Help for the new guy?

[dronehopes]

Hi- I'm hoping someone can help the new guy by pointing him in the right direction. My issues seems to be a common one, but here are the details. The last time I used my 3DR was in 2018, and at the time everything worked just fine. I just got it out of storage, wanting to get back into it, but find I can't get everything connected in order to fly. I've tried my original Samsung tablet with the Solo software, and switched to a newer Lenovo tablet on which I installed Solex. I've also tried resetting the 3DR and controller. I boot the bird, then the controller, which just gives me the screen about needing pre-flight updates. Neither of the apps will connect. In Solex I did the thing where you add updates to the menu, and selected Solo as the drone. I get connected to the drone via wifi, using the UDP setting, but it never connects.

I've been through lots of posts pertaining to this, but just came away more confused. Can anyone point me to a clear step-by-step to work this out? Also if I get it working, what specific updates I need to install through Solex?

Current specs:
Solo app: 2.4.0
Solo: 2.4.2
Autopilot: 1.3.1
Gimbal: 1.3.6
Controller: 2.4.2
Controller firmware: 1.2.11

 

[CharlieKeck]

Hi- I'm hoping someone can help the new guy by pointing him in the right direction. My issues seems to be a common one, but here are the details. The last time I used my 3DR was in 2018, and at the time everything worked just fine. I just got it out of storage, wanting to get back into it, but find I can't get everything connected in order to fly. I've tried my original Samsung tablet with the Solo software, and switched to a newer Lenovo tablet on which I installed Solex. I've also tried resetting the 3DR and controller. I boot the bird, then the controller, which just gives me the screen about needing pre-flight updates. Neither of the apps will connect. In Solex I did the thing where you add updates to the menu, and selected Solo as the drone. I get connected to the drone via wifi, using the UDP setting, but it never connects.

I've been through lots of posts pertaining to this, but just came away more confused. Can anyone point me to a clear step-by-step to work this out? Also if I get it working, what specific updates I need to install through Solex?

Current specs:
Solo app: 2.4.0
Solo: 2.4.2
Autopilot: 1.3.1
Gimbal: 1.3.6
Controller: 2.4.2
Controller firmware: 1.2.11

Before going any farther, are you a Facebook user? If so, join "JB's Solo Users Group". All the current Solo experts are active there, and there are several very detailed step-by-step guides there for updating your Solo and getting it flying. It's a "private group", you will be asked several trivial questions to join; owning a Solo qualifies one...this is where you need to be. In short, you will upgrade your machine & controller to Open Solo 4 using your SOLEX, and you'll be flying.

In SOLEX, under "APP SETTINGS", make sure ADVANCED MODE is checked (ignore the warning). In the main screen, you hit the WIFI Settings box, and you should see the controller's hot spot appear. Unless it's been changed, the WiFi password is "sololink".

Also, your tablet running SOLEX should have "Location Services" or whatever enabled.

At that point, after returning to the SOLEX main page, the Solo should connect and download the parameters.

Are you at this point now? Let us know.

 

[dronehopes]

I am on Facebook and recently joined the "3DR Solo Owners Group". Is that the same one?

This is where I end up with Solex. When I hit connect, nothing happens.

 

[dronehopes]

I'm also wondering about the references I see to "Black Cube" and "Green Cube". I have no idea what those are.

 

[CharlieKeck]

I am on Facebook and recently joined the "3DR Solo Owners Group". Is that the same one?

This is where I end up with Solex. When I hit connect, nothing happens.

Yes, that is the group! In your picture, I can't make out the top, it should say "Vehicle Type Is Solo".
I just ran a quick test. SOLEX will connect to the WiFi when SOLO is powered off. After getting to that point, upon turning on the SOLO, it automatically connected after the Solo boots. Not sure why you don't connect all the way, but give it a minute or two.

Question: Are you 100% sure that the SOLO and controller are paired? There really is no reason that the SOLEX shouldn't be connecting if the controller and SOLO are paired and sololink is up.

In the future, avoid doing factory resets!!

As you have the FB group, I'd consider posting with this issue and see what pops up - you'll definitely get help within hours. Meanwhile, I'm trying to duplicate your conditions here.

 

[CharlieKeck]

I'm also wondering about the references I see to "Black Cube" and "Green Cube". I have no idea what those are.

Disregard totally! Unless your SOLO was modified with a Green Cube, it has the stock black cube.
Green Cube involved a complete disassembly of the SOLO for the mod. If you had SOLO new, it has the stock cube.

