How to make your own Betaflight flight controller wiring diagram

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This is a 2020 update to my "how to wire" series from a few years ago. A lot has changed in FC's but the basic concept--that you can figure out how to wire up your quadcopter by understanding underlying principles--is the sam.e
In this video series, I will teach you how to wire up ANY flight controller without reference to a diagram or manual. You'll know how to power the board and connect accessories like camera, vTX, and receiver. Quadcopter flight controllers seem complicated at first glance, but they all do pretty much the same thing. Once you understand this, wiring them up is easy.

[@nevinleiby]

10:54: Most dad reaction ever. I can definitely relate. Cheers man...that was the best bit ever!

[@genjitsu7448]

Any idea what was it that he was responding to? And I kind of laughed along but thought - why did he not edit this out of the video? Was this done live? Even so this video could be edited. It would have been good if he gave a quick explanation for what happened. In any case, this video for me was really useful and I really liked his approach to this topic.

[@ALL4FPV]

Never bored to watch the Boss, never enough to learn 😉

[@mariusschmitt5855]

Word!

[@stevenpacheco1084]

@Joe pinson JB just has this smart ass grin on his face and all the knowledge to back it up.

[@michaelwblade]

I’m so glad that you are doing these tutorials because I’m brand new to FPV and your making the tough learning curve so much easier. So thanks Joshua Bardwell 👍👍👏👏

[@MessingWithCode]

i agree , i was having a really hard time to understand what did the RSSI standed for and how i could use it and he just explained easy and on no time.

[@AdrianoCasemiro]

This is one of those videos that I hit the like button BEFORE I even play it. Now that the video is over, let me just say: No regrets. Thanks, maestro.

[@joecrupi9381]

Been building quads for 2 years and I still learned a shitload in that video. More of these refresher type videos plz! Thanks!

[@peritrima]

Google always knows what videos to suggest right on time... I just received my first flight controller. The remaining part to start building my drone. It was an AIO. My ESC is an AIO.. So after conversing with my friend (who also has no idea), I launch youtube and there it is.. Top of the list..

[@yawfpv6814]

At this time it is rare to give a tutorial to beginners, and you still give direction, I hope to keep giving space to the beginners, God bless you..

[@iamjsullivan]

i am a newb! i bought all these components then fell across this video! bardwell saves the day again ! yessss thank you

[@sircrashalotfpv144]

Bardwell i love you, my life as a drone flyer is so much easier thanks to you, everytime i have a problem you have made a video already i can use and learn its great, thank you again Bardwell.

[@junito1957]

perfect timing , i in the progress of building my first quad copter, by the way hello from Puerto Rico but i am from Brooklyn ,NY

[@GregQuillen]

I'm original from the bronx. How the build go?

[@thisguyeddiex7136]

@@GregQuillen Assuming it Crashed and burned.. lol (bc of no reply)

[@GregQuillen]

@@thisguyeddiex7136 lol.. It happens 🤣

[@junito1957]

@@thisguyeddiex7136 NOPE I GOT ME A SIM FIRST THEN A EMAX TINYHAWK 2 HOOP AND THEN I GOT THE EMAX TINYHAWK 2 FREESTLYE ONCE I AM GOOD FLYING THEN I FLY MY 5 INCH , OYEA I USE TO FLY GAS POWER RC PLANES WITH 3 FEET WING SPAN SO I NOT NEW IN THE AIR

[@thisguyeddiex7136]

@@junito1957 nice dude! 😎

[@spankos]

Just what i needed. It's hard to find noob friendly info when it comes to RC quad building! Thanks Bardwell!

[@stokes2189]

Project Blue Falcon is another good source. Unfortunately for us all he passed away a few years so nothing’s updated, however, there’s still good information and “how to” vids. Check him out if you haven’t.

[@ehudv9276]

Amazing. As an electronics practitioner and RT embedded programmer, i can say i feel at home when i consume your info. Thank you!!

[@rscottwilson1]

Hey, thanks for breaking everything down and not assuming we know everything. You're a great teacher.

[@murphyking79]

I always come back to THE JOSH BARDWELL!!

