Next steps Archives

GTRacing Gaming Chair Update

GTRacing Repair Update

GTRacing Chair Frame Blunder

Gear – GTRacing

So, here is the GTRacing Update. GTRacing Chair Parts Replaced.

It may be premature, but, good on you GT Racing! Dare I say GTRacing made it right? The chair is back together, holding weight as it should. No lean, squeezing, bending-feeling or crash. That’s good, we have a fix. In hindsight, while being desk chair free for a week or more, is not ideal.

The second “chair part”, the one not broken will be relegated to the game and electronics drawer. It goes with the other unused cables, plugs, charges, wires, random batteries etc.

While we have your attention, we will be trying other GTRacing parts, chairs etc,. A full listing will come, however, a sneak peek may serve its weight in gold here… Check out the latest merchandise after the GTRacing Update, and give us a shout if you would like to purchase our gear – new products next quarter.

Side note, with the GTRacing gear, we are looking to sort out some USB devices, stickers and magnets, depending on demand. Let us know what you think about the merch, or if you’re looking for something special, a one off, special order on GTRacing – https://gtracing.com/. If you’re interesting in our new chair, check out our new GTRacing chair sporting new GTRacing ergonomic mesh.

SPOILER – Fast forward, gear adjustment, learn about our new GTRacing Mesh back chair with the lounging feature and footrest posted 6/2024… enjoy!

iRobot Roomba 900 Series Teardown

Refurb Process, Maintenance and Care

iRobot Roomba 900 Series Teardown

Lab Work – iRobot Back At It

Got a broken robot? We can help! Some might say that’s the worst, but fear not – the iRobot – 900 Series is here to save the day.

Let’s start by fixing this thing with an iRobot Roomba 900 Series Teardown. The great thing about iRobot/Roomba products is that they are easy to fix! Unless the board is fried, the main housing is smashed, or the plastics are destroyed. Even in those cases, parts are fairly easy to find. The key is to source, clean, install, and maintain what you have. Most, if not all, of this particular Roomba was fine. A good cleaning at the end of the repair was worth its weight in gold.

Robot Teardown and Repair

Teardown

Battery

Cleaning Bars

Bin

Repaired

Test Run

For those of you who don’t regularly electronics, robots etc. weekly, monthly or ‘NEVER’… friendly reminder, whatever the electronic device may be, they do yeoman’s work if you take care of them after every one or two uses. Additionally, the more you maintain them, the less you will have to throw. Remember, no pain, no gain.

A few tools to mention below, reiterating the previous comment, these are fairly simple to fix… for now. Learn the art of robot care, become a ROOMBA master sensei. This is a huge advantage for iRobot:

iRobot Home App
Philips Screwdriver (Rechargeable Drill* DeWalt 20v)
iRobot – Brushes, collector rollers, caster wheel and filter
Cleaner – Windex
Cleaner – Sprayway
Compressed Air

Links, Conclusion and More Repairs

In closing, I’d like to share some other articles, more recent articles on robot repair, 3D printer upgrades RC (radio controlled) and robot repairs, check out these articles.

Moreover, let’s look at a Bench Power Supply – Matrix Bench Power Supply, the need to power on electronics when the damaged robot or device is on the bench in pieces. Next, and one of my favorites, the Maytronics Dolphin On repair, explore water intrusion and effects of water intrusion, water damage and power unit swap. How about the Ender Direct Drive Upgrades – TPU Post Processing Update, a 5 part series on filament types, application of filaments, upgrades, troubleshooting and more.

Final link, check out the EMAX TinyHawk Repairs… more fixing, soldering, and flying. There are more articles in the TinyHawk series, approximately 6 or 7. Be sure to check those out, as well as the iRobot series continues. More recent work, but it helps tie in ‘process’ and troubleshooting unknown errors and testing.

iPad Mini4 Screen Swap

Let’s Replace the Screen and Digitizer, iPad Mini4 Fix

Digitizer Screen Swap

Lab Work – Digitizer Replaced

iPad 4 Mini – Digitizer Swap

Take a peek under the hood and check out the iPad Mini4 – Screen Swap timeline. From start to finish, it only takes a quick 20-30 minutes to complete. Just remember to remove the power flex connector before the screen/digitizer flex connections. We have included a followup picture in the timeline that demonstrates the recommended tools and method for removing those flex connections. Additionally, when dealing with the button assembly housing and home button, be sure to handle them with precision and care. Taking care of the button and its connections will make a significant difference in the long run.

