side of the hover fly. I strongly recommend double-checking the connections. It shouldn't be anywhere near that difficult to control if everything is correct.
BR
Unfortunately, that means that swapped cables are not the source of my problems. Maybe I need to buy the RealFlight 6 simulator and practice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyYujjP5J-k
I can send you another one. Let me know what else you need via e-mail and we'll get you back in the air by the weekend.
You might need to crash and burn a bit before you fly. . . or get a simulator.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=5691
This looks the same as the ones that came with my kit but is a different color. I'm assuming that is all that is different and that this would be an adequate replacement for the one I broke, right?
Also, I think I may spring for a simulator to avoid these expensive learning experiences! :-)
When you put the shaft back in try to keep track of where the flats are so that they line up with the set screw holes. Make a mark with a Sharpie or something on the shaft.
Those little clips can be tricky. Needle-nose, small flat blade screw driver and tweezers may be useful. Once you get them on use the needle-nose to squeeze them closed a bit more. Also, don't forget the bronze(?) thrust washers that go on before the clip.
I don't think those are the same motors, although I can't find the original page for the red version anymore. IIRC, the red version has a higher Kv rating (so the blacks are actually better for quads).
But then again, the reds that I ordered in December are listed as 860Kv on my invoice, so it may be the same as the black. Do you want to be the test guinea pig and buy one to compare?
If they do have different Kv ratings then they won't be compatible. You can't mix and match.