Add Auto-leveling and Stabilization to Your RC Plane using HobbyKing KK2.0 Board

[@shamsheralamraja]

End of May, 2016. and I used this video to setup my plane, and new menus are not hard to figure out. I have 3 pos switch on my radio, so i did not need AUX chanel. Positoon 1 2 and 3 select profile 1,2 and 3. all off, stablization on and Auto level on. Now here comes fun part. I jumped one cable from AUX chanel to M2 and that eleminated the need for UBEC. or Y connector for the battery and 3 amp bec on ESC has enough power to run radio , KK2 board and 4 servos. (I use 1 in each Aileron). Your video was a great help and I thank you for doing this. I am sure it a lot of your time. Again thanks.

[@iassacspurlin1368]

I swear if all drone videos were made like this i wouldnt have been grounded for the last 3 weeks good job

[@DJBBBOSS]

Thanks for video and all the info and links..... im very rusty with rc plane flying after a break of 30 years and getting back into it and this will be a great help in assisting me in the air....

[@randallhuston1466]

You can get auto leveling receivers and add ons now that are easy to set up and use.

[@davidmc36]

Thanks for a great video. I knew it couldn't be that hard to set this up. Scratched my head for a couple hours until I stumbled on your video. You made a great video that is super easy to understand and easy to watch. You speak clearly, explain things very well with no extra bull. Nice Job. Subscribed.

[@WVRetreat]

Yes, the OpenAero firmware does camera stabilization too. You hook up the servos for stabilization to M2 (tilt), M3 (pan) and M4 (roll) on the left side of the board. Check out the OpenAero manual for the details.

[@mapes12]

Thanks Mike. I'll have a tinker around and see how it goes. My Tx is the Hitec Aurora 9 which I'm just getting used to. Your vids are very helpful for newbies like me. Keep 'em comin :)

[@WVRetreat]

It depends on which channel you have the 3-way switch. If your 3-way switch is on the FLAPS, you probably want to plug into AUX on the receiver and plug other end into row 3 (on left side) into KK2. You could also plug it into row 5 on the KK2 (which is called GEAR). In the OpenAero2 setup you can then configure the channel to use for the 3-way switch.

[@WVRetreat]

Yes, it can do autolevel, stabilization and the camera gimbal together. Hook them up to the right-side connections like so: row1=empty, row2=tilt, row3=pan, row4=gimballroll, row5=elevator, row6=aileron Y/left aileron, row7=right aileron, row8=rudder. The BEC can be hooked up to any of the connections on the right side, using a Y. If you have your ailerons sharing row6, you can plug the BEC into row 7. I don't think you can hook up the BEC to row1. This is in the OpenAero manual, right?

[@WVRetreat]

No, sorry if you are talking about the "HobbyKing Multi-Rotor Control Board V3.0", it's just for multi-rotors. In theory, you could use it on a plane, but I don't see that anyone has any firmware you can do this for you.

[@WVRetreat]

Yes, it works with glow. In fact, the KK2 with OpenAero will work with glow, gas, electric, turbine, etc. It has more to do with the receiver and servos than the engine/motor. Hope this helps.

[@WVRetreat]

You still have to use your controls to fly the plane, turn it, etc. For beginners, those flying FPV or doing aerial video, this will help keep the plane level and easier to control.

[@artest7]

I realize this was 8 years ago. But, is there something like this I can use for auto-leveling for my Parkzone Radian PKZ4700 Sailplane for relatively cheap? Thanks for ur great video!

[@WVRetreat]

Great question. I think HobbyKing stopped making these inexpensive OrangeRx stabilizers and KK Boards. However, if you search Amazon for "HOBBYMATE 3 Axis Gyro Stabilizer" you can find a similar alternative. Full disclosure, I haven't tried the HOBBYMATE stabilizer, so I don't know how good it is. If you are willing to pay more money for better quality then search for the "Apprentice S Receiver." I have used the receiver in other planes besides the Apprentice. Either options should work in your Radian sailplane.

[@MrSimba2003boy]

@@WVRetreat plz if u have an idea about kk2.1.5 for fixxed wing

[@ramonf4213]

HI i have a problem installing kkmulticopter flash tools, i want to install but my computer it is 32bits.. what can i do. please just help. if there is any possibilities to install it...

