Flashing FW 1.02 to earlier versions of KISS 24a using a USB UART tool

Tutorial on flashing FW 1.02 onto KISS 24a esc's that currently have 1.00 or 1.01 FW using USB UART.
ESC FW 1.00 and 1.01 do not have a bootloader installed on them like FW 1.02 does. Flashing older versions with 1.00 and 1.01 through a USB UART installs the bootlaoder and allows you to do and further Upgrades via the KISS FC GUI. For an explanation on how to upgrade 1.02 fw esc's using the GUI please check out this tutorial. • Video
KISS 24a ESC FW properties
FW v1.00: Original FW
FW v1.01: Fixed an issue for those running 4KHz FC's
FW v1.02: Bootloader added to allow flashing via KISS FC
FW v1.03: Updates including Smoother power, more power, more efiicent and bug fixes including possible "dead duck" issues
Other tutorials:
kiss.flyduino.net/dwkb/how-to-...
oscarliang.com/tutorial-kiss-...
USB UART Tool I used:
flyduino.net/USB-UART-Adapter-...
Arduino Program:
www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software
Hex file generator:
ultraesc.de/hexGen/index.php
Flashing Program:
www.st.com/content/st_com/en/p...

[@eddiej2793]

wow do I really love the new esc firmware. totally got rid of my motor stuttering when i give rapid throttle inputs.. i almost threw in the towel and stopped using kiss products but after getting everything updated, i have definitely regained confidence in FLYDUINO. I checked all my receipts and ive spent $ 2,113.72 on kiss products. I have built 10 KWADS in the past 2 weeks using all kiss products and i really thought i wasted my money until i seen the esc update video. I build Kwads because i just completely love building them and because i have some friends who would love to fly but dont have the money to do it so i took a small loan out and built KWADS for 6 of my friends and got them some goggles and batteries. i guess i just really love this hobby and the people who i meet along the way, its almost like a brotherhood of sorts and i just really love to hang out with everyone and fly so when i seen that my friends really loved it but were depressed because they couldnt participate,, i took up a collection from fellow pilots to get money so i could build them there own multirotor. it just wasnt enough for everyone so i went to the bank got a loan and went home and ordered stuff for them. now they are in the air flying and part of this awesome life that really brings people together.. sorry for so much but the point im getting at is thats it's because of all you guys at rotor riot and the knowledge that yo all have shared that has kept me in this hobby. and it was because of the problems that the KISS products gave me that i almost walked away. i have spent almost $20,000 on this hobby since march 24th of this year and i thank you guys at rotor riot for always reminding me thats its all about having fun and making new friends along the way.... Thank you if you took the time to read this,, HAPPY FLYING, EDDIE

[@jussa101]

Thanks chad, there's not alot of videos about the kiss gear. You're videos are a big help to everyone who runs kiss gear. Thanks for all the time you put into these videos.

[@fsarfino]

Man I feel for ya Chad, I used to travel ALOT for work I did it for 4 years 80% travel and it was rough. I'm sure staying at a motel 6 is even rougher. Thanks for the tutorial and wish you safe travels.

[@Tap3w0rm]

I use the same soldering iron. I did the whole alien 5 inch build without pulling out my weller. I am super impressed.

[@dannesser]

Thanks for all of your Kiss tutorials, you've helped me out a ton! I've got two spare 1.01 24a esc's so I'm defiantly going to need this video when i order two more... unless they still sell that FW

[@ocdpfsas]

Thanks Chad, followed this guide yesterday and it worked like a champ!

[@djklermundable]

oh and hey, I'd love to see a series on all your gear like Steele has done. Keep up the great work!

[@nimbuslayer5142]

Thanx for sharing Chad. The Rotor Riot crew rocks because you guys are on top of the game and you are willing to share your knowledge. Thank you!

[@usdsk8r1231]

Great video Chad! Really made the whole thing simple and painless!

[@GoGupGo]

Thank you sir on your kiss video help me out a lot. I love how simple the esc and flight board are.

[@glen.d6435]

Thanks Chad, just got around to doing this. BTW it works by just disconnecting power to FC. Just have to unscrew motors and lift Esc up to get to pads on the bottom. No need to de-solder anything.

[@MrCsami]

Thanks Chad, It was easy to do this uptade with the help of your video! :) I used a FTDI adapter that worked fine too.

[@ericmansveld8752]

good luck in the hotel, have a great day, good info as always.

[@meirvin]

Thanks Chad I have been chasing a problem of a twitchy motor and have bought new 1.02s and now need to do this to my "spare" 101s

[@dancook6322]

Great video, Chad! I've got to get one of those soldering irons!