[@tbd6403]

Hahaaaa I heard this video mentioned in another video, this is the water dripping one! Hahaaaa the urgency, the panic. Hope you got it all sorted out. Love the vids

[@joecachia2]

These vids are just Wow!. The things that scared me most of these racing quads was actually flying them, so the complexity of the build was a good excuse. Why did u have to make things so darn easy ?? Now I dont have that excuse anymore . Seriously though, great work in explaining things. I just love to see your build videos.

[@ChristKrew-Rev1.8]

As a plumber by trade.... that was funny because I have been there done that lol. Never a dull moment and absolutely love your content brother!

[@alienmoondudes8071]

Thank you for making this video. When I followed a build video from another KZbinr, this part seemed like magic. After watching I feel like I now have a better idea what's going on

[@MysteryD]

I just watched this whole video. Seriously. And I was entertained. Thanks man. Oh, and he's not kidding. He will get back to you if you have legitimate questions.

[@lucasceleste4743]

What a legend. The both of you ;)

[@rulerofgods215]

I just want you to know if you found these videos these videos change my life ty Joshua Bardwell

[@fcass]

Thanks Joshua. This and your previous series is super important and helpful to the entire community. Only 5mins again but I'm sure I'll still learn some things 😉!

[@DominicanSheik]

the leak!!! stop!! LOL that was funny. I think I'm going to give him some money

[@aztecjoe29]

Joshua Bardwell you are you the Man! I will send you money my brother . I got my new SRXL2 SPM4650 working now after watching this video. you said that the Spektrum spm4650 needs to be solder on fc tx1 or tx2 i had it on R2 AND IT DID NOT WORK on betaflight .Everything is good now thank you .

[@hedgerowpete]

Brilliant video, easily the biggest item all other you tube channels and facebook trolls miss and impossible for the novice to learn

[@spiraloftruth183]

you are like the Bob Ross of drone building

[@glennrudolph]

Wow wow wow. This is the most helpful drone building video on KZbin!! I wish you had included motor information and elrs information, but I’m guessing the motor info is in a different video and I’m guessing elrs didn’t exist when you made this video.

[@SlightlyQualified]

I think he made this for me lol I'm wiring my first tonight

[@cesarfpv715]

Good luck m8, tons of fun once you get in the air.

[@kaynatmalar]

It's very easy. If you listen well you cant go wrong with JB. He explains everything excellently. Good luck!

[@kelinryan8222]

Good luck. Just make sure you use a smoke stopper or test with a multi meter before you plug in the battery for the first time. There is nothing worse then getting all put together and plugging in only to smoke the project because of a blob of solder or wires touching making a bridge.

[@Shooter_FPV]

And just go slow... take your time... there's no rush getting it done...

[@zachcagley9519]

I went through sooooo many different videos and forums when I was first starting out, Really gonna be nice for everyone just starting to have all this in one video. Great job, JB!!!

[@sebastianmichael7327]

This video is what I was looking for an hour before you posted! Thanks Joshua!

[@dennislee8253]

This was really great, it's like teaching the man to fish... thank you.

[@thirdeyeascent3821]

I love it! Im so hooked on all the info bradwell is throwing out then... OH CRAP! STOP THERE'S A LEAK! I love that you left that in post! All your videos are so informative! Years later and still so useful! Keep it going Joshua! I love learning something new ever day!!!

[@bornkool]

Great Lesson, America The world 🌍 🌎 needs more great instructors like you. You teaching methods a very engaging. Your content is very interesting and well presented. Thank you fellow KZbinr

[@sqb3832]

I apologize again I already saw the answer in the instruction of JB of the FC apologize a silly question for not reading the instructions well greetings and an EXCELLENT CHANNEL

[@Timber81]

Thank you so much! I am building your JB Phreak style kit. It did not come with any documentation such as your diagrams. But this vid has answered a ton of questions about my build. I would love to see some pretty pictures of wiring added to this kit in the future. It would really help us struggling Noobs. Your the best Joshua! Thanks!!

[@ryanwiesner8269]

Thank you for the insight. Your videos have been helpful. I hope to get my quad past 'arming' and actually get off the ground!

