Last edited by daveac@hotmail.co.uk In 2015-1-4 21:24 Editor I have been reading about the esc failures, I have had my phantom for a week now with 4 x 20 minute flights, no problems as yet, should i be worried about the esc wires melting, I have seen a video on u tube of the wire size comparision. yes the wires look a lot smaller. Should I contact my dealer and raise my concerns?.  I already had a flyaway with a blade qx350 v2 after just 4 minutes of flight!!!. I bought the Phantom hoping it was a better product, now I am very nervous about the esc wiring, I can not afford to risk this machine.

If you can't afford the risk of losing it don't fly it. Return it or sell it.  This hobby isn't for you.

jamesnns@gmail. Posted at 2015-1-4 23:30
If you can't afford the risk of losing it don't fly it. Return it or sell it.  This hobby isn't for  ...

What an utterly stupid reply!!!, Who said anything about losing it or it flying away. read the post I am worried about burning up of the esc.

for example: Mr b buys a new car, Mr c buys a new car, Mr d buys a new car and I buy a new car, all the same brand,  Mr b is driving his car and the crankshaft lets go and comes through the side of the engine, the same thing happens to Mr d.
Mr c and I hear about this.
Do we seek advise from the dealer /manufacturer? or do we sell it and say to ourselves cars are not for us?
I have invested money in this thing, which I worked hard for. If there is a problem with the esc I want to know about and not sell the problem onto somebody else. It does not matter if I paid $ or $$$$$$ for it.  It still needs to function correctly. I dont know where you are located, but here in the UK we have protection called "the sale of goods act" which means goods that you buy must be fit for purpose. if the esc are burning up, huh hello!!! that's not fit for purpose.
What your saying is you don't mind paying money for 2nd rate goods. I will decide which hobbies are or are not for me.

There is normally a reason for the ESC to burn up, in my case it happened after a minor crash, if your props stall because of hitting something twig or leaf, or your props  dig into the ground if the Phantom  tips over on landing or take off, this stalls the motor and draws excess power through the ESC. Which causes the burnout. So keep clear of hazards when flying and if you do crash and the machine topples turn off the motors asap. Basically avoid anything that will cause your motors to be put under extra strain (other than normal flight) and you should be ok.

mikelycett@btin Posted at 2015-1-5 01:30
There is normally a reason for the ESC to burn up, in my case it happened after a minor crash, if yo ...

Thanks thats quite understandable, the same way you can burn out an electric drill or motor by overloading it.

This is good info to have and I appreciate it being posted and shared, but it's not a fix.  DJI needs to step up and address this with a fix or at least acknowledgment and that they are working on a solution.  

Simply being careful not to tip over or bump something is like buying a new car and learning that if you bump something while parking or something your engine will basically fry.  

Not good.   I just purchased my V3 a few weeks ago and I'm finding this more than a little concerning.  Had I known this beforehand I wouldn't have purchased it.  
Let's hope DJI will speak up.  

I have  a new PV+ V3 with about 15 flights.  Inspected the wiring from the esc to motors. Looked ok but I separated each wire so they were not touching.  My understanding is the insulation get hot, melts, then the wires short causing mayhem.

daveac@hotmail. Posted at 2015-1-5 01:02
What an utterly stupid reply!!!, Who said anything about losing it or it flying away. read the pos ...

No...you said "I can not afford to risk this machine.."

Regardless of the reason of failure, If you CANNOT afford the RISK then you shouldn't have one.
Like going to a casino, putting your money down on a bet, then posting you can NOT afford to lose the money.
Don't bet, don't RISK the potential loss. Its that easy.
EVERYBODY who owns one of these things takes the risks..all of us. Wether pilot error, software error,hardware malfunction or act of God.
Simple logic. If you CANT risk it, then don't. Thats all my point was.
Perhaps you meant something different in your post. Idk. You end statement was "I can not afford to risk this machine."
Then don't.

I think the OP's point was that this is possibly an "unnecessary"  risk. With numerous failures and flyaways , the esc problem is not  a risk that you assume...... like flying into a tree is something you could expect.

I think a hardware malfunction such as an ESC burning up,  is an 'assumed' risk and not an 'unnecessary' risk.
It is what it is.
Dont like the game? Dont play
Just my imho...thats all.
Theres SO MANY varibles in this dji game....theres risk in just turning these things on

Heck ,the 2010 AR Drone had the props stop when they hit something - DJI should be able to program that well enough in 2015.....