[@AdamDemas]

banggood! one of my favorite places :)

[@rambofpv4402]

What a ball ache. I think I'll stick with the current firmware on my 1.01s they fly ok 🤘

[@OldSnake47]

i have many thanks to you sir. i have finally started doing this, hopefully soon i can steal your pids and fly like you!!

[@FinalGlideAus]

Snake FPV trust me, you don't want that :)

[@FPVLIFE]

Great tute Chad 👌🏻

[@bleeksbentbits3150]

Holy crap, those TS100's sure are the duck's nuts! Thanks for bringing that to my/our attention, Im now wondering if I really should keep saving for a Weller! :v Already sent off for the 7 extra/spare tips/irons- bit pricey (20bucks more than the original TS100) but damn Im impressed so far with the iron itself... BTW, a 'getting into multi-rotors & the bits you'll need' clip/episode would make starting out in hobby easier for budget-minded noobs that prefer to invest in quality without wasting cash or having to trawl through forums would be HUGELY helpful ;) Anyways, thanks again FGA!

[@jairolenze11]

soldering iron tips 8:55 thanks mate!

[@dingleberry7211]

Been using one of those irons for a while, perfect for field repairs. ts100

[@fpp3379]

bleen best colour in the world

[@jdm724]

Bleen color props we need Chad

[@whollymindless]

I can see Chad's sponsor rushing to create bleen colored props and the manufacturer scratching his head...

[@jdm724]

A nice mix of blue and green.. Chad props, no more ugly yellow.

[@inmersouav]

Glad you're back Chad, I hope you have time to read this, I'm having problems flashing my 1st kiss fc, its a 1.03V and I've already tried fixing with impulserc tool, zadig (libusbwin32 v 1.2.6.0) and nothing , dfuse wont recognize it , Am i missing something? thanks

[@slipperysquid]

FTDI adaptor also works (the one used for flashing a minimosd)...Remember to also connect the ground...I never and it would not read the esc, took me a while to figure out that the ground needed to be connected to the ftdi adaptor. Also on my adaptor I ahd to connect RX to RX and TX to TX.

[@alwishy2696]

For my own sanity i am glad you had issues with arduino/serial monitor on mac it was pissing me right off. Good vid Chad. Would you say 300 degrees is the max temp you would solder with ?

[@FinalGlideAus]

Power wires on the KISS 24a I use around 350 deg c usually.

[@MarcChep]

Hey Chad, because of you, Steele and Rotorriot, I build my first 250 quad 2 days ago, and I am loving it! Now I want to get me some nice goggles, but I am torn between the HD2's and the Dominator V3's, I would be super happy if you could help me decide.

[@ehandford]

I'd recommend the Dom V3's, I've tried them all on. But its my personal preference, you cant beat a hands on to help you decide :)

[@MarcChep]

+DR.3 Thank you for your feedback! Why do you like the Dominator V3's better?

[@fpfree8821]

Can anyone confirm the rumour about a new dominator model being developed? Not the orange and black fatty shaks but an upgrade of the V3's?

[@nimbuslayer5142]

Honestly, it's personal preference and budget. Flight test just did a comparison video with the newest orange Fat Shark against the others. Unless you are planning on using an HD receiver, save the $100 for parts for the quad. A lot of people get the pricey HD goggles for the screen size and fly analog. That's why Fat Shark put out the orange goggles. Same specs and features as the HD, minus the HD.

[@MarcChep]

+Nimbuslayer Thank you for your feedback, so its up to the V3's and the SE's then?

[@fpfree8821]

Thanks chad. Your advice is gold and saves having to spend hours watching similar videos to confirm some random dudes advice. Can you feel the difference between the versions in a 'blind' flight test?

[@FinalGlideAus]

I was not expecting a difference but I actually did. For me it's a mandatory update for my KISS 24a esc's

[@fpfree8821]

Cool, will get on it. And thankyou to everyone who had any input into the kiss fc and esc range for giving a flying experience that still sends a shiver down my spine every time I flick the arm switch, cheers

[@ln8968]

What are the improvements of the newer fw compared to 1.01? Can't find the changelogs. Not sure if it is worth to dissemble my only quad.

[@aureliendoux8027]

Hello Chad, thanks a lot for this vid’ ! only one question : can I flash each esc without de soldering it from the FC and Motor ? or is it absolutly necessary to have only power and usb Uart leads like yours on the vid?

[@FinalGlideAus]

There should be no signal coming from the FC when flashing the esc as that will disrupt the process. It is recommended to desolder the motor wires for safety but I have tried it with them on an it was fine.