[@jordannovek2911]

Well done ! Ive built at least 10 quads in my first year but Im on auto pilot. I really like your reasoning and explanations of why we connect wires a certain way. Super video Thx JB

[@BB-jq6ek]

this is very interesting thank you...brain overload for rc plane guy looking into this

[@ShaneMTBNZ]

Thanks for the great explanation. I haven't done any of this stuff for over 5 years, and things have changed allot since then.

[@alejandropiccione7936]

This is perfect and what I have been asking for since I'm a beginner to this drone world, you really made it a lot easier to understand how to wire up components. I might actually get this up in the air.

[@naxxtor]

38:57 I had to stop the video and figure out why something to the far left of my desk was saying "flight controller" :o

[@thaddeusj83]

yeah that tripped me out lamo didnt read messages until after 🤣

[@abhishekreddy2425]

Damn, that scared me for a moment...

[@Nlanaconda]

Scared the shit out of me man. Listening with noice canceling headphones it was like someone was behind me

[@roberttruesdell6151]

Lol same thing. I was on the crapper watching the video and though wine was in the bathroom

[@dannyruijzendaal1540]

Right now its 00:14 at night and almost screamed it out! You almost scared the light out of my eyes Bardwell!!! Hahahaha

[@tomg109]

Great video, Josh! I was just starting to plan my first build from scratch and felt a little overwhelmed but now I am halfway done with making my diagram.

[@your2nd]

Liked the video , learned about wiring the boards together but now I need to know how it all works. Want to make a VTOL with three motors , the front two tilting forward , back one stopping to go into fixed wing flight. I guess I will keep learning till I figure it out. Thanks for the help on this.

[@stevenpacheco1084]

heyu brother what is a VTOL i dont think 3 motors could do what 4 motors can do or even 6 motors, 4 is the magic number.

[@eduardomontoya4854]

Thank you so much for this video, I recently broke my vtx from my nazgul5, and bought the tbs unify pro, and I was freaking out cause I didnt know what to solder and where, but with this video my answers were answered!!!!!

[@moschidreamer]

Aha! Now I know why Bardwell is so clever. He is left handed ;)

[@meldesigner]

Hi Joshua, thank you for everything you teach every day, you are truly a special person. Sorry for the bad English. I bought a BNF drone a few weeks ago: iFlight Titan XL5 HD 6S (with TBS Crossfire nano RX, DJI Air Unit, GPS). The drone has never flown (in truth I have never even mounted the propellers). I flahed latest firmware betaflight 4.2 (I don't know if that day I was drunk or who knows what) but I made backups and screenshots of all the BF cards (so I had visualized all the parameters) ... in short, caution is never too much, especially for a beginner like me ... checking the Betaflight "PORTS" card I saw that in the screens I had UART 1 2 3 4 5 6, while after the update I miss the UART 6. On the FC I see that on the UART 1 there is the TBS nano , on the UART 4 ​​there is the GPS and the others there is nothing welded (I took some photos). From the backup screen I see that on the UART 6 the ESC entry was in the Sensor Input column. Do you have any idea what happened? Has the ESC card burned out? Everything seems to work. I can arm and spin motors, all axis seem to be ok. Dji unit is sending video to goggles. I haven't tried flying yet cause I'm bit worried. Anyone has an idea why the red light is still on and the blue light flashing? Any help would be appreciated.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

If a UART disappeared after you flashed the FC, then you flashed the wrong target. The fix is to go to the CLI dump you saved and look at the board name parameter at the top. That is the target you need to flash.

[@meldesigner]

Thank you from the bottom of my heart… I'll read in the Dump and flashed the correct one. You are great! 😉

[@dcsmith5839]

Thanks for posting this.With the electronics changing constantly,it's good to see an update on new features.While there is a lot of info out there,2 or 3 yrs. old doesn't help much.

[@segpie]

Worth a million bucks, thanks a whole bunch Joshua.

[@jkxxkkdot3731]

Highlight 1:42 video start 2:13 esc wiring 4:23 M1, M2, .. 5:13 10:30 31:41 BAT, vcc 8:00 UART 8:41 esc telemetry 10:18 vtx wiring 15:55 cam wiring 18:26 smartaudio 22:30 53:18 cam control, digital cam control 24:23 rx wiring 26:05 48:55 input voltage 3.3v/5v 37:26 buzzer wiring 44:45 what if no +5v

[@aenimagod]

Highlights 10:56 Drip Drip

[@COGNZNT_MXB]

Thank you for this. I'm building my first quad this weekend!