Packing Tape
Heating Element – Water Based, or Heat Gun
Pryor triangles
Suction Cup/Pry Clamps
Tech Screwdriver set
Curved Tweezers
Pressurized Air
Anti-static Wipes

iPad Screen Repair

Tap Screen

Heating Glue

Start Removal

Shim Screen

Unscrew Shield

Gain Access

Digitizer Connector

Digitizer Cracked

Let us know your thoughts on the moderate difficulty of The iPad Mini4 – Screen Swap if you are knowledgeable in this area. More Apple tear downs and repairs, like this Late ’18 MBP Battery Swap or M1 Chip Touchbar swap. There are more, like this Mini 4 digitizer repair, which takes approximately 20 minutes from start to finish. If you encounter any problems, Apple Self Services options are available, as well as Apple Parts – – case you encounter any difficulties or obstacles. Feel free to reach out to us, as we are more than happy to assist you!

D90 Firmware Update

Nikon D90 Support and Software Upgrades

Update – Firmware v2.0

Materials – D90

D90 Archived Update

First, it’s time for an update. It has been a few years since I last updated the software on my Nikon D90, so the time has come to do do. Since the camera itself has been archived by Nikon, we will treat this article as a reference materials as well. While the D90 is a cool piece of gear, we also want to assist those who are looking to preserve their cameras. Therefore, the focus of this article has shifted a bit. It is now centered on firmware, where to find the downloadable content, and how to continue maintaining the D90. Let’s make sure we update the D90 firmware from version 1.1 to version 2.0.

The D90 has been archived by Nikon, and you can find more details on the Nikon D90 Website. Check out the archival pages for more information. I am sharing a few photos of the D90 a.k.a “Dub9” DSLR. Can I call it a “Workhorse” still? It may not have been at the top of the market in its day, but with a little love, care and a few minutes, you can bring your D90 up-to-date with the D90 Firmware version 1.1 update. When updating, make sure to use the correct SD cards to protect your memory cards and camera equipment.

D90 Update

Update Camera”

Covers On

Updated

Don’t forget to leave a comment! Also, be aware of a few “gotchas” during the process. Backup all photos and video before starting. It’s best to back up before beginning. Remove any add-ons and modifications where applicable, especially any aftermarket parts and accessories that are attached. We want to have a common baseline before the firmware update. Reinstall aftermarket parts and accessories after the update process is complete. Test out anything you think might need a few extra minutes. Otherwise, after the firmware update, you should be good to go! More on updates, FAA Drone Safety Updates, a how-to on the multimeter or AF 312 wiring schematics.

As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?

Late Macbook Pro Battery Swap

Inspect And Fix: Late MBP Battery Repair

MBP 15″ Swap

Lab Work – Late MBP Battery Swap

The teardown and do the Late MBP Battery Swap Repair

Let’s get it! Before we begin, below are photos of the repair process. We are working on a 2013 MacBook Pro “15 Retina laptop with a new battery. Please ensure that you have selected the correct replacement parts, preferably OEM battery parts.

Find The Right OEM Parts, Find Primary and Secondary Parts

First, it is recommended to use OEM Parts, and even a second-hand OEM battery may be a better choice than non-OEM part in this case. OEM parts can be purchased from various websites such as eBay, Apple Parts, Apple Self Service Website, and iFixIt. When performing the repair, it is important to be cautious and take your time. Power and grounding are crucial, so be careful not to energize parts once the case has been unscrewed and removed. Additionally, it is helpful to have a few other items on hand for the repair.

Tools and Repair Kit for the Late MBP Battery Swap

Some other tools to have around the shop might include the Jakemy screwdriver kit, which contains Torx, hex and star bits. These are key for newer technology bolts and screws used in the assembly process or to hold hardware to the board. Additionally, it’s important to have glue tech adhesives and glue release, gloves, safety glasses, and a welding/soldering mat. These are all useful bare minimum tools to have, including glue release, a tech screwdriver set, and glue adhesive.

