Flashing your ESCs with SimonK Firmware
This is how I flash ESCs I'm using inexpensive RCX ESCs from myrcmart.com but they are not on the list of ESCs in the database. So I looked at the links in the right column showing the ESC without shrink wrap and found these to be exactly the same as the RCTimer ESCs. I've also found that all the ESCs with the Atmega8L chip use the same hex. So the hex I'm using for this ESC is: tgy.
Click this link and you will notice the RCX ESC is exactly the same and uses the Atmega8L.
With this knowledge, I attempted to load the same hex file, the tgy.hex. It loaded and flew wonderfully on my tricopter allowing me to turn the gains almost to max.
When flashing with the USBasp devise, you must open up the kkmulticopter flashtool. If you have loaded the hex files on your hard drive, browse for them. Just to the right of the “file” box you will see a little floppy disc icon. Click on it to browse for the hex file you need. If you have a newer kkmulticopter flashtool version, you can select the hex you need by clicking on the dropdown menu arrow to the right of the “firmware” box. I loaded the hex files on my hard drive so, I selected mine from a file.
Select the hex file you need from it's file location if you have it loaded on your hard drive.
On the chip in your ESC you will notice a small dot in one of the corners. Also on the Atmega Socket Tool has a red dot on it's corner. Match the two dots and press the socket tool onto the chip.
Dot on Chip
Red Dot on Socket
Align the Dot on the Socket with the Dot on the Chip and press the socket onto the chip.
If you selected your hex from a file, you can now click the green button to flash the chip. If you selected your hex from this drop down menu, click this green button to flash the chip. Continue to hold the socket down on the chip while the firmware is being written to it. Once it has successfully written, you will get this message.
When all your ESCs have been flashed with the SimonK firmware they are ready to be installed onto your multirotor. Because the refresh rates are much higher with this firmware, the gains can be increased dramatically. This equates to a flight that is much more precise.