[@the1realanalogman]

Very clear and concise tutorial. Well articulated and logical. Great job!

[@AntonioSilva-zy9fg]

Thanks for the quick response, what i really wanted to know is if i can use the KK2 board in my bixler with the auto level and stabilization and also plug in a camera gimbal. You say plug into M2,(tilt) M3 (pan) and M4. In your vid all these chanels are already ocupied with the male to male servo leads. Please help. I have the kk2 board, open aero fm and a Bixler. Want to set auto level, stabilization (same as your vid) and simultaneouslly use the camera stabilization as well.(only pan and tilt)

[@WVRetreat]

After flashing it with the OpenAero2 firmware, you can not use the OpenAero2 with your multicopter, however you can flash the firmware again to use other KK2 firmware for use with multicopters.

[@WVRetreat]

Stabilization without auto-leveling is ideal when you want to some turning with the plane and mild aerobatics. Also, when you're heading for a big tree, you'll want to be able to quickly take auto leveling off, still have some stability control, to avoid the tree.

[@fredrikpettersen9620]

Thank you for making this great setup-guide. I just installed V1.2B10 on my KK2.1. I have the Bixler 2. Did som reversing on the board, regarding both servo input and levelling direction. Everything seems to work great, but the level meter show wrong direction on pitch. When you tilt the plane, the ball should go to the "highest" point on the screen, right? The board direction is set to "AFT", my buttons are facing forward. Can something be done about level meter ball?

[@sladelefty]

could you PLEASE give us the PID settings that you are using and the acc setting also. I can not seam to get this working, either too sensitive or no effect. Thank you Merry for all the hard work

[@juliettpapa9912]

Hi MMerry. Thanks for the great video. I built that board into my plane. Is there a video somewhere on standard settings for Open Aero? On my plane the Stab worked, but not the autolevel in flight. The rudders reacted like they should when holding the plane, but on flight it didnt't seem to work. Also the stick control didn't seem to come through when flying in autolevel mode. In the end i crashed the plane for some other reason, so now i can't test further. Thats why I am asking for settings.JJ

[@DeRick62100]

I have a spektrum dx 7 I will be looking forward to your kk2.1 video

[@adit1001able]

NOTE: i was about to fly my plane with OpenAero2, and i decided to do a static test 1st and what i noticed was that all the control surfaces were shaking as i increased the throttle. so i started to think and i removed the board from the plane and held it in my hand and then started increasing the throttle..and the surfaces did not act weird...CONclusion is OpenAero doesnt like even the slightest of shakes do you have vibrations below the canopy or in that section? as the motor is at the back

[@Georgehanes-GJH105775]

This is probably a stupid question, but do you have to tune PIDs on a plane? If so is it a lot easier than a quad? If so what are your settings for that plane? I have one like it.

[@WVRetreat]

Yes. Otherwise, the board can reset. Here is the explanation from the OpenAero2 designer HappySundays about only using your ESC with built in BEC: "You have to understand that it's not just voltage droop but current flowing through the board that upsets the KK2. They share ground paths if you connect them together. It's not the updated BEC that helps, but the separation of 5V rails. This way, servo current does not influence the KK2 board itself."

[@karlkable]

So what is the benefit or difference of using this over a gyro like the hobby king 401B? Thanks for the video

[@jono5358]

how do you add a separate acting motor onto the board, say i wanted to make a tricopter that had a drive system for taxiing how could i make this reality with the kk2?

[@WVRetreat]

It will definitely help, just make sure to test it well on the ground before taking off. The OrangeRx Stabilizer is also a good choice and is easier to setup. BTW, link corrected. Thanks.

[@adit1001able]

did you change any kinds of gains or something? or you just flashed the frimware and plugged eveything and flew just fine?

[@rcaviater]

hi great vid and really interested in doing this will this-- HobbyKing KK2.1HC Multi-Rotor Hard Case Flight Control Board -- work the same as you did yours and will this vid help to set it up thanks dean

[@bachynski2000]

First off, thank you for this very informative video. There are a lot of KK2 boards out there that will see new life because of your video. At the time of this writing HK is selling the KK2 for $30.68 and the KK2.1.5 for $21.99. What is your opinion of the KK2.1.5? Is it also useful for this application? Thanks for your time.