Jakemy – Tool Kit 99 Tool Kit
IFixit Tool Kit – (ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Repair-Business-Toolkit/IF145-278?o=14)
Tech Tool – Cutting Mat
Ground Wristband
Electronic glue, glue adhesive release
Focal Fossa – 20.04 – Ubuntu
MacOS Snow Leopard

MBP Swap

MBP Unscrew

Battery

Remove Glue

Macbook Pro Battery Replacement - Un-glue Battery process clean up

Glue Remover

Late MBP Battery Swap - Macbook Pro Battery Replacement

Remove Battery

Swap, Replace Battery

Ubuntu

Apple Certification, Apple MacBook and Robot Repairs

At this point, I’ll assume you are interested in repairs and may want to learn more? Equally as important are the OEM parts as the knowledge to do the repair yourself, intelligibly. Are you searching for parts for your own device? For more detailed information on the Late MBP Battery Swap and the power on and boot process. Check out IOS certification, Apple Certs. Lastly, have a look at this particular MacBook Pro “15 Retina tear-down via IFixit MacBook Pro “15 Retina Late ’13 Tear Down.

In conclusion, more tear-downs and repairs, check out the iPad Mini Fix, Roomba 900 Series Fix or some of our latest MBP Screen & Keys and MBP Touch bar fix. Enjoy! As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?

Refit EMAX Flight Controller

Cut, Fit & Refit

EMAX THS & Flight Controller Board

Lab Work – EMAX Flight Controller

ReFit EMAX FC

I thought we could revisit the EMAX FC repair on the EMAX THS. I’ve want to follow up on the previous post, focusing more on the specific, showing the repair process and refitting the EMAX FC. Along the way, I’ll share additional photos of the process as well (in case you come across this article and are in a similar situation with a failing FC). Let’s cover the entire process from start to finish – disassembly process, cutting soldering, and test flight. Once again, soldering/replacing the EMAX AIO FC. Enjoy the photos.

Drone Repair Photos

New Parts

THs

EMAX FC

Drone Frame

Add Connections

Reattach Power

Once you have all the parts, fitted, soldered and ready for flight, we will need to configure the FC. Rest, bind, configure and fly, in that order. Check out the EMAX FC and BetaFlight post for more information. You can also learn more about the repair, configuration process and in-flight troubleshooting. If you are having troubles, log into the EMAX Support Portal ) for assistance with your EMAX products. Lastly, I want to reiterate the steps to fix the FC – Support EMAX THS, remove EMAX FC screws from the Drone PC frame, Cut/Add Connection to Board, Re-Attach New Power Connector with the Battery Carrier”. Time has moved on since the original post, I wanted to share other Emax content where applicable. If you’re looking for Emax content, give these a shot (in reverse order from this postings date) – Emax Fix Part 1 and Part 2, Quadcopter Rewire, and the TinyHawk 2.

As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?

EMAX FC and Betaflight

Install EMAX Flight Controller with BetaFlight

Fixed: EMAX & Configurators via BetaFlight

EMAX – Betaflight

Betaflight Config – Today, we (you and I) tackle some drone issues… make/model drone controller configs ((same drone, FRSKY controller profiles)), soldering/replacing EMAX AIO FC, and BETA config issues. Photos to follow.

In the meantime, sit back and relax, enjoy… enjoy the pain, the torment, cause I’ve been at this for days… Literally, days. Nothing but borrowed time; borrowed not wasted! Link above will get you your very own Betaflight configurator via Chrome extension.

FC And BetaFlight

Receiver/Modes

BetaFlight

PID Mode

BetaFlight Notes

Like most things, there are more ways to make your cake and eat it. The Chrome extension is helpful when bouncing back-and-forth between systems/releases/drones etc. I run Big Sur MacOS, Ubuntu Linux and a Win Server 7… it’s handy here, as the config remains the same, helps to maintain a certain sense of sanity. Especially when you’re a NOOB.

Two, from time to time, I run my Win7Server via MS Remote Desktop or Linux instance via (https://www.virtualbox.org) – Oracle’s Virtual Box. One advantage might be number of USB ports available… as you know, most MacBook Pros are limited to 3 of 4 USB-C ports. Unless you run usb ports, which I don’t care for (B.S. but that is for another day). Anyhow, regardless of how you run Betaflight, be aware of the nuances, versioning and pitfalls with each new iteration or release. Take notes, take screenshots, vlog about it… anything to help you remember the ‘deltas’ (change) over time. These will come in handy the next time you crash or repair your drones. Notes and support can be found here: Betaflight – Github Notes/Docs Moreover, issues came up when I swapped AIO boards, soldering power and reconfiguring modes.

For more information, I posted more about the config, more on eMAX TH2, other eMAX updates, various configs like EmuFlight and BLHeli, look for 8/17/2020 post – eMAX Fix updates Part 1 and Part 2.

