CAUTION!!!! Never use a cheap programmer for KK2 firmware updates.

[rokit5]

Having used my HK programmer for my 9X project I thought I';d buy a cheap programmer from ebay as the waiting time was shorter...Big mistake.
Turns out that the KK2 board can still say that the firmware upload has completed but have bits missing meaning the board will malfunction.
In my case after doing all the callibrations and PI settings I plugged the LiPo in and the tricopter just throttled up luckly/unluckly for me missing my face/eyes but one of the props hit my arm...12 stitches later 5 in one laceration and 7 in the other I reupload the firmware using the programmer from my 9X project...Hey presto no issues with the KK board.
Looking around the internet on other forums this has been an issue for some time with various incarnations of malfunctions and with various programmers but not with the HK programmer.
From what I saw and remember the KK2 board didn';t go into safe mode once the LiPo was plugged in, be it an issue with the signal from the Rx (OrangeRx) or just an issue with that part of the firmware but the problem didn';t arise whilst setting the board upso could have been an issue with the setup process, which oddly is the same process with all my KK2 boards but this is the first board I have used a cheap programmer to update the firmware.
Draw up your own conclusion but from what I can see:
.Use only the HK programmer and not a cheaper version.
.Check the Firmware packet size in the KKflash tool software to see if they match. (maybe a noticable difference, not sure)
Don';t stand over the craft when you plug the LiPo in...Lesson learnt.


The Paramedic did a good job at lining up my tattoos but apparently was crap at taking up trousers.

****Update****
KK2 v1.5 firmware packet size is 32112bytes so its worth checking that the software has flashed it correctly and its transfered all 32112 bytes of information.

[Biffa]

Not that it';s going to be much help, but apparently chicks dig scars...

[macspite]

OUCH!   

The only consolation may be that with scars and tattoos you should be able to get served first in most pubs you walk into 

A heavy lesson / reminder  for you and all of us to take the props off next time you are doing anything to the ';copter with a battery connected ...

Hope you heal soon and it doesn';t hurt too much.

[Gaza07]

Ouch hope it heals up quickly and thanks for letting people know 

[rokit5]

OUCH!   

The only consolation may be that with scars and tattoos you should be able to get served first in most pubs you walk into 

A heavy lesson / reminder  for you and all of us to take the props off next time you are doing anything to the ';copter with a battery connected ...

Hope you heal soon and it doesn';t hurt too much.

I was going to fly it, but tis true...Caution must be taken with the setting up.

[SimonS]

I';d say that it is probably the board rather than the programmer. I had my quad power up on me while i was adjusting some settings (v 1.5).  Fortunately, as my hand was already close to the centre of the quad I was able to hold it down.
I also had it go into safe mode in flight. That cost me two arms and three props.

Failed again.

As a result it is stuffed at the back of a cupboard.  It might as well go in the bin.  It cannot be trusted.

[Balders]

Don';t take this as a dig, as it';s certainly not intended to be, but hopefully it will serve as a reminder to everyone to take props off to test new stuff out.

I have been lucky so far, but WILL be taking props off from now on when I do anything.

What sort of props were they by the way? Plastic or carbon?

[peter_a]

I`ve just received my own battle injury , only slight compared to that scar , But has taught me not to under estimate the danger of spinning prop .

[guest325]

I have to agree 100% about taking props off with electric power, thing is that they don';t stall like ic the just take more current until something gives (usually skin or flesh), that';s what I see as being the only real downside of electric powered models.

[rokit5]

Don';t take this as a dig, as it';s certainly not intended to be, but hopefully it will serve as a reminder to everyone to take props off to test new stuff out.

I have been lucky so far, but WILL be taking props off from now on when I do anything.

What sort of props were they by the way? Plastic or carbon?

Plastic props.
I was going to fly it not set it up that was all done, This was for its first flight.
No point in removing the props if your going to fly it.

[XH558]

Not a quad - but I was maidening a Delta prototype which I built to try out elevons ready to build a possible scale Vulcan - it had one pusher prop at the back under the fin...

Flying locally on my own - Prop going at full chat - launching - no finger grips built in to the underneath - big mistake - hand slipped and the prop caught me across the base of the right thumb which stopped the prop with a flesh jarring thump :)

Had to bind it with my hanky as best I could - pack stuff up one handed - climb back over the fence with all my kit one handed - and drive home one handed 

Wife drove me to hospital and I had several stitches much to the amusement of the nurse - ';playing with toy planes'; etc ...

Another scar from this vicious hobby ... and another lesson learned - build in finger grips on a pusher   

[Col_M]

Ouch! it goes to show these things are far from toys.

I';m always going to test after making changes with props off I think, I';ve seen enough stories of people getting bitten.

[rokit5]

Ouch! it goes to show these things are far from toys.

I';m always going to test after making changes with props off I think, I';ve seen enough stories of people getting bitten.