[@kennethpearson2938]

The KK2.1.5 is a decent board and I’ve used it successfully on a quad. OpenAero does works with it, but see the comments below about issues if you have to reverse a channel. I assume there is the same with the KK2 board. There must be a straightforward solution but I can’t find it.

[@propfella]

Great video, thank you plus another request for the KK2.1 tutorial. I have a number of both boards lying around so I may as well fit them to a few planes. Just one thing, could you place the board, cables, controller etc on a table when showing them. You tend to shake around a bit and at times it was rather unsettling to watch, especially when you tend to talk with your hands. A static shot is far better, except when demoing actual board movements of course. Just a minor thing but it will make for a more professional looking video. Thanks.

[@illuminatorix]

Hello and thank you for your video! May I ask something. Isn't the best way to use auto level for a straight flight? Why to use Stabilization?

[@parjacpar3077]

Hi i bought a kk2 after wtching this great video of your only problem is mines a updated version (kk2.1.5) and the menus nbare different Any chance of updating this video as can not find many videos for kk2.1.5 that shows what you show in this video

[@adit1001able]

when is the flight video comming..so that i am satisfied and il then buy the kk2 board ..pease do it fast i am waiting

[@pukki34]

Hey hey, my turnigy 3a UBEC has only +5 and ground lead connected to the m2 and the servos will not move. Any ideas? If i hook up my ESC BEC (3 pins) to the m2 it works. Any ideas why this is?

[@NanobeFLY]

Hi, im trying to use this with my bixler with seperate aileron servos. I have v1.2 beta 10. The rc control from my tx is correct but the stabilisation and auto-level are opposite on my ailerons and rudder, when iroll the plane to the lefts it tries to correct this by rolling further left etc. Is there a simple fix to this that i have overlooked? Thanks.

[@geekintheperimeter]

The plane I am to put this kk2 board in to, has the flight controls powered by an SBEC ESC. Do you still need to power the kk2 board separately? Can't the juice from the esc's bec, that currently powers the Rx also power the kk2?

[@WascallyWabbitHunter]

Hi, I have a DX6i and cannot get my Flap /Aux to work, can this be done a a dx6i? My gear works perfect, I just canot get the other Aux so I can turn on and off the Auto Leveling. Please help!

[@rcflightseeker3488]

Thanks for the detailed setup video! Really have been thinking about getting this. Just one question can you set the sensitivity of the gyros?

[@websitesthatneedanem]

This is a great idea... and Cheap! I'm looking to install one in a trainer plane to increase my chances... good idea? BTW: SBasp AVR Programming Device for ATMEL proccessors: - not working.

[@WVRetreat]

The HK 401B has gyroscopes only. The KK2 has gyroscopes and accelerometers. Gyroscopes give you stabilization, e.g. helps combat wind. Accelerometers give you auto-leveling, e.g. you put your plane into a dive and let go of the controls, the accelerometers bring the plane back to almost level. The HK 401B can't do that because it doesn't have accelerometers.

[@maduraJB]

I have a HK V2.1 board. I have install OpenAero to that and tried to get it to work. but still not working. could you please help me to figure out whats i'm doing wrong ?

[@AntonioSilva-zy9fg]

Hi mmerry2, great vid. One question. Is it possible to conect a camera gimble for camera stabilization with this firmware?. I really enjoy the idea of autolevel and stabilization, if it were possible to conect a cam gimble this would be perfect for me. I have a quad with kk2 board and firmware V1.5 which has cam stabilization conected to M7 and M8. Im would like to set this board on my Bixler with a camera mounted and conected to the board for cam stabilization. Any sugestions. Thank You

[@Mrdaddydaze1]

I have a question what do you think is better to use this kk2 board or the orange rx 3axis stabilizer? what would u suggest

[@adit1001able]

in Beta 4 which came earlier and what i have now installed in my kk2 board has an unusual fault: as i increase my throttle up, the plane rolls to the right and that is veryscary for a beginner like me. please help me out with the setting or whatever solution.