Smart Device Support With Legos

Create A Tablet Base

Workshop Side Projects

Lab Work – Lego Device Housing or Base

Lego® Base Mod update… it’s been awhile since I’ve posted any information or updates on the tablet/device base, so here it is base mod 2.

Situation – think fast, tablet housing. Need a handsfree, desktop friendly table housing.
Challenge Lego Base Mod 2 – build a tablet housing (landscape orientation only) to house an iPad. Regardless, or irrespective of what model or make, we had an iPad, make something that will work in 5 mins. Go!
Accessible materials – Legos®, Toothpicks, Pipe cleaners, various
Go!

First, while the Lego Base Mod 2 challenge is primarily for prototyping, try it for yourself. I’ll pull this forward, as I talked about buying bricks 300 pcs set or in bulk (4lbs) if need be. It’s handy to have bricks and Lego parts around the shop, a few bricks, some connectors and you’ve got you very own DIY project build. Moreover, if this isn’t your style, we recommend getting your hands on the Brenthaven.

Secondly, I’m pulling this content forward, second edition accounts for ‘tipping’ and/or stability issue, number of bricks, screen angle and orientation. Issues, devices would tip or fall forward/backward depending on how the user might set the device. Reduced a few bricks, however most were repurposed as support columns or ‘feet’ which helped acute screen angles. Moving forward, mod features portrait and landscape viewing.

Thirdly, caveat, charging cord need was nixed, user will have to set the tablet down when charging or charge in landscape only. There will come a point, at some point, we will include a charging cord mod down the road.

Finally, the previous Side Project Lego Tablet Build article for reference. Or just start here, let’s check out a Lego mobile board housing! Or model train depot!

Build A Lego Train Depot

Bench Solder Station Build

AC Gilbert Lego Train Depot

Lab Work – Ready For Service

BOOM! Soldering Station Done, let’s do the Lego Train Depot.

It’s always great to have Legos handy, especially for building the Lego Train Depot. This model features a big smoke-stack and a unique, oblong, and somewhat unstable shape. This is where Legos come in handy. With a few blocks, you can create your very own DIY solder station. You can buy a 300 pcs set or purchase Legos in bulk (4lbs) if necessary, along with some connectors. You can find sets at garage sales or use ones you already have in storage. Look for bargains to gather the pieces and parts needed for these projects builds using Lego bricks..

For this article or application, I believed that stability would be crucial. We needed something to immobilize and stabilize the train while it sat on its top. Ironically, the train spent more time upside down than right side up. This allowed us to solder the necessary wires, clean debris, and wipe away the age. Yes, the model train spent most of it’s time on the upper ‘casting’ (locomotive mold) so that we could access the electronics housed within.

Depot Pics

Train Wheels

Re-solder

Do you enjoy Lego, Lego building, etc.? See other Lego builds, side projects, tablet base, board housing and more. Enjoy! Don’t forget to leave a comment on our x account, @salleecreates. Let us know what you’re thinking!

Running Debian Buster OS

Qualcomm SnapDragon 410c Running Debian OS

Debian Buster

Lab Work – Running Debian SnapDragon

Full Update: Flashed Debian Buster, installed, updated and running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 410c.

Full run down every step forward in running a Debian ISO on a Snapdragon 410c. I’ll through in the Raspberry PI as well. Treat lightly, here we go! Two IoT devices running Debian the same way. Speed and performance are fantastic, clean and uneventful. However, as with anything, problems come and go. The issues I encountered were minor Uneventful, minor, minor issues… more user related. Versus, compatibility issues. For example, I ran into an apt-secure(8) issue, among other minor open source hardware/software compatibility issues. Some research helped me find the solutions I needed. These minor issues shouldn’t deter anyone from flashing Debian on an IoT device. This is the puzzle or strategic side of technology that I enjoy. It’s all part of the territory. Instead of uneventful, it should be described as smooth sailing, as sailing has its own challenges.

In hindsight, it’s been a l while since I used Debian, so you have to ‘roll with the punches’, minimizing the damage or redirecting the challenge. Like most IoT device installs, you have to work through the error codes and fix what you can as the optimal scenario unfolds (flashing Debian onto a mobile/IoT device like SnapDragon or RPi).

Overall, things are running as expected. Next on the list is a full upgrade/update for the trusty Raspberry Pi4B and other OS systems via virtual machine or appliance.

