New member looking for some advice

[WoodHippie]

Hello, I'm new here and I was hoping to get some advice. I have an Air 2S that I bought used. It was in great shape and flew fine. I let it set since last year. Got it out the other day and was hoping to get it back in the air. Turned it on and got everything connected and got 5 or 6 warnings, the main one being the IMU needed calibration. The IMU will not calibrate, neither will the compass or gimbal. I updated all the firmware and reloaded the Fly App, still no go. I've done some searches on the problem and some folks suggested tapping or hitting on the front in the GPS/IMU area. That didn't work. Others suggested replacing the IMU module. I am fine with replacing the IMU if that is the problem. I'm just wondering if that is the problem and if there's a way I can find out. Any advice or suggestions will be most appreciated.

 

[Yorkshire_Pud]

Calibration of the IMU most likely REQUIRES that the orientation of the drone is PRECISELY that shown in the instructions and those orientations probably change during the calibration.
If correct are you correctly orientating the drone at each step?

In addition, with older drones e.g. the phantom 3 series, the accelerometers sometimes got/get stuck and it was/is necessary to give the drone a slap or three in the + & - x, y, z directions to unstick the accelerometer. Obviously how hard a slap you wish to give is a matter of choice but I start with light slap and it has never required what I consider to be a hard slap.

I recollect a thread where what I think was a more recent drone required such a slap.

I have no idea whether or not the need for an IMU calibration can cause a cascade of indicated problems .

 

[Starz]

If it was working fine last time you had it out, doubtful it has some drastic problem.
I would try a firmware refresh via the DJI Assistant.
I’ve not tried the slapping idea, so no information there.
If you are asked to update the firmware, skip that for now.

 

[Cafguy]

Are you trying to use a mac?.................................. Its supposed to work mine rarely does.
If possible go outside and do your calibrations away from man-made stuff.....Concrete and walls do not help in calibration.
I have seen the slap thing work .........Don't slap too hard tho,
I don't think you have an IMU error "out of the box"
Try to refresh the current firmware.

 

[YVRGUY]

WoodHippie, hope you find a fix for the Air 2S. I just wanted to share a little storage thing I do for long terms. I always keep at least two ‘silica gel decadent packs’ 2” x 2” in my carry bags for long terms. It’s just a safe sure in preventing / reducing unwanted moisture attaching to the electronics. Just a thought for the future.

Big Air 2S fan

 

[Meta4]

If possible go outside and do your calibrations away from man-made stuff.....Concrete and walls do not help in calibration.

That only applies to compass calibration.
There are no such requirements for IMU calibration.

 

[WoodHippie]

When I try to do the IMU calibration it will not start no matter how many times I click on it. I've updated the firmware using Assistant 2. I've had it outside trying to calibrate the compass but no luck. I'm pretty sure the GPS is working as I am getting 12 to 15 satellites. I'm thinking about taking the top cover off and checking out the IMU/GPS units.

 

[Cafguy]

If you Think for sure the unit is bad they are easy to get the gps unit runs 70 bucks and the IMU's are 30. It is hard to believe that the unit could fail in storage BUT...... Getting the parts would be the last resort.
If you havnt taken the drone apart before do yourself a favor and use a tiny awl to clear all the epoxy from the screws it saves from stripping them.

 

[WoodHippie]

The thing is I'm not sure it is the IMU. From what I've read on the web that is one of the solutions to the problem I'm having. I've got it apart and am going to check and clean the connections and see what happens.

 

[Cafguy]

I dont think it is either You stated it was working fine when you last used it and sitting there would not break it. I think you most likely have a firmware thing you should start there. Check the connections VERY carefully.
Do you remember the numbers you got?

 

[WoodHippie]

Concerning the firmware, would you have any suggestions on were to start. I did an update to latest firmware using Assistant 2. Actually, I've updated the firmware on the controller and on the DJI Fly app. Also tried another phone (Android). Not sure what you mean about the numbers.

 

[Yorkshire_Pud]

When I try to do the IMU calibration it will not start no matter how many times I click on it.

If it applicable, I don't have an Air of any sort with which to experiment, can you confirm that you are using the correct orientation of the drone when trying to start the IMU calibration?

 

[Cafguy]

What errors did you get when you started the drone ....this will tell you whats wrong.
If you are getting compass, IMU, and GPS errors together you either Have a firmware problem or a bad\loose connection.
Has this drone EVER been in a crash?
Hard landing? ( You can tell about hard landings by lifting the drone while on and turning on the bottom light. Gently tap on the light. If you get a flicker the drone most likely has had a Hard Landing.) This will dislodge connectors. You need to go over them all.
If it was working before Your problem is not with any hardware.

 

[WoodHippie]

If it applicable, I don't have an Air of any sort with which to experiment, can you confirm that you are using the correct orientation of the drone when trying to start the IMU calibration?

I did not have it in the proper orientation, assumed it would at least try to start then give me some kind of warning

 

[WoodHippie]

What errors did you get when you started the drone ....this will tell you whats wrong.
If you are getting compass, IMU, and GPS errors together you either Have a firmware problem or a bad\loose connection.
Has this drone EVER been in a crash?
Hard landing? ( You can tell about hard landings by lifting the drone while on and turning on the bottom light. Gently tap on the light. If you get a flicker the drone most likely has had a Hard Landing.) This will dislodge connectors. You need to go over them all.
If it was working before Your problem is not with any hardware.

I've never had any crashes or hard landings since I've had it. I bought it used on Ebay so I can't swear to what went on before I got it. As best as I remember the warnings were IMU, GPS, gimbal not connecting. Got it apart right now, will put it back together and go from there.

 

[Cafguy]

I would put it back together and 1. try Yorkshires advice and make sure you have done the Calibrations correctly.
Make sure the firmware is installed correctly and then try again. if that will not work after a few attempts I would think from the errors you are getting the components are loose. Unless something happened in storage (moisture).

 

[WoodHippie]

I would put it back together and 1. try Yorkshires advice and make sure you have done the Calibrations correctly.
Make sure the firmware is installed correctly and then try again. if that will not work after a few attempts I would think from the errors you are getting the components are loose. Unless something happened in storage (moisture).

Thanks, will get it back together and see what happens.

 

[Yorkshire_Pud]

I did not have it in the proper orientation, assumed it would at least try to start then give me some kind of warning

Glad you got the IMU sorted, did clearing that clear the other problems or allow you to complete any calibrations the were still required?

I see you have started a thread on the DJI forum, does that mean I was mistaken in thinking that your post, #14, meant the IMU calibrated ?

 

[WoodHippie]

Glad you got the IMU sorted, did clearing that clear the other problems or allow you to complete any calibrations the were still required?

I see you have started a thrad on the DJI forum, does that mean I was mistaken in thinking that your post, #14, meant the IMU calibrated ?

Tried putting the Air 2S in proper orientation and calibrating but no luck. Actually, I took the drone apart down to the GPS board and IMU. Checked all connections, looked it over good, put it back together, still no luck. The reason I posted on the DJI forum; I was hoping one of their people (DJI) would comment.

 

[Cafguy]

When you turn everything on what errors do you get If your drone shows you a 40012 error then the IMU will need to be replaced.