[@felixjanke2688]

Hi mmerry2! Great video. Thanks for that! My Mini KK Board with openaero2 works fine on my Skyfun - but only till I start the motor :-( The motor runs smooth (for a few pole 2200kV) and is well balanced but even this low vibration is enough to let the servos jitter very much in Autolevel mode. So I decided to change the bearings of the motor and mount the board on a damping pad with added mass. But this didn't help either. When I check the "Levelmeter" with running motor (even without prop) the dot jumps arround like crazy - but I can hardly feel vibration on the plane. Sure, the 2200kV motor has only a few poles and there might be motors that run smoother, but isn't there any working softwarefilter? The LPF settig doesn't help much - set it to 64 means low pass filter at 1Hz - I think my vibrations are at much higher frequency... it still jitters so much. Did you notice this vibration issue on your planes with KK/openaero2?

[@felixjanke2688]

It's a vibration issue. I tried it in an electric glider with a really (!) smooth running motor. It works!

[@sadkoznur]

really thank you man for your important information about kk2 borad l was try to know what is better and what is more easier thank you very much . :)

[@jbx907]

i just test the kk2 on my sky surfer on the bench, the default gains for stabilization and auto level seem to have little reaction with the control surfaces, in your bixler, what gains do you have for stability at auto level, maybe a starting point for viewers thanks

[@DeRick62100]

I have flash my firmware to 1.9 and installed OpenAero2_B10_KK21 but my pages on the kk2.1 board is different to your kk2.0 board, are you going to make a video with the kk2.1 board?

[@WVRetreat]

It seems like there are enough differences in the new firmware version, so I may make another video eventually. With the new firmware, I think you need a transmitter with a 3-position switch or dial in order to switch between the 3 different modes (stability, auto-level and off). I'll add an annotation in the video for this for now.

[@adit1001able]

what about the airoplane program which is already on this board....do will still need to put the OpenAero?

[@mapes12]

If using a 3-way switch then which connector on the KK2 board does this connect up to from the receiver?

[@WVRetreat]

The video says down elevator STICK makes the elevator go up. This is correct. I intentionally used the word STICK to avoid confusion.

[@jolambinon9775]

Great Video ! Do I still need 5 cables from RX to KK if I use a 3 way with on my TX to switch between Off Stabilize and Auto Levelling ?

[@droospoos]

can i use autostabilization on a flying wing without the open aero firmware update ? will it work with just the standard firmware?

[@rafael266]

Amazing, thank you for sharing this. Would you know if after the firmware update with OpenAero 2, the board would still be usefull on a quadcopter? Or does it become a board for a plane only?

[@gerterwt11]

can i do the same thing with kk blue board v3. if so how are the servo cable connections? Thanks voor this vid. very easy to understand...... even for me ;-) Greets Gerard

[@gul156]

I have installed OpenAero2 on my plane (exactly like yours) and set it up. All servos working correctly both in normal and stabilize modes. However as soon as I install the KK2.0 board in the plane, at 50-80% throttle the servos are jittering a lot! For sure it has to do with vibrations because when I try it with KK outside everything is fine. Tried messing with Acc LPF (1, 10, 30) but didn't make difference. Also I have foam padding underneath KK. Any ideas?

[@WVRetreat]

The OpenAero2 firmware doesn't support controlling the throttle, therefore it's not connected. It's not really necessary to get the auto leveling and stability control.

[@adit1001able]

yes, it is vibrations whichare causing this issue

[@MFMProductions]

I have wired up my board as per your video but get a no signal on the LCD HELP...........

[@boostedlogic85]

Thank you I have a 4 ch and wanted to make sure I can get auto level with out the extra channels . Thumbs up and sub.

[@WVRetreat]

I haven't heard a lot of recommendations to use the "aeroplane" mode that's included with the KK2.0 board. It doesn't sound like it has a lot of support. The "OpenAero2" firmware is recommended for using the KK2.0 in an airplane and it has better support by user HappySundays.

[@2007crf450r]

does this work better than using the hk flight stabilizer v2

[@awshima]

+mmery2 great video, still usefull after so many years. I have a Bixler 2 and I'm adding a KK 2.1, but I have one question. I have flaps in this Bixler 2, and I'm not sure how I should configure Open Aero to control the flaps. Any thoughts? Thanks!