 

[CharlieKeck]

Disregard totally! Unless your SOLO was modified with a Green Cube, it has the stock black cube.
Green Cube involved a complete disassembly of the SOLO for the mod. If you had SOLO new, it has the stock cube.

Please try this sequence in the exact order:

1. Power off both Solo and controller
2. In Solex, select STOP APPLICATION, do, then relaunch SOLEX. Says Type Is SOLO on the top
3. Power up controller, then select the Sololink WiFi when it appears in the WiFi list
4. Insure the Sololink appears in SOLEX, and UDP shows
5. Now power up the Solo and wait for several minutes.

If it does not connect, either the SOLO/controller are not paired or there is a deeper problem, let me know.

 

[dronehopes]

I followed those instructions. I'm connected to Solo via wifi, UDP is set, when I hit connect it read "Looking for Vehicle... Type: Solo" At the bottom of the screen it shows Profile: None Battery: None. The controller still just shows the "Preflight Update" message. I've left it set for several minutes, in fact the controller timed out due to inactivity. Lights on the drone are red and white. I'm not sure how to tell if the controller and drone are paired since the controller just shows the Solo logo, then goes directly to the Preflight Update screen.

 

[CharlieKeck]

I followed those instructions. I'm connected to Solo via wifi, UDP is set, when I hit connect it read "Looking for Vehicle... Type: Solo" At the bottom of the screen it shows Profile: None Battery: None. The controller still just shows the "Preflight Update" message. I've left it set for several minutes, in fact the controller timed out due to inactivity. Lights on the drone are red and white. I'm not sure how to tell if the controller and drone are paired since the controller just shows the Solo logo, then goes directly to the Preflight Update

 

[CharlieKeck]

With Solo off and upon powering up the controller, does it ever say "Waiting For Solo" once it boots, or does it immediately jump to the Preflight screen?

I have to run out, but will be back and check in about an hour.

 

[dronehopes]

No waiting for Solo, just directly to the Preflight message. I'm out for a bit too.

 

[CharlieKeck]

No waiting for Solo, just directly to the Preflight message. I'm out for a bit too.

OK - I've reached out to the expert on all things Solo and either he or I will get back to you.

 

[dronehopes]

Thank you so much! It really is appreciated.

 

[CharlieKeck]

Thank you so much! It really is appreciated.

No worries, hang in there and it'll get resolved. I'll advise as soon as anything pops.

 

[dronehopes]

Well, I think I just made things worse. I tried removing the controller battery and now I just get a blank white screen and button backlights when the power button is pushed. Ugh. Did I just kill the controller?

 

[CharlieKeck]

Well, I think I just made things worse. I tried removing the controller battery and now I just get a blank white screen and button backlights when the power button is pushed. Ugh. Did I just kill the controller?

Very unlikely you killed it. It's possible that in removing the somewhat tight connector, one of the wires pulled partially out of the male connector. Check that. ALSO, the controller will power up normally without a battery - use your 3DR charger and try that with the battery removed.
Another common issue with the old Solo controllers is a stuck button. Make sure ALL the buttons release normally after depressing them ... it's fairly easy to detect a button that just feels mushy compared to the others...also, I'm sure you know this, but never power up the controller without both antennas firmly tightened.

 

[dronehopes]

I was pretty careful not to pull on the wires. When I plug it into the charger the screen and buttons just light up white. I'll check for stuck buttons and pulled wires.

 

[CharlieKeck]

Very unlikely you killed it. It's possible that in removing the somewhat tight connector, one of the wires pulled partially out of the male connector. Check that. ALSO, the controller will power up normally without a battery - use your 3DR charger and try that with the battery removed.
Another common issue with the old Solo controllers is a stuck button. Make sure ALL the buttons release normally after depressing them ... it's fairly easy to detect a button that just feels mushy compared to the others...also, I'm sure you know this, but never power up the controller without both antennas firmly tightened.

It is also possible that the firmware glitched with battery handling. Unlikely. If you can't get past the "white screen" it is possible to reflash the SD card in the bowels of the controller, but set that thought aside now. Let me know if you recover the controller as described in the previous.

 

[CharlieKeck]

It is also possible that the firmware glitched with battery handling. Unlikely. If you can't get past the "white screen" it is possible to reflash the SD card in the bowels of the controller, but set that thought aside now. Let me know if you recover the controller as described in the previous.

With the battery out it still comes up white on the charger? If you reinsert the battery, with controller off, then plug in the charger, does it indicate charging, or immediate white?

 

[dronehopes]

I didn't try it on the charger with the battery out. I checked for stuck buttons, pulled the battery plug and the connections and pins look ok. Still just goes to white. The reset procedure produces nothing.