Remote drifting

[primoc]

Problem? I noticed that my Mavic Air is turning clockwise on its own. I did some research and testing in DJI flight simulator and came to the conclusion that the problem is in the remote. When I try to push the left stick down, often it also recognizes it as a move to the right (See the video attached). As you can notice, every time I push left stick all the way down, it automatically pushes almost 100% to the right also.

Was unit in a crash? No

What have you tried so far? I tried to calibrate the remote

What device are you using ( iphone , ipad, Samsung , etc)? Xiaomi Redmi

What firmware are you running ( aircraft, remote controller)? Both are updated to latest

What Go app version are you using? DJI GO 4 4.3.16

Any modification? (if so what) No

Did you change anything or install any apps? (if so what) No

Do you have a video or pictures of the problem? (if so post link)
Trying to calibrate the remote

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Final video looks like this (Note that I did not touch a left stick while shooting this video)

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[Moose1967]

Calibrate the controller sticks

 

[primoc]

Calibrate the controller sticks

I did that but it didn't help

 

[Radovan]

I was same problems with cotroller.Controller must cleaning but its not easy.In Serbia for cleaning controllor must pay 20 euros.

 

[Moose1967]

Go do a really good calibration on the compass in a wide open area with no metal or interference around

 

[MikeFreeland]

I'm having the same problem - slow clockwise auto-rotation. Always clockwise, which is suspicious to me if it's a dirty controller.

I found that a quick flick left or right of the left stick stops it, leading me to think that the problem's in the controller rather than some drone setting or imu calibration. I'm also inclined to believe that the problem is mechanical as opposed to calibration (but still, why only clockwise?). I've calibrated the sticks several times, but since the auto-rotation occurs only occasionally for me, proper drone behavior immediately after a calibration doesn't necessarily suggest that the calibration fixed the problem.

So how does one clean a controller? Maybe just rapidly rotating the left stick will clear up dirty contacts? I'm wondering why the right stick isn't similarly affected. It gets as much use as the left.

Bottom line is that any erratic behavior of my Air scares me.

I don't want to be the next moon lander.

 

[FoxhallGH]

The sticks on the DJI controller use 'Hall Effect' to turn the deflections into electrical signals. Hall Effect is all about magnetic fields.
Have you got anything magnetic on or close to the RC Controller???
I had a similar problem when I left a magnetic USB stub in the side port of the controller ...

 

[MikeFreeland]

Ooh that's an interesting wrinkle. I wear a Samsung Gear S3 on my left wrist. It's a monster, and I don't know if this has any bearing, but it charges with an induction cradle -no direct charging connection. I'll try flying without it next time.

 

[FoxhallGH]

Ooh that's an interesting wrinkle. I wear a Samsung Gear S3 on my left wrist. It's a monster, and I don't know if this has any bearing, but it charges with an induction cradle -no direct charging connection. I'll try flying without it next time.

Definitely worth a try ...

 

[Moose1967]

I had the exact same thing and when I did a very good compass calibration out on my woodlot away from everything it was cleared up.

 

[primoc]

I'm having the same problem - slow clockwise auto-rotation. Always clockwise, which is suspicious to me if it's a dirty controller.

I found that a quick flick left or right of the left stick stops it, leading me to think that the problem's in the controller rather than some drone setting or imu calibration. I'm also inclined to believe that the problem is mechanical as opposed to calibration (but still, why only clockwise?). I've calibrated the sticks several times, but since the auto-rotation occurs only occasionally for me, proper drone behavior immediately after a calibration doesn't necessarily suggest that the calibration fixed the problem.

So how does one clean a controller? Maybe just rapidly rotating the left stick will clear up dirty contacts? I'm wondering why the right stick isn't similarly affected. It gets as much use as the left.

Bottom line is that any erratic behavior of my Air scares me.

I don't want to be the next moon lander.

Yes, I also believe that it should be some kind of a mechanical problem. Today I did again all possible calibrations but the problem still persists. And it varies, some flights it happens all the time, some flights almost never. And even if I test a remote in DJI flight simulator, the problem occurs there so it is definitely a remote problem.

