Toolstick and Flash Programming Utility

[testle]

Hey guys, when you first plug the brand new toolstick in and open Flash Programing Utility software, do you get this message:

[mCP_X]

Hi
I got that message , and for me the problem was that my ESC battery was not fully charged , try it with a different battery

[testle]

The reason I'm asking is for my first two toolsticks, I got that message and went ahead click yes. The program flashed the toolstiks and gave me the error:





But eventually, I cannot program any ESC with those toolsticks. So this one is the third one and this time I have to be very carefull with any error message.

I tried couple of fully charged batteries, and got same message.

[jfivecoat]

read the first page of the blheli setup. follow all the instructions for setting up the tool stick. You must plug the stick into the esc and then power the esc, last you plug the toolstick Into the computer and load the flashing program and connect.

[mCP_X]

Hi
I also had problems with the USB cable that is bundled with the stick , either using one I had or plugging it straight into the computer made a difference

I will bet that if you are getting the same message with three different sticks , then the problem is not the stick , but either the ESC , the wires , or the computer

can you post photos of your hookups Stick , ESC , ect

[testle]

Originally Posted by jfivecoat

read the first page of the blheli setup. follow all the instructions for setting up the tool stick. You must plug the stick into the esc and then power the esc, last you plug the toolstick Into the computer and load the flashing program and connect.

Did all those readings, actually, I did by the pdf instruction:

First connect the ESC to the Toolstick.
Then connect the Toolstick to a free USB port on your PC.
And lastly connect a battery to the ESC.

Start the ”Silicon Laboratories Flash Utility” program

[jfivecoat]

I dont remember if i got that reprogram the toolstick error or not. Like mcpx said you need to start the process of elimination. Good luck let us know what it was when you find the problem.

[mCP_X]

Did all those readings, actually, I did by the pdf instruction:

First connect the ESC to the Toolstick.
Then connect the Toolstick to a free USB port on your PC.
And lastly connect a battery to the ESC.

Start the ”Silicon Laboratories Flash Utility” program

Hi testle

You are doing it correctly , follow the directions in the PDF

First connect the ESC to the Toolstick.
Then connect the Toolstick to a free USB port on your PC.
And lastly connect a battery to the ESC.
Start the ”Silicon Laboratories Flash Utility” program:

When i was using the bad USB cord , the right side of my Silicon Laboratories Flash Utility program , was greyed out , and the left ( COM 1 ) side was active

once i ditched the manky cord , the right ( USB ) side was active , as it should be , but i got the " the adaptor must be reprogrammed " as mentioned in your first post

also , watch to make sure the stick doesn't go into an error mode ( red flashing LED ) , and if it does , shut down the utility program first , then unplug the ESC battery , then unplug the USB , to clear the error

[testle]

Wish me luck guys , I'm pulling my hair off ( almost bald now ) over tinlking with these things.

I went through 3 diffent computers, with 3 different operating systems ( XP, Vista, Win7), 3 Toolsticks and still geting error messages

I use 30 gauge wires, keeping them short as sugestion between ESC and the toolstick.

With background of electronic tech, I'm pretty confident in my soldering skill ( already repair mcpx servo fets, doing double FETs for one of my "not be able to BLHeli flash for the time being yet" XP 3A

[flixdachef]

Is this tool only good for programming these ESC's or is it useful for other projects?

[mCP_X]

With background of electronic tech, I'm pretty confident in my soldering skill ( already repair mcpx servo fets, doing double FETs for one of my "not be able to BLHeli flash for the time being yet" XP 3A

Hi testle

Believe me i hear you , I have been into electronics since the 80's and was beating my head against it too , It's like how complicated can three wires be.

I kept checking it out with a magnifying loop , and it all kept looking right . My wife took one look at me , and ran , and hid .

I binned the free cable and switched from my Hyperion 240s to a new Hyperian 550 and it has been flawless ever since .

[testle]

Originally Posted by flixdachef

Is this tool only good for programming these ESC's or is it useful for other projects?

It is useful for other devices using progammable SiLabs chips.

That makes me think if I click YES on the box, the Programming Utility will flash the toolstick itself, and turn it to something different to the point the toolstick won't regconise the ESCs?????

[mCP_X]

That makes me think if I click YES on the box, the Programming Utility will flash the toolstick itself, and turn it to something different to the point the toolstick won't regconise the ESCs?????

I was afraid of the same thing when i got that message , but i clicked "YES".

It really didn't seem to change anything , and next time around the loop i got the same dialog box

[testle]

Some pis of my setup:

[jabu32]

anyone check buy the toolstick from silabs? it says $17.50 on their site but when you add it to cart it shows $18.63??

[testle]

Originally Posted by jabu32

anyone check buy the toolstick from silabs? it says $17.50 on their site but when you add it to cart it shows $18.63??

They haven't update the info yet

[jabu32]

what is the correct price?

[mCP_X]

LOL , don't worry about the $1.10 difference of the cart , they are going to slap you $12.00 for UPS , insult to injury , you get to wait a week for the brown santa

[jabu32]

damn 12 bucks shipping. what size crate do they send it in? ill get it through digikey.

[mCP_X]

Some pis of my setup:

Hi testle
every thing looks good , this is the only thing i see that makes me worry , might just be the photo