As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?

Galaxy s10+ Damage Video

Nokia 3310

Gear – Galaxy s10+ Damage Video, hot swap for the Nokia 3310

A Galaxy s10+ Damage Video… Time to switch to backup to the backup phone, Nokia 3310, as the Samsung S10+ lost power, its glass is damaged, and more.

Quick Take

The Samsung Galaxy S10+ is now DOA at this point (time of post), damage is beyond repair (insurance will cover a replacement). So, it’s time for a phone swap, the video is short, showing the S10+ damage, but more importantly, we’ve got a back up phone ready to go. Time to send out the old Samsung S10+ to be replaced and swap in a fan favorite, the Nokia 3310 3g version. Let’s move on, the new version, same old workhorse of a phone. Never would I think of swapping a Nokia for a Samsung… However, no phone, means no business. The S10+ is/was in this case, a great smart device. The only hang up is the Google-fied version of a Samsung Phone. Moreover, I can’t get much out of it if you don’t have a Google account to shop, download and run apps on the phone.

Damage Inspection

The Galaxy s10+ Damage Video doesn’t show the internal damage all that well, more the surface screen and lack of ability to show a picture on the screen. Let’s change that, with a Nokia swap.

Next, these phones are legendary, long battery life – check, cool games – check, texting/sms – check, radio – check. What more could you possibly want out of a smartphone. Did I mention it can even take a fall from 5ft (assuming normal drop patterns and free fall speeds etc.,)? This Nokia can take a lot of punishment. Batteries are replaceable too! Finally, a moment of nostalgia, I remember those days, unlimited talk, text, snake… back up battery just in case.

Finally, I wonder why the world moved on from smartphones like the 3310? For phone, a bit of nostalgia, ASCII art can be fun to create on the Nokia 3310. Well it’s time to get back to work, Nokia swap done and now its time to make some calls.

Post updates, interested in more Samsung related materials, check out Samsung Next Generation phones, like the s215g and reasons to upgrade to the latest and greatest.

EMAX Fix – Part 1

EMAX Repair Start

Hack-A-Thon Part 1

Lab Work – EMAX Fix – Part 1

On The Bench – TH2

Assess The Damage, Teardown

Back from the airfield, EMAX Fix – part 1. Be sure to check out the rebuild of in this series in the EMAX Quad Motor Rewire Video posted just before.

The airfield was clear, with no traffic, especially over in the helicopter and quadcopter area, so we were good to go. I unpacked the TH2 from its flight bag, got it out and up in the air with no problems. After a final check of the batteries and controller, we were ready to go. The weather was clear, and according to the flight radar, it was a clear day with mild temperatures and wind gusts of around 2-5mph. So, up we go!

Teardown

Reattach Antennae

Solder Antennae

Antennae Position

Lift is good, strong, and perhaps the easiest part of controlling the drone in flight. These drones when properly tuned , offer a smooth and vanilla flight experience. Be sure to check out the binding process using BetaFlight to bind/connect the flight controller to the remote.

There are a lot of things happening at once when flying the EMAX drones. You have to be mindful of your location, both as you ascend and descend. The flight went well, as planned/expected. I did a few loops, full power, turns, and hard bankings just to set the pace. Don’t forget to check the battery warning before your flight.

Power Leads, LED’s

Clip Leads

Resolder Leads

Clean Power Leads

Set Leads Properly

LED Seated

Now, at this point it was time to bring the TH2 home safely. As you can imagine, trouble came knocking. Damage report, minor issues included 2 LED strips out, severed antenna, severed power leads loose (+positive lead), and burned or malformed poly-frame. Don’t forget, this might be a good time to talk about light weight, super adhesives like Starbound – Super Fast. Which can be used, sparingly to tack down the led leads. We fixed the issues by clipping and prepping for new wires, ordering new LED strips and poly frame, replacing the antenna, re-soldering leads, and shrink-wrapping wires where applicable.

Similar Emax status update, time has moved on since the original article and I wanted to share additional Emax content where applicable. If you’re looking for Emax content, give these a shot (in reverse order from this postings date) – ReFit Emax Flight Controller, Emax Fix Part 1 (this article) and Part 2, Quadcopter Rewire, and the TinyHawk 2.

Wrap Up Part 1

Find EMAX parts, and more, through our Amazon Affiliate links, or visit the EMAX – US Store. For additional reference, check out the UAV Performance software used to update and run the EMAX TH and FRSky Taranis QX7s controller or more from the devs of Betaflight. Own it and have fun!

