Newbie here.
I just received my Phantom 3 Advanced to day.  I charged the battery and once completed, I tried to turn on.  The quad turned on, beeped, gimbal twitched then smoke came out.  The smoke came out from the SD card location.  Gimbal guard was removed prior to turning on.

Has this happened to anybody?  What could be the cause?
Any insight?
This unit was purchased refurbished.

Send it back, something in the video processor is fried.

Sorry to hear that, please send it in, we'll evaluate it for you.
You can contact our tech support here: http://www.dji.com/support/product

I just received the RMA number.  Will send it back shortly today.  

Could this be the battery as well?
The RMA instructions said no battery.  Just want to make sure it's not it.  Don't want to fry the quad once repaired.  

I also noticed this while I was looking at the Phantom Advanced.  The unit I bought is Advanced and the badge is Standard.  

Let me rotate that.  

fans2d43ce12 Posted at 2017-3-9 14:06
Let me rotate that.

It appears that you received a Phantom 3 Standard, which was shipped in a Phantom 3 Advanced shipping box. I doubt the Standard sticker was placed on an Advanced model by mistake.

Either way, if it's smoking, it needs to be sent back, for replacement. Did you try to get any info through the flight LOG  at www.phantomhelp.com yet?
www.phantomhelp.com/LogViewer/Upload

RedHotPoker

It has been my experience with anything electronic that the smoke always need to stay inside.  It is a vital component to maintain good functioning systems. Once the smoke comes out, they no longer seem to work quite so good. {:4_154:}

Palladous Posted at 2017-3-9 15:17
It has been my experience with anything electronic that the smoke always need to stay inside.  It is a vital component to maintain good functioning systems. Once the smoke comes out, they no longer seem to work quite so good.

Hence the phrase my electrical engineering professor always said about capacitors & resistors: "Don't let the smoke out!"
In regards to the OP: where did you purchase the P3A from? Authorized reseller or eBay/similar?

I bought this on DJI online store.   I didn't even get the chance hook the quad with my phone.  I turned it off as soon as I smell something burning.  So the quad has zero flight.

Now, how do I contact DJI to say which quad did I get?  Advanced with Standard badge OR Standard dressed as Advanced.  

How can you tell which one is this Quad without connecting to phone or tablet?

fans2d43ce12 Posted at 2017-3-9 14:06
Let me rotate that.

The silver nameplate and stickers seem to indicate it is an Advanced model, as you purchased. Quick check is whether the SD card slot is in the side of the camera or the gimbal unit.

Did you remove the foam behind the gimbal? I forgot my first time out. Luckily no problems.

Best send it in for evaluation and replacement if necessary. I have discovered over the years that electronics tend to stop working once the smoke is let out. I have never found an reliable method to put it back in either.

Yes, removed the foam and clear plastic gimbal protector.   I had no intentions of flying the quad.  I wanted to connect to my phone so I can use the simulator.  

I wonder if the GPS was active and logged a location.

You will probably get this replaced but could also get fine to pay*






*If you were in a designated non-smoking zone

fans2d43ce12 Posted at 2017-3-9 14:06
Let me rotate that.

It does seem really odd. It will need to be evaluated in person to determine what's going on. Since you did get a RMA number, this will get sorted soon enough.