[@awshima]

The answer is to use the secondary aileron output to manage the flaps, mapping the throttle input channel in the board (that will actually be connected to some channel at your receiver, since you will connect the actual throttle directly to the ESC) to this output. The new OpenAero version is different, now you manage 3 profiles that will be changed when you flip the GEAR (for example) switch or change the dial (I'm using the dial, since my cheap HK-T6A V2 radion doesn't have a 3 position switch), and by default in the first profile everything is disabled, in the second only the stabilization is enabled, and in the third stabilization and auto leveling are enabled (you can change the profiles if needed).

[@singhvikash415]

thanks for the setup!!!! but where to add the esc wire in kk board? i have 2 brush-less motors attached with my plane ......

[@mitropoulosilias]

+singhvikash415 kk board is not going to control your throtle. only your servos for stabilization

[@droospoos]

why throttle from your receiver isnt connected to kk2.0 on the left side?

[@DeRick62100]

I have the kk2.1 board and I was planing to put it in my sky surfer but I do not see the listed menu on my KK2.1 board that I saw on yours. R U going to make a video with the KK2.1 board?

[@WVRetreat]

Did you flash your KK2.1 to the latest OpenAero firmware yet? You need to flash it to OpenAero2 V1.2 Beta 10 or better.

[@DeRick62100]

Sorry no I did not I will thanks PS can you send me a link to get the needed drivers Thanks

[@WVRetreat]

Cameron Hinds If you follow the "OpenAero2 Firmware thread" link in the video notes you will find the "OpenAero2 V1.2 Beta 10 for KK2.1" firmware that you can download.

[@cmavr8]

Can anyone suggest a smart way to mount this inside the Bixler2, so that I don't need to remove it to press buttons etc? I'm thinking mounting it somewhere inside and making a side hatch under the wing... But maybe the board has to be parallel to the wings' plane so this won't work...

[@websitesthatneedanem]

?I do have the OrangeRx Stabilizer, but it doesn't seem to have Auto Levelling ie. 'Panic mode!'

[@razgriz3238]

i have the kk2.0 and the kk2.1.5mini but if i plug in a servo both wont work. kk2.0 flashed v1.2 b10 kk2.1.5mini flashed v1.2 b10 kk2.1 (mini) reciever inputs are working exept for elevator and aileron on kk2.0(numbers going nuts) can anyone help?

[@GamingwithBigby]

I'd love to see you make a fresh version of this with the new firmware and menu choices.

[@ericjohn1975]

i know im asking the wrong place but does anyone know a way to get back into an instagram account?? I somehow lost the password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me.

[@cruzwestin4261]

@Eric John Instablaster =)

[@ericjohn1975]

@Cruz Westin i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm trying it out now. Takes quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@ericjohn1975]

@Cruz Westin It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thank you so much you really help me out :D

[@cruzwestin4261]

@Eric John happy to help =)

[@howieb38]

Did I miss something? Down elevator should make the elevator go "UP"??? (time 19:25) Other then that, great video.

[@lenmartyn3409]

thanks for reply. the other problem I have is getting power to the servos were do I plug the battery Len

[@adit1001able]

flight video ?? when is it comming?

[@warinbarwary2395]

Is there auto pilot or auto landing?

[@Fur8002]

Excellent explanation, thanks.

[@WVRetreat]

HappySundays says the following in the OpenAero2 Quick Start Guide: "Do not connect the 5V supply from M1, or the receiver to the servos on M2-M8, else the electrical noise from the servos in flight will cause the KK2 board to reboot and crash your aircraft."

[@thebeatsmith6594]

can you turn on after going inverted and would it still work the same?

[@thomaslyth4568]

hi where can I get one off these HK don't seem to stock them.

[@adit1001able]

is it neccessary to add a BEC?

[@daveroche689]

This is great information but you need to up date this video to include profiles. Cheers

[@borutlikar]

Really great video thanks!!!