EMAX Fix – Part 2

TinyHawk 2 Repair, In Progress

eMax Fix – Hack-A-Thon Part 2

Lab Work – eMax Fix – Part 2

On The Bench – EMAX Tiny Hawk 2

In this case, we are addressing the second half of the build. Just to clarify or set the stage we have returned from the airfield with the eMax TinyHawk 2 in disparate need of repair. this is eMax Fix – Part 2. This is not the first time, nor the last time we will have this drone on the bench for repair. If you are interested in getting into drone flying, check out more EMAX Drone Kits, Drones and more here.

Total Damage, Repair

While difficult, soldering in new, nano-sized parts on these micro drones requires serious patience. Looking back, the drone may have encountered a gust of wind or air under the drone motor poly-frame; it’s hard to say. The crash wasn’t as severe as others, but the drone ended up sustaining more damage than usual. We’ve had to replace a fan blade, FC, or motor from time-to-time, but nothing like this.

Power On, Visual and Manual Checks, Power Down

LED’s Confirmed

Power On Chimes

Remove Battery

Read eMax Part 1 if you would like. Also, be sure to watch the successful rebuild video for this series EMAX Quad Motor Rewire Video which was posted just before the wrap-up article.

Additionally, similar Emax status update, time has moved on since the original article and I wanted to share additional Emax content where applicable. If you’re looking for Emax content, give these a shot (in reverse order from this postings date) – Drone Accessories, ReFit Emax Flight Controller, and TinyHawk 2.

Wrapping up the final steps, we encountered a few minor issues: 2 LED strips out, the antenna, replace positive and negative power leads, same for two of the motor wires, and a burnt out/malformed poly-frame. To fix these issues, we clipped and prepped for new wires, ordered new LED strips and a new poly frame, replace the antenna, re-soldered leads, and shrink-wrapped wires where applicable.

eMax Quad Rewire Video

eMax Quadcopter Rewire, Resolder & Power On

Patching Up the eMax Quad, Watch the eMax Quad Rewire Video

Lab Work – eMax Quad Rewire Video

We cover the eMax Quad Rewire Video for future reference… following the crash, a few activities are in store…

Quick Take

Time to replace the eMax TH2 air frame, flight controller (FC) or FC Board, motors, motor wires and fan blades. Here’s a quick eMax drone rebuild.

A quick peek underneath, revealed a few more items, copper leads, LED’s, alarm and flash FC board data to get the drone back to working condition (or as expected). This post really celebrates the fix itself, showing the motors work properly, alarm for arming/disarming the drone for flight and visual confirmation the LED’s do in fact work as expected.

Visual Inspection

The video, although short, helps to describe working condition, press play to reveal post soldering work on the bench and FC updates via BetaFlight. Time has moved on since this original video/video post, however, I wanted to share other eMax content where applicable. In fact below, there are a few links to see the work in progress or the actual fix while on the bench (which is a three part project). So, give those a look for more background or context for the final post here.

If you’re looking for eMax content, give these a shot (in reverse order from this postings date) – eMax FC, eMax Fix Part 1 and Part 2, Quadcopter Rewire video (this post), and the TinyHawk 2 mini project. More to come, stay tuned.

Lego Board Housing

Board Box

Borg2Borg Lego Board Containment

Lab Work – Lego Board Housing

Lego Board Housing by Borg2Borg

Who’s in for our own @LEGO_Group – lan.lego.com/clubs, Borg Housing? Anyone? Anyone? The goal of the group is to combine Lego and technology. For those who enjoy SciFi or Star Trek, you might appreciate the Borg references. So, imagine Legos and IoT boards coming together – BAM!

Lego Housing

Surrounding

HDMI Ports

Second Tie

Arrow Case

Although small, the Lego BORG housing is truly impressive. It is my own version of the BORG spaceship, capable of holding two IoT boards the @Raspberry_Pi #RPi4 And @Qualcomm #Snapdragon410C. I have also included a picture of the original Snapdragon case by Arrow – Snapdragon. Additionally, take a look a touch screen housing by Arrow – Touch Screen Housing. Comparing Arrow to the Lego Board Housing, Lego wins hands down! Both devices are currently running the latest version of Ubuntu IOT OS, allowing me to easily flash/re-flash Android and Ubuntu if necessary. It’s pretty cool. Or, if you’re looking for other work, like tear downs and Apple Repairs, check out those now.

