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ESC Board Replacement - Should it be so Difficult?
804 4 2016-1-21
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MarkV
lvl.1
United States
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I decided to update a couple of P3's to version 2 because I am working on extended flight times and need the cooler running motors of that version.  Of course, this involves replacing the ESC board to match the version.  I won't even get into opening the thing up.  As most of the experienced Phantom users know, the power connections are generally soldered, and this makes perfect sense.  These need to be very solid connections.

The new ESC board comes with printed points intended to be tinned and joined with a tinned conductor.  Now this sounds straight forward, but you need to see how small some of these details are to understand why I am asking this.  Furthermore, I want to change my question.  Is there a reason DJI isn't pre-tinning these contact points as part of their quality control?

The obvious answer would be that DJI is trying to save money.  I hope that is not the case because this is a safety issue.  DJI is far more qualified to tin these points than any consumer.  It is far too easy to damage a circuit board with too much heat from a soldering iron. If those points came already tinned, there would not be much reason to apply much heat to the board.

As I alluded to above, I also think it is part of quality control.  I know this by experience.  My first Phantom turned out fine.  My second one had problems that showed up during the tinning phase.  Two of the pads for the LED's simply fell off. Then there is working with DJI on this, something I don't recommend.

I really am baffled though.  I can't imagine any US manufacturer not pre-tinning something like that.  I must be missing something.  (not the fist time....)
2016-1-21
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Geebax
Captain
Australia
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If the pads fell off then you are either using far too hot an iron or leaving the iron on the pads for too long. Possibly both.
2016-1-22
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MarkV
lvl.1
United States
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Geebax Posted at 2016-1-22 00:26
If the pads fell off then you are either using far too hot an iron or leaving the iron on the pads f ...


My point - Thank you.

But really, why am I tinning these intricate, delicate areas?  I would expect this to have been done by the manufacturer.  This is pretty normal on domestic boards I see.  And there is a practical reason to do it in this case.  DJI can't expect all consumers to be soldering artists.  Btw, your comment assumes an awful lot.  I am a C10 licensed electrician, but I'm not going to say you are wrong.  I am really questioning the system here.  But, as I mentioned earlier, I was also wondering if there was something basic I was missing.
2016-1-22
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flocko
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United States
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I'm not going to dispute your frustration because it is yours , you own the frustration and I can see your point . However , I always took the view that there was a bit of a trade off on these quads in so much as that they are pre assembled and have an aire of ease-ability of flight that appeals to beginners . I guess I just assumed not doing major changes myself was just a trade off . If I want that then I would build my own from a kit . Which ... later on when I get better / comfortable with flying I intend to do .   
2016-1-22
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MarkV
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United States
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flocko Posted at 2016-1-22 02:21
I'm not going to dispute your frustration because it is yours , you own the frustration and I can se ...

Right, especially the P3's - a lot of bang for the buck.  I am just doing my civic duty trying to help the next guy that has to struggle with this.  Comments like this might help change DJI policy, you never know.  Or, maybe there is a reason those pads are left bare that I don't know about yet....
2016-1-22
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