[@aureliendoux8027]

Thanks for you quick answer Chad ;-) Have a nice day. Aurélien

[@MrJob91]

Kiss esc rock

[@Mr17766able]

"keep it super simple" 😆

[@jeffwarhawk517]

Hey Chad! I had a quick question, I have a Kiss 18amp esc, do you know if I need to update that like you did your Kiss 24amp? Or do you have a video on how to do that? I got them about 6 months ago and am wondering if I needed to update them or not. Thanks!

[@jussa101]

only 24 amp esc's can be updated

[@jeffwarhawk517]

jussa101 thanks! I appreciate it!

[@glen.d6435]

Hi Chad. Being a lazy bugger do you think de-soldering sig, ground, telem, from flight controller, leaving motors soldered and powering battery through pdb of Alien will work. even tough all esc's will power up but only the one your working with will be connected to computer but motor still connected ? What you recon ?

[@FinalGlideAus]

That will be fine mate

[@GabrielLarke]

Hi Chad! I enjoyed your tutorial. Like others I can't seem to find a changelog for 1.03h. I'm on 1.01 right now and I'm considering updating but I don't want to spend hours desoldering and removing heatshrink etc. unless there is a compelling reason to do so. Is 1.03h a major upgrade over 1.01? Do you know of a firmware changelog? I can't seem to find one.

[@FinalGlideAus]

Smoother power, more power, more efficient, bugs like some dead duck fixed

[@GabrielLarke]

Thanks for the reply! Looks like I've got a project for my next day off.

[@sam2b77]

Hi. I'm interested in flashing back to firmware 1.02 (stable release, as sold new-in-box). After I recently flashed to 1.03h, I have a wobble for 2 seconds while in 3D mode when I transition from positive & negative throttle. The wobble also happens after a sudden stop of a full pirouette. It did not exhibit this behavior earlier in the day before with firmware 1.02. Where can I acquire the 1.02 (stable release, as sold new-in-box) firmware, and how may I flash it to the ESC? Thanks in advance, because the wobbles really are scary when I'm trying to so 3D maneuvers and feels like I'm out of control for 2 seconds. :( Thanks.

[@alexanderfedorov7890]

On the mac/linux, you can use 'screen' program (cli) to access the serial port... Its INCLUDED with mac osx. >screen /dev/tty.xxxxxxx 115200 Thats it ;) No arduino crap required.

[@ramziiolo]

how does it work?

[@djklermundable]

oh yeah I'm definitely buying one of those soldering irons. But I just found them on them good and they do not come with an xt60 connector. You will have to make one of those on your own as it comes with a USB lead

[@FinalGlideAus]

pretty simple mod. Wire, XT60, done :)

[@djklermundable]

cool thanks. is there a difference in operation depending on your batteries? 3cell/4cell?

[@FinalGlideAus]

From memory it will take 11-24v input.

[@FinalGlideAus]

I have only tried 4s packs as that is what I use. Higher voltage will be better

[@mvw5411]

Say you don't really have the time to flash would running 3 esc's with 1.01 and 1 esc with 1.02 have any negative impact on my flying?

[@FinalGlideAus]

They would fly the same but I would recommend doing this so you can flash to v1.03 FW as it is a decent improvement.

[@Steriku]

Hi Chad, I flashed from 101 to 102 on my ESC but when I do an "info" after the update it still says 101. Is this correct or did something go wrong? The firmware site states (KISS24A FW v1.02 (1.01 but with bootloader)) so is the 101 referring to the bootloader or firmware version?

[@Steriku]

Can anyone tell me if it is supposed to be 1.02 after updated or should it still be 1.01?

[@Steriku]

So to answer my own question... The Kiss Facebook group said this is a hardware version and it doesn't refer to the firmware version.

[@eric-janvandenbogaard9415]

Thanks, for this great tutorial video, Chad ! if one must do all 4 esc's there can also be made one hex file, out of the 4 serial numbers of the esc's If understand correctly out of the Flyduino manual. I now have bought the 1.02 version from Flyduino directly, does this mean i don't have to use windows on my Macbook to program/use the Taranis or KISS hardware ? I got fed up with M$ and bought a Macbook Pro, 8/265 i5/2.7 2015

[@FinalGlideAus]

1.02 FW can be used through the GUI

[@eric-janvandenbogaard9415]

Nice thing also: the KISS FC gui is a standalone now, it's no Crome app anymore.

[@johntrueblue]

Now I have run through the tutorial with 2 ESCs and after desoldering the bootloader pads I thought id just check via the serial INFO and in the serial number info my ESC still states version 1.01. Would this be a glitch, even tho it told me that it all patched correctly?

[@Steriku]

I have the same, and was wondering the same. I haven't updated to 1.03 yet because I don't want to brick my ESCs. Anyone know the answer?