This is an unnecessary risk. I was ready to pick up another Phantom (V3) and won't do so until I find out the real scoop - a fix is probably easy but why should i deal with doing it myself (it's winter anyway up  here - less flying days)...

Plus, they are coming up with something new at CES - of course, the chances of that (any quad, actually) being perfect is about zero....but still.

jamesnns@gmail. Posted at 2015-1-5 05:17
I think a hardware malfunction such as an ESC burning up,  is an 'assumed' risk and not an 'unnecess ...

I respectfully disagree.  If the ESC is burning out due to the motor wires being too thin and overheating, then that is a defect by the manufacturer, not a risk.  

I believe most or all people who buy and fly RC aircraft and participate in this hobby understand that there is an inherent risk, but (and I know I'm not alone here) I expect the manufacturer of my aircraft to sell me items that do not have defective parts or assembly that will cause the aircraft to crash and get damaged.  
This wiring defect was obviously an oversight by DJI, but I'd expect them to address it and remedy it to the best of their ability.  

I agree droneflyer.."This is an unnecessary risk"
An unnecessary risk is STILL a risk whether someone likes it or not. If you didnt build it, program it..then you have to accept the risks.
The only part that got me..was the "I can NOT afford to risk this machine."
Thats all.
Crossing the street is a risk.
Life is a risk. Im sorry if Im coming across as an A0hole..but come on.....
It an expensive battery powered prop propelled piece of machinery.
There are risks.
Im sorry to be rude, but whatever those risks are, no matter...dont risk if you cant "afford' it.
3 of my friends on another forum lost there Phantoms yesterday for one reason or another. Not a ONE complained about the 'risks' they took or the $ consequences from taking those risks.

dJI takes risks farming out manufacturing. Dji EXPECTS...and in FACT, there is a % of KNOWN units that are going to be defective.
What? You've NEVER bought a defective item from a retailer before?
Never?
You're one lucky person.
Of course theres going to be bad, defective units sold, price doesnt matter.
$500.000 Lamborghinis have been sold with 'bad', malfunctioning new factory parts.  
Then the only question is...is how good is dji about accepting fault and replacing a defective product?
But again.....
If you cant take the 'risk'..then very simply dont play.
I just dont understand ANYONE that states " I can NOT afford ti risk this machine"  I just cant fathom that statement.

James. you aren't helping the OP are you? he's asked a simple question about the ESC boards and you've jumped on the negative footing straight away, I'm away to start my own thread on the same topic, I'll know to watch my wording LOL

Pmcdn2014 Posted at 2015-1-5 05:30
I respectfully disagree.  If the ESC is burning out due to the motor wires being too thin and over ...

Are you SURE that that's the problem? Latest data seems to suggest that the wiring is OK and has nothing to do with these failures, however many or few there are.

MacCool Posted at 2015-1-5 06:44
Are you SURE that that's the problem? Latest data seems to suggest that the wiring is OK and has n ...

i read the earlier P2 vision V3s had bad ESC FW on it and thats why they overheated. I also disagree with james here, yes if you buy a product there is the change you get a faulty one and yes ferraris can have faults as well. In this case it would be different because it seems like a whole batch of phantoms with this problem

Daninho Posted at 2015-1-5 10:37
i read the earlier P2 vision V3s had bad ESC FW on it and thats why they overheated. I also disagr ...

Yeah, my thoughts all along are if there is a defect, that's OK if the manufacturer fixes it.  However, I'm beginning to wonder how "big" a problem this really is or if it's only affecting a handful of people who are making a lot of noise making it seem like an epidemic, when it may not be.  We'll see.

Do yourself a favour and read this post...

http://forum.dji.com/forum.php?m ... ra=page%3D1&lang=en

You will find it very informative but it will not do much to ease your concerns. Having said that it gives me confidence that someone is putting some effort into improving things and I hope it will keep DJI making the future possible!

Regards

Guy MacDonald

jamesnns@gmail. Posted at 2015-1-5 05:06
No...you said "I can not afford to risk this machine.."

Regardless of the reason of failure, If y ...

There is more than one meaning for the word afford.

Regards

Guy MacDonald

I just bought a late 2014 PV2 3.0 and it should be here tomorrow 1/5/15.  I'm hoping I get lucky and don't have issues with esc burning up. But I will inspect all the installed wiring before flying it. I believe as a RC hobbits , we should all inspect our drones to make share they are air worthy before we fly them.  Real pilots do