[@TheVegasMatt]

Hey mmerry2, thanks for your videos, you have inspired me to try adding stability control to my Bixler 2. I am having a hell of a time getting the stability and level contral to behave properly. When I enter stab mode, my flight control surfaces behave properly but the corrections are reversed. If I reverse the behavior of the stabilization in the mixes, it also reverses the radio commands. So I'll be in no mode, flying normally, switch to stabilize and my ailerons reverse although the stabilization behavior is correct. Any ideas? I've been scratching my head on this one for a while. BTW, I am very new to flying in general. Thanks again.

[@WVRetreat]

I think you need to reverse the mixes on the KK2 and additionally reverse the channel on your transmitter.

[@kennethpearson2938]

I have the same problem. Everything works OK with the control directions normal. But when I reversed the aileron channel (either on the Tx or in Receiver Setup) the roll gyro and accelerometer worked in the wrong sense. So I thought all I needed to do was set these to Reverse (not ON) in Channel Mixing. But then I found, as you did, that the Tx controls changed direction when I switched to stabilise or level. I haven’t found a solution so I’ve changed the servo layout so that I don’t need to reverse it.

[@takng4204]

+Kenneth Pearson Try this Go to Channel Mixing 1. Set Setting for to OUT6 (this should connect to your aileron servo(s)) 2. Set Source mix to ON then Set Roll Gyro to ON and last set Roll Acc to Rev. This will reverse your aileron when gyro accelerometer is triggered. This works on mine which use v1.2b10. Ref to github.com/happyhappysundays/nextcopterplus/blob/wiki/OpenAero2_User_Guide.md

[@lenmartyn3409]

Will a glow engine work with the KK2.0 ?

[@ansariflightplan5814]

if u roll what happen to rudder?

[@sadkoznur]

can l use this for flying wings(delta) ?

[@cam_3d]

Shame you can't use this along with the camera stabilizer, it seems its either one or the other!

[@DeRick62100]

Where can I find theFile OpenAero2_B10_KK21.zip is for KK2.1 boards?

[@WVRetreat]

Yes, OpenAero2_B10_KK21.zip is the file you want for a KK2.1 board. It's located at the bottom of the first post in the OpenAero2 Firmware thread.

[@WVRetreat]

No, if you have the 3-way switch, you only need 4 cables.

[@shahzadkhan-qs1hb]

help needed if anyone solve my problem plx reply {my plane throttle stop with i changed it mood to auto}

[@rcflightseeker3488]

Hey does anybody know if you can do the same thing with the newer model? The kk2.1.5 board?

[@whitethorn7343]

RC flight Seeker just figured out, you need to go into Menu - 5. flight profile 1 - Change all settings you wanted on. I did stab on and auto leveling to Hands free (auto level on centered stick)

[@MrSimba2003boy]

Did u get a solution for the 2.1.5

[@florianweitzel5910]

Hey. Whith which firmware does your KK2.0 board run?

[@WVRetreat]

Can you post a video for us to look at?

[@snoopw111]

Nice vid

[@mike97431]

....Mike , it would be great if you were into multirotors....us noobies need an instructor !!!

[@prathameshkalaskar9250]

Can I do this setup on kk2.1.5?

[@MrSimba2003boy]

Did you get any solution fir this ?? I have 2.1.5 too but i cant find any vids to do the setup ??

[@BernardGrosp]

Pretty good video, thanks. If I may, it seems you have difficulties making the difference between male and female..... You see, the male has a "thing" sticking out, while the female.... Anyway.... :-)

[@WVRetreat]

I know it sounds backwards, but the servo cables are male-to-male. You're looking at it from the wrong perspective. The female connectors have the 2 black plastic pieces that goes on the outside and the male connector has the 1 black plastic piece that goes inside the female connectors. If you don't believe me, click on the product link for the male-to-male servo connectors in the video notes and see what the product is called.

[@benjien2007]

how do you arm this board, or is it always armed

[@auricom24]

I want to know this too. Servos working but no motor.

[@laurasandifer4957]

Hold both sticks to the bottom left corners of the pots to arm the board. To disarm, just mirror step one.

[@benjien2007]

it it just me, my servos jitter at 60% throttle.

[@auricom24]

Hmmm, i have to trimm down the trottle stick. Then the motor spinns by pushing the trottle stick, but without arming.

[@adit1001able]

thank you so much sir !

[@Nobel0]

thank you very much...