So I guess the best option would be to send it for repair? Or is there any other option to try to clean it myself since I would prefer not to pay a couple hundreds of dollars just for what it looks like, is a simple mechanical malfunction?

 

[dawgpilot]

Ooh that's an interesting wrinkle. I wear a Samsung Gear S3 on my left wrist. It's a monster, and I don't know if this has any bearing, but it charges with an induction cradle -no direct charging connection. I'll try flying without it next time.

I have the same watch and have sometimes experienced your issue. Maybe I'll take my watch off next time I fly and see if it makes a difference.

 

[Moose1967]

Before you send it in, try different props ! Maybe you have one different than the others weight wise and you don't know

 

[primoc]

Before you send it in, try different props ! Maybe you have one different than the others weight wise and you don't know

I mean, if the same problem occurs in DJI flight simulator, I would guess that the props are not a problem

 

[Moose1967]

I got the flight simulator as well - if it's doing the same thing there you may have an issue with your controller sticks - that is if you did a controller stick calibration correctly - put a trouble ticket in at DJI if you still have warranty

 

[primoc]

I got the flight simulator as well - if it's doing the same thing there you may have an issue with your controller sticks - that is if you did a controller stick calibration correctly - put a trouble ticket in at DJI if you still have warranty

I see. But is remote's warranty linked to drone's? Because I don't have my original remote as since I lost it and I bought second handed one. And any idea how much would they charge if it is not under warranty? I mean of it will be over 100 usd I better just buy one off ebay.

 

[dawgpilot]

I see. But is remote's warranty linked to drone's? Because I don't have my original remote as since I lost it and I bought second handed one. And any idea how much would they charge if it is not under warranty? I mean of it will be over 100 usd I better just buy one off ebay.

If it's out of warranty, DJI charges a $65 service fee, plus the cost of components. (see attached chart)

I would think the warranty would normally be linked to your drone, but I don't know how they treat it if you acquired a different controller.

 

[Moose1967]

Smart controller is an option now with built in screen - check them out

 

[skyrex]

I had this exact issue a few months ago now - DJI replaced my RC (warranty).

The new one has inspired some more confidence in flight but on the very last flight I was on.
But still I couldn't help but notice that the AC appeared to continue to drift ever so slightly (a lot less than with the original RC).

With a notable amount of us likely to be gents who wear wedding rings... being predominantly on the left hand as per tradition.. which is also the hand that controls the AC yaw in the default "mode 2".
I thought of that during the original RC troubleshooting once I was made aware of the hall-effect sticks, but have yet to test flying with and without anything other than flesh and bone within a foot of the RC.

 

[Manpreet Singh Bhatia]

Problem? I noticed that my Mavic Air is turning clockwise on its own. I did some research and testing in DJI flight simulator and came to the conclusion that the problem is in the remote. When I try to push the left stick down, often it also recognizes it as a move to the right (See the video attached). As you can notice, every time I push left stick all the way down, it automatically pushes almost 100% to the right also.

Was unit in a crash? No

What have you tried so far? I tried to calibrate the remote

What device are you using ( iphone , ipad, Samsung , etc)? Xiaomi Redmi

What firmware are you running ( aircraft, remote controller)? Both are updated to latest

What Go app version are you using? DJI GO 4 4.3.16

Any modification? (if so what) No

Did you change anything or install any apps? (if so what) No

Do you have a video or pictures of the problem? (if so post link)
Trying to calibrate the remote

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Final video looks like this (Note that I did not touch a left stick while shooting this video)

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Hi, I do also get the same rotation issue every time I bring the drone down. Sometimes I get this jerks in mid air too. One technical option is to use EXPO function on controller settings. Make the value to 0.10. since the curve becomes like a log, this makes small input to not have any effect. Although u loose the linear yaw response.
I maybe go for cleaning. Any idea if wd40 can be used to clean potentiometer, since in india we hardly have access to contact cleaner.