[FW] Tracked 4WD Lifter: Aegis

[overkill]

You can get a new firmware for the TZ85a that makes it reversible with a brushless motor. Search for 'SimonK tz85a reverse' but be careful, there several versions with different functions.

[R9000]

Ah yeah, thanks! I've found a big zip file with hex files for loads of different ESCs. Looking at the list though (cross-referencing with the github page), there doesn't seem to be one for the TZ85. Although, there are a few videos of people who have done it.

-Edit- Never mind! According to shakrenaaj (Shakey, I think)'s youtube, it's the BlueSeries version I need.

-Edit 2- Yep! It works! So for anyone who comes across this thread later, here's how you change a brushless TZ85A ESC from unidirectional to bi-directional (reversible), so you don't have to wade through the internet maze I did:

-Get the KKMulticopter Flash Tool from here.
You can use some other flashing tool if you want, like Atmel Studio, but I found this easier.

-Open up your TZ85 to reveal the board inside (you may need to 'convert' some of the 2mm-headed hex screws like I did with a junior hacksaw. Two of them went bald on top straight away, so I had to make a groove in which I could use my small flat-bladed screwdriver.

-Make sure you have the USBasp programming device, and either solder on programming wires (as in the brushed hack post) or use a socket flashing tool like I did. Also make sure you have your USBasp drivers installed (you may need to turn off driver signature verification on Windows).

-Download the SimonK hex files from here. For the TZ85, you'll be wanting the 'bs.hex' (BlueSeries) hex file. Just put it somewhere where you can get to it in a second. There's more information about the hex files in the README file in that Github directory.

-Open up your KKMulticopter Flash Tool (use the 64-bit or 32-bit exe, whichever's appropriate for your system). Make sure the options are set as in the image below. Basically though, just make sure the USBasp device is selected (make sure you've got it plugged in too) and click on the 'File' tab as seen below. You'll need to click the floppy disk button to browse for your bs.hex file now.

-Now just hold your flashing tool (if you're using it) onto the ESC's chip with the red dot on the tool aligned with the small dot on the chip, and click the green flash button. Provided you've got the drivers installed and everything's done right, the software should print out that it flashed successfully. Then just reassemble your ESC, and you're ready to go! Once you hook your receiver, motor and battery back up, the motor should run forwards or backwards, depending on which way you push the stick.



Thanks again for your help, overkill. This weapon is gonna be good.