[@acdfpv4518]

Hey chad ;)

[@davidringler7131]

can the kiss 18amp v1.1 be updated? also are thy ok to use with the new kiss fc?

[@mugentruggy]

Hi Chad, I did the V1.01 upgrade to V1.02. Then I flashed V1.03 from the GUI, motors don't spin when armed and motors cogs. I tried to flash back to V1.02 from the GUI but keeps saying it cant flash the file. Do I need to do the V1.02 upgrade one esc at a time again? I ran on another quad with just V1.02 that runs fine.

[@FinalGlideAus]

Using 1.02 FW esc's you can flash all esc's at the same time through the GUI

[@mugentruggy]

I deleted all the V1.02 hex files that was generated with each serial numbers, I wanted to downgrade from V1.03 back to V1.02, but I cant find a V1.02 esc hex file to use through the GUI.

[@Jacey2001]

I know this is old. but I'm updating some 1.01 esc's I had on my first build, it was a naze32. I also have another quad with full kiss setup.. but these I'm doing now will be going with an SP Racing EVO board. this video was awesome thanks! got them all updated to 1.02... but how do I get them flashed to the latest firmware after ive done this? thanks again Chad.

[@wedgeman3512]

Hi Chad, would this be the same procedure for the Kiss 30amp esc's?

[@FinalGlideAus]

No, there is no FW update for the KISS 30a

[@wedgeman3512]

Sorry Chad, i should of gone through the comments first. I noticed after I posted this comment that you had answered this previously. Thanks for the prompt response anyway.

[@skidgalning]

What is the advantage to upgrading to 1.03 except for the software bootloader? Trying to find info on this without success. Thanks

[@PiManASM]

1.02 is 1.01 with the boot loader, 1.03 has had improvements to the software so that it runs smoother/ more locked/ better

[@dexters_lab]

Can somebody confirm if the version on arduino INFO will change after flashing? I flashed mine but still 101 on the INFO test

[@HimadriFPV]

I have my KISS 24A 1.01 ESCs soldered on a quad right now! Can this process be done with the signal wires intact, without desoldering them? I will disconnect the power to the KISS FC from the pdb while flashing so signal wires shouldn't cause any problem, should it?

[@FinalGlideAus]

I have not tried this so cannot be sure myself. I would think that if there is no power to the KISS FC then you should be fine but cannot be sure.

[@HimadriFPV]

FinalGlideAus Will try it out and see. Removing each and every wire and resoldering it back would be pain in the ass. Hopefully it works! :D

[@flofpv]

Hi Himadri FPV, does it worked?

[@HimadriFPV]

sorry man haven't yet tried..it should work as you are disconnecting the power to kiss fc...thus it won't interfere with flashing process

[@S700KYFPV]

I'm getting the bits together to build your Alien 5". That is a mega lot of farting about. If you buy Kiss 24A now will you be able to flash through the flight control?

[@tolboi3577]

yes- this is just for updating ESCs with FW 1.00-1.01, ESCs bought now will have 1.02 already on them

[@S700KYFPV]

Thanks buddy.

[@ritschieee]

is there a way to do it without unsoldering the ESC from the quad?

[@donaldtrump5489]

ever find an answer?

[@ritschieee]

FlyQuad FPV nope

[@jam3s121]

can anyone provide a link to this programmer that is in the USA?

[@chaserc3699]

Wers all the new flite vids. and wood u ever b coming to new Zealand

[@wdavie27]

Nice video Chad can you have a look at a video of my motor testing to give me an idea of what's happening with this Arf nighthawk 280 pro iv asked a few people but they don't understand why it's taken so long to calibrate my motors if that's ok with you Chad

[@gibmirschnell]

pita ...

[@jaxwyld]

"bleen!" I mean Third!

[@karthikmenon4098]

First

[@r00kiet80]

First

[@terminatord4]

lol

[@umocwazy1]

i don;t know what that is in Fahrenheit...but I don't care.😆.... hahahaha

[@blackmennewstyle]

Poor Mac users, they can not even enjoy a simple arduino software on their operating system...

[@FinalGlideAus]

Wy would we want to? The best thing about doing all that I just did is I can finally remove Windows from my Macbook. All that fiddly stuff just plain annoys me. Now I can get back to doing the fun stuff

[@blackmennewstyle]

It's your choice, i respect that but come on Arduino is far away to be fiddly, so much possibilities over simply flashing old version of KISS ESCs. Pretty neat "ecosystem" for programming, learning and discovering a lot of things about electronics :)

[@FinalGlideAus]

I've tried it before. I did find it fiddly, unintuitive and annoying. Certainly not what you described.