I recently crashed my drone and it did end up in the water. I've taken all the steps to make sure it is clean and dry and then took off the top to check for any corrosion or damage that I could see on the board. I don't see any damage and it all looks to be fine. I wan't to test it to see if everything is ok but it wont power on because of the battery. The battery will light up (it will do the usual lighting if you press it once and it will also light up as normal if you were to press then hold) but it doesn't seem to output any power (tested with voltmeter) and won't properly charge, it just turns on and the stays solid green when I plug it in and doesn't charge at all. I would take my drone to a repair shop but the problem is that the closest one is 2 hours away. I don't have any other battery and I dont want to drop $70 on a replacement just to find that the drone was broken all along. Is there any way I can try and test the drone to see if everything is good without a battery (not flying just power on) and is there anyway to fix the battery?

Probably nothing you can do, that I know of.

Others might have an answer that may work.

Which Phantom model are you working with?

RedHotPoker

RedHotPoker Posted at 4-11 20:17
Probably nothing you can do, that I know of.

Others might have an answer that may work.

It's a phantom 3 standard

No way to fix battery.  Maybe borrow one and check, but if the AC got really wet, it maybe finished.

Order a battery from Amazon and if the drone doesn't work, just return the battery for a refund.

abrooks03 Posted at 4-12 05:44
It's a phantom 3 standard

As suggested, see if you can’t find someone nearby with a Phantom 3 battery, to test your Phantom.


Hope your drone is still intact, and only the battery is toasted.


RedHotPoker

Hi abrooks03, I'm really sorry to know that.  I would recommend you contact our support team to start up a ticket: https://www.dji.com/support?site=brandsite&from=nav We have the professional team who would do their best to find out the crash reason and then the corresponding resolution would be provided. Please note that DJI will not perform data analysis for cases occurring after the expiry of the warranty period; hence, valid charges will apply. Thank for your support.

The general rule of thumb for drowned Phantoms is that you may be able to save the aircraft if you do it properly, but always discard the battery, they are not able to be safely recovered.

From what I've read over the years, if you've submerged it in fresh water, there's a decent chance you can bring it back if you dry it out and clean it up adequately.  If you've submerged it in salt water, it's almost certainly not salvageable.  

Good luck.

Too bad the DJI drones have water sensors inside that change colour when they get wet.



RedHotPoker

Mark The Droner Posted at 4-12 15:24
From what I've read over the years, if you've submerged it in fresh water, there's a decent chance you can bring it back if you dry it out and clean it up adequately.  If you've submerged it in salt water, it's almost certainly not salvageable.  

Good luck.

Luckily it was fresh water, I'll just have to wait for a new battery to come and hope for the best.

Geebax Posted at 4-12 14:03
The general rule of thumb for drowned Phantoms is that you may be able to save the aircraft if you do it properly, but always discard the battery, they are not able to be safely recovered.

That's what I'm hoping for

Do you have somewhere warm to stash it? say a airing cupboard that has a hot water tank? or a cooling down oven? no more than 50C, you really need to be sure its dry before sticking another battery in it

Sorry to know that

Bashy Posted at 4-12 19:24
Do you have somewhere warm to stash it? say a airing cupboard that has a hot water tank? or a cooling down oven? no more than 50C, you really need to be sure its dry before sticking another battery in it

Already done

I received a new battery and stuck it in, had some gps problems but I messed with it a bit more and everything started working again. I took it for a short test flight and it flew well. Gonna fly it a couple more times tomorrow and test it for sure. Happy it was just the battery this time and not anything else. Thanks for the help

abrooks03 Posted at 4-14 18:07
I received a new battery and stuck it in, had some gps problems but I messed with it a bit more and everything started working again. I took it for a short test flight and it flew well. Gonna fly it a couple more times tomorrow and test it for sure. Happy it was just the battery this time and not anything else. Thanks for the help

Wow, that’s awesome news. Happy everything worked out for you. Happy flying.  

RedHotPoker Posted at 4-12 18:21
Too bad the DJI drones have water sensors inside that change colour when they get wet.

What ? Are you serious ? I didn’t know that.

Sayhelloforme Posted at 4-14 19:57
What ? Are you serious ? I didn’t know that.

Oh yeah. This has been known, for several years already.

Doesn’t matter salt or fresh water... the monitor will turn blue.


RedHotPoker

abrooks03 Posted at 4-14 18:07
I received a new battery and stuck it in, had some gps problems but I messed with it a bit more and everything started working again. I took it for a short test flight and it flew well. Gonna fly it a couple more times tomorrow and test it for sure. Happy it was just the battery this time and not anything else. Thanks for the help

That’s great to hear. Enjoy...


RedHotPoker

RedHotPoker Posted at 4-14 21:11
Oh yeah. This has been known, for several years already.

Doesn’t matter salt or fresh water... the monitor will turn blue.

Wow, that’s cool info. Thanks RHP

Sayhelloforme Posted at 4-16 18:10
Wow, that’s cool info. Thanks RHP

Keep it dry. Prevent the loss of warranty.


RedHotPoker

RedHotPoker Posted at 4-17 05:59
Keep it dry. Prevent the loss of warranty.

I’ll try

Sayhelloforme Posted at 4-17 19:11
I’ll try

We do it, with a wide smile upon the face.  

Besides, I’m pretty landlocked up here in Edmonton.


RedHotPoker