Before moving on, the ESCs (electronic speed controllers) will need to be calibrated.  This process tells the ESCs the minimum and maximum throttle range sent from the flight controller to the ESCs.  If this is not done before flight, your motors may not respond correctly – causing unstable or unpredictable flight.

This calibration process is done using the Throttle Calibration button and by disconnecting and reconnecting your flight battery in a specific manner: you will need to have a charged battery and be able to connect and disconnect it during this process.  Again, make sure that your propellers have been removed.

Parts Needed:

• ELEV-8 v3 Assembly w/ LiPo Battery
• Computer with software & firmware installed from Step 22
• USB A to Micro B cable

Instructions:

The Parallax GroundStation application will visually indicate when to unplug or plug in your battery during this calibration process. Watch for screen indicators.

1. Connect your ELEV-8 Flight Controller to your computer's USB port with a USB A to Micro B cable.
2. Launch the Parallax GroundStation Application & navigate to the System Test tab.
3. Click on the Throttle Calibration button.  If your battery is connected, disconnect it (the screen gives you the same instruction).  Once the battery is disconnected, click the button a second time.
4. The GroundStation screen will tell you to connect your battery again.  When you connect your battery, you will hear a series of beeps – this is normal.  Wait for all of the beeping to complete before moving on.
5. Once the first set of beeps has completed, click the Throttle Calibration button again.  You will hear another series of beeps – this is normal.  Wait for all of the beeping to complete before moving on.
6. Once you have completed the throttle calibration, disconnect both your battery and the USB cable to completely power down and reset the flight controller.  Leave them disconnected for at least 10 seconds to make sure they have completely reset.

To hear what the series of beeps in instructions 4 and 5 should sound like during a successful calibration, download this .zip file containing a wav sound file for each instruction [3].

Now you will check that the motors are spinning in the desired direction. If any motors are spinning in the wrong direction, it is a simple matter of switching any two of the ESC outputs to fix the issue.

Parts Needed:

• ELEV-8 v3 Assembly w/ LiPo Battery
• Computer with software & firmware installed from Step 22
• USB A to Micro B cable

Instructions:

Warning! Propellers should not yet be installed on your ELEV-8 v3. If you have done so, remove them now before continuing.

1. Connect your ELEV-8 Flight Controller to your computer's USB port with a USB A to Micro B cable.
2. Open the ELEV-8 GroundStation software.  The Status tab will be displayed first.  Use the information displayed in the bottom-left corner to verify that the ELEV-8 v3 is properly connected.  It will display “Connected” if it is

3. Once the ELEV-8 v3 is connected to the GroundStation software, click on the System Test tab.

4. Make sure the propellers are not mounted on the motors, and then use the buttons with circular arrows to verify that each motor spins in the correct direction. Click the “Buzzer” and “LED” buttons to make sure both the buzzer and LED are responding correctly as well.  The buzzer will do a two-tone beep and the LED will cycle through a rainbow of colors.

If the motor spun in the correct direction (as indicated by the markings on your top chassis plate, shown below), skip to step 8. If it did not, follow steps 5-7.

If the Motor Did Not Spin in the Correct Direction:

5. Turn the ELEV-8 over and locate the ESC corresponding to (matching the number of) the motor in question.
6. Locate any two of the (three) blue extension wires running to the ESC and unplug them from the ESC.

7. ​Switch the extension wires for one another, and plug them back in. You have now reversed (corrected) the motor’s spin direction.

8. Repeat instructions 1-8 as necessary for the three remaining motors/ESCs.

With the motors all spinning the correct directions, you can now secure the ESCs so that they don't move during flight. By securing them to the booms, they won't get in the way of folding up your ELEV-8 for transport if you ever choose to do so.

Tools Needed:

• Flat-Nose Pliers [1]
• Diagonal Cutters [2]

Parts Needed:

• ELEV-8 v3 Assembly
• (8) - Zip Tie, 5.9" length (#700-00099)

Instructions:

1. Feed a zip tie around the #3 boom.

2. Take the ESC connected to the wires coming out of that boom and place it up against to boom, with the wires above it, inside of the zip tie. Fasten the zip tie loosely around the ESC and wires as shown below.

3. Feed another zip tie around the boom and fasten as shown in the picture below.

4. Tighten both zip ties and trim the tails.

5. Repeat for the other 3 ESCs.