Lastly, we create a variety of items out of Lego for the office, such as computer housing, controllers, train and IOS iPad Stands and other projects more. Give it a try, see what you can come up with!

As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?

DJI Phantom 4 Flight Test

DJI Phantom 4b On The Bench

Full Flight Test, Gimbal Fixed, New Lens Filters

Lab Work – Gimbal Issues

DJI Gimbal Fixed, Let’s put the Phantom 4 through it’s paces.

Quiet morning, a great day for a flight test. We are here at the airfield to see if the recently fixed gimbal passes the test. Pop opened the box, placed a battery, retrieved the transmitter and headed to the launch pad. The goal is push this Phantom 4Pro, test the gimbal mechanics at flight speed and put the drone through its paces. We take the DJI Phantom 4 out for test run following its time ‘in the DJI shop’ for repair. See our previous post specifically on the gimbal issues. Unfortunately we were not able to capture video of the gimbal issues.

Drone Shots At The Airfield

Take Off

45 Degree Angle

Flight Pad

Let’s move on. Here are a few photos that will have to do in lieu of the video. The same goes for a quick snap of the new lens filters. You can find information on PolarPro and specs on those here. Anyhow, if you have similar issues, its best to reach out to DJI if the device is still under warranty. If not, give me a shout.

As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?

DJI Phantom 4 Fix

Gimbal Issues

Gimbal Motor Replaced, DJI Fix in for now

Lab Work – DJI Fix

Back To The Field FIXED. After 25+ days

I received some good news today, and even better news is that I got my DJI Phantom 4 ProV2 back from the repair shop. After waiting for roughly 30 days, it’s finally time to fly! The shipping and return process was a hassle, but I leave that for another post. Today, I finally received the PH4 in the mail, so it’s time to fly. I now have the package in my possession and am working on unboxing the drone as the excitement builds. Let’s see if the drone gimbal is ready for flight.

Gimbal Issue Resolution

Does the drone fix meet your expectations? This is the follow up article on the DJI Gimbal Issues. Sounds like the gimbal assembly was replaced, not sure about the camera or if the assembly is self contained, one unit; meaning the camera, gimbal and housing are all considered one replaceable unit. How long would it take to get the drone fixed? ~30 days. ReviewDJI P4ProV2 specs, make sure its your drone and in working condition.

At the airfield we pushed the drone hard, making sure the motors were good to go, a number of gimbal checks, gimbal, motors and lens filter changes. We can wrap up with a positive day at the airfield, nothing of significance to report. Just photos and videos to clean up, and clean out.

Update to come, will include video of the airfield, highlight different maneuvers and views. Or just check the above post…

Now that we have your attention, let’s delve into the DJI Phantom 4, gimbal issues, flight testing at the airfield, video and photography capabilities, and more. The same for our other drones, learn-to-fly drones, racing drones as well as maintenance and tips and hacks to ensure these drones stay airborne.

Other Lego Side Projects

Lego Projects

Workshop Activities, On The Bench

Lab Work – Lego Projects

Repost – On The Bench with the Lego Tablet Base

Re-posting or the “Other Lego ‘Side’ Projects”, similar to the Gimbal repost (had to repurpose some content, goal was to better utilize material posted in various places around the web). So, I’ll start with the Legos®… Gotta love Lego® Other Lego ‘Side’ Projects.

Situation – Think fast tablet housing needed. We need a handsfree, desktop friendly table housing.
Challenge – Build a tablet housing (landscape orientation only) to house an iPad. Regardless of what the model or make of the iPad, we had an iPad, make something that will work in 5 minutes.
Accessible materials – Legos®, toothpicks, pipe cleaners, various
Go!

In short, we were a quick solution with accessible materials that would allow for various solutions, an iterative build process, and be tabletop/desktop friendly. Another Lego ‘Side’ Projects we worked on was creating a new iPad/iPad case that was purchased separately did not come with a handy, integrated stand. This will a future piece of content. We may consider reviewing a few cases that have integrated stands, such as the Brenthaven.

Moving On

Moving forward, the case we purchased did not have any kind of stand included or attached. It is a fact that buyers often regret not buying a tablet case with a stand. Before we move to close this article, here are some additional lego specific lab work and videos shared online. Learn about Lego train depot, Lego Tablet base and mini pc board housing.