[@flo-ridafpv5713]

Use a multimeter to test for continuity between all power n ground pads bro, saved me a few times, had a small bridge

[@COGNZNT_MXB]

@@flo-ridafpv5713 thanks for the tip. I bought a smoke stopper as well.

[@flo-ridafpv5713]

@@COGNZNT_MXB no prob, do the Lil 5v n ground pads too, hmu if ya get stuck might be able to help

[@colbiecallister2307]

Awesome reference video for those of us that still don’t know it all, thank you sir! I hope your water problem didn’t ruin any thing! 😅

[@jordanmayer8357]

Just bought the CL1 DIY package from RR and this is so helpful. Can’t wait to get it in and start learning!

[@notkira_x]

38:54 Bardwell you freaking scared me man!

[@j.finesseflights1403]

You wearing headphones?

[@notkira_x]

@@j.finesseflights1403 Yes

[@j.finesseflights1403]

😂😂!! I thought someone was standing on my left, scared TF outta me too!!

[@andromedastarchild4489]

this video is full of anomalies lol

[@grvtyboyRC]

It's true............ I learn something every time.

[@davidtomasgaitanrodriguez1356]

Incredibly useful. Great vid!

[@damonbfpv]

10:55 ,thats the same expression i had when water was dripping from one of the lightbulbs in my front room lol

[@ibfisher]

so glad he had on pants......or at least something on :)

[@cumminapart77]

LMAO!!! *drip* *drip* "Shiiit….stoooop! Stooop theres a leak!"

[@docmalc47]

so funny... love how u come back and start talking like you just didnt flip out over whatever the hell it was you flipped out over haha

[@docmalc47]

I've only half assed skimmed thru the comments but I can't find any other mention of this?? How is this so???

[@giantboy]

Can't wait to watch a few more times. Had no trouble wiring my Bardwell AIO. So I I moved to a Kakute setup. I can arm and motors up, but cant get the Tramp vtx / arrow mini pro to work. Even with the great instructions! But I WILL fly soon. Cheers.

[@mobius-1965]

Thanks J.B. I have seen the light..

[@kabirahmed9845]

Great learning experience with you 👍👍👍

[@matthewallen3375]

This demystifies the most challenging part for me to getting a quad working. Thank you. VCC vs Cam Vs R# and T# vs. Bat ? Huh? Now it make some sense. Finally.

[@rgross989]

Fantastic. You have helped me get into the hobby. Have a emaxx pilot pro as you suggested. Now also have a DarwinFPV Baby Ape and emax tinyhawk 2 freestyle. Can make any repairs now that you have helped!

[@virginiacamper]

Nice voiceover! 👊😁👍 Great video! Best explanation of pads and UART use I’ve seen so far! 👍

[@wadehallstrom7260]

thank you for all the time you put into your videos . much appreciated !

[@jlarson42]

Very interesting and informative video. I'll be sharing it with my son in law who is just getting into the hobby. Happy flying 💖🤓

[@stevenpacheco1084]

thank you JB you are like a jedi master teacher. You break things down to neck bone you actually made since of how different components work together and how electricity follows its path. What was off screen at 10:56 that sent you running?

[@robgroove]

Got my like for the leak.

[@michael3573]

Wiring my first ever... (insert component name), and Joshua Bardwell has a video for it. Dig it.

[@emmanuelquinones6421]

Thank you so much for all you have done to help us

[@chrispharias7132]

thank you so much for takig the time t do what you do for us new guys.

[@h2o-fpv623]

Well I like the jb very much its an easy board to build because of the reference u have giving us and I have one and another coming in in a few days.

[@jackdaniels7913]

Grate overview and diagram explanations, longtime viewer and everything you do is a huge help, I'm assured if it want for you many of us would only be flying RTF or BNF models! Thanks for everything!!! 🥃cheers🍻

[@kelinryan8222]

Awesome video full of great info, the only thing looking at the f7 FC I woulda used the other side of that block and used 5v gnd and t/r 1 all grouped together for the receiver.

