CSC Doesn't Start Motors on P2V+

[alombard]

Hello - apologies for the cross post but I was hoping to get some feedback to try tonight.

Currently I'm having a problem getting the motors to start when executing a CSC. This has actually occurred twice in the last 3 weeks I've had my V2+ and the symptom is the same - on CSC typically just the camera rotates slightly but nothing else.

The last time this occurred I noticed in the RC Assistant that the TX signal was stuck all the way to the left. After trying to calibrate the led on the controller went a yellow / green and stayed that way. All other sticks combinations would register - everything that is except the thrust axis.

I "fixed' this last time by reloading the firmware on the controller, calibrating in the RC assistant as well as the Phantom assistant and that resolved things.

That said it happened again yesterday after a day of flying prior - no warning - except this time reloading the firmware isn't working and I'm getting no motion on the TX (vertical) axis on on the left stick (in Mode 2). Calibration simply doesn't work and I am not getting a signal in either the RC assistant or the Phantom.

I'm highly doubting that the controller is the problem seeing as this has happened before and a hardware issue would generally be consistently "broken". I'm leaning towards a software issue / calibration issue but I do have a few questions.

1.) Has anyone else seen this?
2.) Is there a way to avoid this in future?
3.) Does anyone have suggestions on how to fix as I'm grounded at this point!

One other odd thing I'll throw to the Gurus on Phantompilots that may be related is that I did insert an SD card while the phantom was on (by mistake) the evening prior. I'm not sure if this is related but mention it given that the gimbal / camera are related to the controller and motion - as well as the fact that the camera is the only thing that moves slightly on CSC (as it did the last time I resolved it).

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions (or if this is in fact a noob question!).

Andrew

 

[PAdronie]

Am I correct that your Phantom is only 3 weeks old?
If so I would advise that you return it for two reasons: 1) this sounds like one of the buggy issues Phantoms/DJI are known for and 2) the more people return everything defective to DJI, the more they will hopefully step up their QC!

 

[alombard]

Thanks Padronie. So your advice would be to try nothing and instead contact DJI?

 

[alombard]

Other advice?

 

[Madwak]

Other advice?

Seeing as it has happened before I would be checking the connections in the TX, you're argument about it not being a hardware problem doesn't hold water as a "loose connection" stays a "loose connection" until it becomes a "broken connection" and could explain the problem that you have

 

[alombard]

Thanks for everyone who took the time to comment.

I *think* I resolved this last night (haven't had a chance to test with the Phantom yet) but I now have a "green" led on my controller which was yellow prior. I managed to find the manual for the Phantom 1 and following the instructions on page 7 I manually calibrated the controller.

In case this document disappears or moves here are the steps I followed to resolve the controller issue: (Yellow Led, No throttle, No CSC, no Engine Start (all seem to be similar symptoms for the same issue around the web)).

From the document:

1. Set the switch S2 at the OFF position, and the switch S1 at the GPS position

2. Push the Throttle stick to the top position, and push the Pitch stick to the top position. Keep the Pitch
stick at the top position manually since it can return to the central position when released.

3. Turn on the Power Switch of the transmitter, you should hear the indicator sound of “Di—Di Di” from
the transmitter repeatedly. Toggle the switch S2 to the CL position, you should hear an indicator
sound of “Di” from the transmitter, in this case, the transmitter has entered the calibration mode.
(During this period, the Throttle stick and the Pitch stick must be kept at the top position all the time.)

4. Release the Pitch stick and pull the Throttle stick to the central position. Toggle the switch S1 to the
ATTI position; you should hear an indicator sound of “Di” from the transmitter. Then move all of the
sticks throughout their complete range several times. After this, put the Throttle stick to the bottom
position, and toggle the switch S2 to the HL position, you should hear an indicator sound of “Di” from
the transmitter, in this case, the transmitter has been calibrated successfully.

Hopefully this can help someone!

Andrew

 

[Dadcat]

2. Push the Throttle stick to the top position, and push the Pitch stick to the top position. Keep the Pitch
stick at the top position manually since it can return to the central position when released.

4. Release the Pitch stick and pull the Throttle stick to the central position. .... After this, put the Throttle stick to the bottom
position ....

If you have to "pull the Throttle stick" to the center, you either have a faulty controller or you have modified it internally. Both sticks on the controller that comes with the Vision+ are self-centering in both directions. This would seem to indicate that there is a mechanical problem with the left stick on your controller.

If you didn't modify it on purpose then you should get it replaced and quit screwing around with calibrations.

 

[alombard]

Thanks Dadcat. I returned the remote after discussion with B&H - the new one arrived last week and works just fine!