MultiWii

Setting up my first tri rotor, on my first multiwii... still a newb to multi rotors in general, so i have much to learn...

I have the hobbyking 328p w/ FTDI & DSM2 port... I flashed it with multiwii tri copter variable pitch FW.

The tri is assembled, and connected properly. All the motors are spinning correctly and the props are also correct.

First issue... as soon as I plug in the board, and the Tx is bound, the board is armed. I was sure that the board required arming, by using the Tx.... not so here, plug and play... kinda dangerous...

The second issue, when I plug in the board to the USB and connect (using the correct port of course) to the GUI (v2.1) I can't seem to get any readings from the board. No Rx signals, nothing, just a straight unbroken red line thru the real time readings window...

As it seems the GUI isn't functional, I tried to trim the model manually. The result was an uncontrollable tri. All the motors and everything worked, it was just waaaaay to sensitive to manage to get it to lift off....

Which leads me to my next question... which channel / setting controls the flight modes... as I cannot read code, I have not been able to figure out how to connect a switch to toggle between flight modes, nor do I understand what my options are here... I am not using GPS or any other sensors, I just want to be ablt to fly, and potentially switch between "beginner mode" and Acro mode" so sto speak. any information on this topic would help ALOT.

Seems like I am so close..... help !

as a newb, forget about variable pitch multirotors.
Get a complete MultiWii firmware set (for the FC and a corresponding GUI), install firmware to FC - then you will be closer

i'd like to forget about it... I have been asked by a friend to help configure this item...I have a number of quads, no MW FC's... so this is a first, and unfortunately I am stuck with the project....

I need to configure this Tri :http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=28389

if I can do that with out using variable pitch, I am good with that... otherwise, I need to remained focused on my goal...

Its impossible for me to configure this unit without use of the gui, so any help in that direction would be most welcome!

VariablePitch TRI is based n MWii1.9.
You must use the V1.9 GUI
V2.1 will not work.

I really don't understand why you want to use variable pitch, the chop you referring to is a normal tri, or will you run it with other config ?

A little misunderstanding on my part... I didn't understand. I now have the FW v2.1 loaded on the board, and have the Tri assembled... and the GUI working. One thing... I attempted to hover the model, and all seems fine... shortly after lift off, the tri oscillates back and forth, rolling from side to side violently ???

I have seen this type of behavior before, on a KK quad. The KK board had been involved in a crash, and was repaired, so I assumed that it was a problem with the board itself, a damaged component or something... with the tri, the board is brand new, but the effect is worse. The quad only did this intermittently, but the tri does it every time. All is well, then everything just goes haywire... any ideas???

search for PID tuning in the wiki

Do you know what "Variable Pitch" really means??

Do you understand P I D tuning at all?

Maybe you should just stick with the KK boards.