[@jeffvenable3845]

Great video JB. Very informative. I get frustrated every time I wire up a receiver and just hearing you say something about it made me feel at least "average".....lol. I will pick back up on Patreon when I get through my illness good sir.

[@hoopfpv7911]

Excellent video, thank you for the pointers! I LEARNED SOMETHING TODAY! and yesterday and the day before that... such good content JB!

[@hateeternalmaver]

These are always so useful, thanks very much Joshua!

[@whitmeade4834]

Absolutely worth the watch. Thanks for all of the information

[@_Edtech64]

Your simply put, an awesome teacher! Keep up the great work.

[@frankbarajas]

@ 10:56 that was like me running and yelling upstairs to jiggle the handle to stop the now overflowing toilet that was left to do its own thing and flood everywhere...lol

[@rotorrabbitfpv]

Great video!!! You’re Yoda of the FPV world!

[@MrMadact]

Managed to stupidly fry a vtx on my first build... it was a 20mm stack, the FC had a group of pads labelled 'gnd, +9v for vtx, vtx, vtx control' ... so I went and hooked them up to the vtx, didn't I. Surprise, it turns out that the vtx that came with the stack takes +5V :( which serves me right for not checking I guess, on the other hand that labelling is a nasty gotcha for a newbie. Just glad that the FC-ESC cable for the stack didn't come with the pins in the wrong order at that rate :P

[@BonesFPV]

I liked the part at 10:59 where you ran like Barry from the Goldbergs.

[@TomCatT_]

Good video. At least you plan it all out. I just start wiring it up as I go.

[@feenixed4604]

Man and I just got done with my first build lol this would have saved me so much pain lol - nice vid

[@leefurniss]

what happened at 11:00😂Great videos BTW Mr Bardwell

[@keitharoo1962]

I'm getting ready to do my first quad build. This was VERY helpful. I'm not afraid of it now. Thanks so much!!!!

[@Dblackarialallstars]

Thankyou very much Mr Bardwell. Another amazing vid!

[@CarbonGlassMan]

If something is labeled "NC", don't connect anything to it. I used a mismatched FC and ESC. All labels for the harness lined up perfectly. The only difference was the ESC had a wire labeled "TX" which went to the flight controller's "NC" pad. That caused a short. I removed that wire and everything works.

[@minjunkevink]

This is amazing. The most helpful video so far from you! Thanks🙌

[@h2o-fpv623]

Great video thank u. Ok the first time me connecting the camera I did cut off the wire from the joy stick lol

[@sailorjohn2224]

After booting up a wizard 220 to later pgm, My rec (dsm) wouldn't failsafe but after 2 months I managed to get the controller failsafe to kind of work . But what blew my mind was the info popup and the red arming mode informing me of a failsafe problem . I must have missed the vlog to with updates to betaflight.

[@iflyfpv5927]

Great video for newcomers, I would of loved to of seen this video last week when I was working with xfire nano and tango2, it answers so many questions... 👍👍💯💯😎😎

[@GiorgioAlzora54]

Excellent video, thanks a lot. Waiting now for betaflight configuration :-)

[@denislamadeleine1181]

Thanks for a great tutorial, this can definitely get confusing.

[@brandam4179]

Thank you so much for this video you put together

[@PabloGarcia-zk7sj]

Hey, @JoshuaBardwell I was freacking dying when the leak started. When something like that happens again, please leave it in the video. The more I see it, the better it gets, hahahahahah

[@CalleyyyC]

@55:23 “If you did watch this vid 3 times and it finally all sunk in and you were like ah I see the code of the matrix, I know how to wire up flight controllers” 😂😂😂

[@lucasceleste4743]

Lol

[@jackclark4745]

Joshua! You need to do a video on ohms law. I feel it would help alot of people in nearly all aspects of buliding quads

[@twitchfpv6797]

well done J. Even though I have been in the hobby for about 4 years now I still have problems with receivers from time to time. Yes they are FRSKYl. Its nice to know that i'm not the only one. The inversion\ uninversion always gets me. lol

[@team01shakenbake]

this was great timing, i am mid build right now

[@bamboofpv8959]

the leakage was too funny