In conclusion, we had several bins of Legos lying around the workshop and with a little creativity, we were able to create a fully functioning tablet stand/base. This was our first edition, and while there were second and third iterations that were abandoned due to instability and the number of Lego bricks used, the fourth iteration is currently in progress. We plant to reduce the number of bricks used and adjust the screen angle to accommodate various viewers and users. Additionally, the Lego Housing we are featuring needs to allow for both portrait and landscape viewing, as well as integration with charging cords.

As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?

DJI Phantom 4 Gimbal Issues

DJI Phantom 4 Drone Gimbal Issues

DJI Blunders, Days Wasted Away

Lab Work – DJI Issues

Diagnosis: bleak… The DJI camera gimbal is inoperable, with the 45° gimbal tilt consistently shifting to the right of center a known issue straight from the factory…

DJI Gimbal: Alignment issues are present from the start. The gimbal is off-centered, indicating potential trouble with the camera and motor. This is a repost from Twitter prior to X, where I wanted to share a message that detailed a 24+ day duration from workshop-to-DJI process and back.

PH4 Gimbal Issues

Power Down

Repack Repair

Next, please keep in mind that ‘repair days’ are counted by the number of days the device is in repair. ‘days in repair’. Additionally, it is important to note down time includes DJI facility time – pre, post shipment and travel time. Whether it is in the US (possibly CA) or abroad (** the total # of repair days do not include ‘in transit’ days… times are not presented online in the DJI UI – status tracker **). Just be aware, times aren’t always accurate. If you prepare for this inaccuracy, or system latency, you’ll be better off with some of the repair ambiguity. This information may come as a disappointment, but it is good to be aware of it now. From a customer’s perspective, this experience was a nightmare.

Just to clarify, ‘Hey, we don’t count the time it takes for the device to travel to and from the customer and DJI, we apologize for any confusion. It is safe to assume that most of us, myself included, do not have a spare Phantom 4 ProV2 just sitting around. Perhaps the issue is related to a defective gimbal or defective gimbal motor(S). In this case, a brand new drone down for repair, back in the shop for a gimbal repair. Let’s bring this nightmare to a close and conclude the DJI Gimbal matter, as I would prefer not to encounter any issues straight from the factory. That said, let’s cut to the chase, here is a quick peek at the DJI Fix article some 30 days later.

Other Robot and Drone Repairs

Although this drone is under warranty or we may be ‘under-the-hood’ trying to fix this problem ourselves. That said, learn more about drone and robot repair? Read our series on the Maytronic Dolphin Down, in need of repair, under repair and Dolphin On. Excited to have the Dolphin robot back to work in the water doing work. Down time is money flying out the window, metaphorically speaking. More importantly, reducing your Return-On-Investment (ROI) – investment money to purchase a robot to do said work. Return higher than manual labor to keep the pool clean. I’d say this has huge potential for those pool owners looking for a little more in-the-pool time versus pool care and maintenance time. How about Apple repairs, M1 Chip repair, or MBP Batter Swap

Finally, as usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?

EMAX Tinyhawk 2 Racing Drones

TinyHawk 2 Quadcopter Kit

Night Flight – EMAX TH2 Unboxing & Test Flight

Lab Work – TH2 Test Flight

We Unbox The EMAX TH2

Pulling this for the ‘heap of old’ posts or archival posts if you will. While going through decommissioned social media posts, I thought I would share this gem. Here is the unboxing EMAX Tiny Hawk 2 from early ’20.

TH2 Unboxing

TH2

EMAX TH2

Next, the EMAX Tinyhawk 2, FPV kit is a great choice for hobbyists or first-time pilot. The kit includes a drone, First-Person Video (FPV) goggles, blades, batteries, chargers, remote and a quick start guide. Charge up your batteries and take flight! I currently have four of these kits in rotation. This was the first EMAX kit on the ‘buy list’, and I highly recommend it. The TinyHawk series of drones is perfect for indoor flight, novice pilots and learning to fly through FPV (first- person view). Two thumbs up.

Finally, you can find the latest EMAX TinyHawk drone kit, specs, and build config here. See Flight Controller updates and crash video and repair find more. These kits are considered RTF or ready-to-fly out of package, with little to no configuration required to fly. Additionally, the current iteration is priced at ($289), but pricing may fluctuate. You may also find the kit or parts elsewhere at GetFPV. Get an EMAX TH2 today and feel free to leave a comment below to let us know what you’re thinking!