I';ve got four KK2 boards and this is the first time its happened, the first time I';ve used a different programmer. On a test flight too, no problems whilst setting up whilst the props were off...****** thing knew I think.

[Col_M]

I';ve got four KK2 boards and this is the first time its happened, the first time I';ve used a different programmer. On a test flight too, no problems whilst setting up whilst the props were off...****** thing knew I think.

Ah ok, that';s worrying, I';m glad I';ve got the programmer from HK now.

Hope your arm heals up soon with no complications.

[fruitsalad]

ouch that looks nasty..
hope it heals up well..

[firey1]

I have learnt over the last 2 years after working on helis that even the first plugin of battery i leave the props off and spin up first as a test
makes you more aware when your playing with 500-1200mm rotor spans 

[N7KI]

Beware the attack of the quadcopter...

[rsmith21]

What would be helpful is a description of the offending item :) , is there some way to ID it and where did you buy it from, how much is cheep.

[SimonS]

Yes, it';s called a KK2 and it';s available from Hobbyking.  It has a mind of its own and will spin the motors while supposedly in safe mode and randomly go into safe mode in flight.

There are other similar threads on other forums with graphic pictures of the blood letting.

[rsmith21]

  Not the board Simon, the programmer, I hope you were winding me up,  :evil

[SimonS]

No, I am being serious.  Over the last 8 months or  so there have been numerous reports in various forums of this board doing unexpected things and in some cases injuring their owners.

Stick with your Naza.

[Hands0n]

Is it the board or is it the latest version of the firmware (1.6?). I started out with the KK2 and it didn';t do anything like this. But I only used 1.6 for a short while before replacing it with a HK MultiWii Pro 2.

I had my first prop strike two weeks ago while trying to debug a fault with the quad on the dining table. The props were necessary but I took my eyes off the aircraft for a moment. Only a skin graze. Nothing close to the OP.


Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

[rsmith21]

No, I am being serious.  Over the last 8 months or  so there have been numerous reports in various forums of this board doing unexpected things and in some cases injuring their owners.

Stick with your Naza.

I';m 90% complete on the KK2 build. I suppose I should complete it now and be very careful with the testing and if its dodgy it will be easy enough to convert to another NAZA .

I';m beginning to think that because this hobby is using so many sophisticated \ robotic parts there will always be an element of failure that could be harmful, they have to be treated with respect.

[John A]

Uh, question, does everyone use ESD handling protocols when handling a KK2 PCB?

[Ross]

Uh, question, does everyone use ESD handling protocols when handling a KK2 PCB?

......or ANY board with chips on..........Probably not.. Much the same as not taking advice about removing props if working on the  machine and going to run the motors..... (or not).

Nasty cuts there.  Imagine that in the face!!

[james111]

My girlfriend sent me a email off sky news the other day this is what it said shocking really

Teen Killed By Model Helicopter In New York Park

Roman Pirozek, 19, was flying the toy in Calvert Vaux Park in Brooklyn when the accident happened.He is thought to have lost control of the helicopter while performing a stunt, causing its rotor blades to strike his head and throat, the New York Daily News reported.His father is the vice president of the local radio-controlled helicopter enthusiasts'; club, Seaview Rotary Wings Helicopter Club, which uses the park as its base.A spokesman for the Academy of Model Aeronautics in Muncie, Indiana, said he thought Mr Pirozek';s death was only the second caused by a toy helicopter in the US

[Ross]

Saw that one last week but they say anothermodeller  was killed in Germany last month by a model...not seen it.

[BadgerG]

WOW! Glad it didn';t do more damage. Hope you heal quickly. I just ordered a progammer just like the HK one because I bought a cheapo programmer and couldn';t get it to work for flashing speed controllers. Glad I did. The cheap one is going in the trash. Really sorry for you. I have gotten bit a few times, but nothing like that! Okay I will remove props from now on while testing.

[jimbo385]

WOW! Glad it didn';t do more damage. Hope you heal quickly. I just ordered a progammer just like the HK one because I bought a cheapo programmer and couldn';t get it to work for flashing speed controllers. Glad I did. The cheap one is going in the trash. Really sorry for you. I have gotten bit a few times, but nothing like that! Okay I will remove props from now on while testing.

Where did you get your programmer from? I';m looking for one. I cam across the following on Fleabay and wondered if they wwould work.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USBASP-USB-ISP-Programmer-Cable-Converter-AVR-ATMEL-/171253746319?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item27df84ca8f

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USBASP-USBISP-Programmer-Cable-10-pin-to-6-Adapter-Atmel-AVR-ATMega-ARDUINO-/141189515734?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item20df8d09d6

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USBASP-USBISP-AVR-Programmer-cable-6-pin-Converter-Arduino-KK2-0-Multiwii-/290927870577?pt=UK_Computing_Other_Computing_Networking&hash=item43bca70271


Thanks.

[guest325]

Got mine from Squirrel labs, works just fine!