Bought a Phantom 3 Standard with 3 batteries, yet 2 wont charge, advice please

[Dave9946]

So 2 days ago I buy a used Phantom 2 Standard off ebay as my first drone to test the waters so to speak. It had 3 batteries with it as well as a range extender which should be useful for this model seeing as it's range is not great by today's standards.

The description stated it came with 3 batteries yet never commented on their status as to weather tested & working or not, simply that it came with 3 batteries. When I arranged the meet to collect the seller mentioned it was her late husband's and she didn't know to much except to mention the conditions the batteries should be kept it charge wise if being stored for any period.

Anyways, I get it home and have a look at everything 1 battery has 2 lights, so I charge this first, fully charged no issue.

The next battery has no light and does not respond in any way when the charger is plugged in and left for any period, not sure what hope there is for this battery as in looking some say it's dead some way there may be a fix, some way it can be reset but not straight forwards etc.

the third battery has a red light and 1 green light on the level gauge that flashes several times when pressed. Pudding the charger in makes it flash several times then all lights go off.

So in the first instance I'm hoping getting the 3rd battery charging is possible but unsure how unless anyone has any suggestions to get the last battery charging.

but is there any hope for the 2nd that won't show any signs of life?.

 

[msinger]

The next battery has no light and does not respond in any way when the charger is plugged in and left for any period, not sure what hope there is for this battery as in looking some say it's dead some way there may be a fix, some way it can be reset but not straight forwards etc.

the third battery has a red light and 1 green light on the level gauge that flashes several times when pressed. Pudding the charger in makes it flash several times then all lights go off.

You'll need to replace both of those batteries. There is no way to revive them.

 

[captainmilehigh]

Welcome to the Forum.

Suggest you checkout msingers site 'phantomhelp.com'. From post #2 above.

There go to the Phantom 2 section to checkout the official Manual, as well as EVERYTHING DJI Phantom......including battery tips in the 'How To' section and the 'Education' section.

Note : if the drone indicates a firmware update is needed....DO NOT update the firmware unless absolutely necessary to fly. Many drones have been bricked due to update issues.

I'd advise to read through the DJI manual and the quick start guide before attempting flight. You can do basic bench testing with the props removed to avoid unexpected unplanned takeoffs......especially inside. Do not be in a hurry to fly.

Check back here with any questions you may have. There are a bunch of members here that will be happy to help.

 

[Dave9946]

Welcome to the Forum.

Suggest you checkout msingers site 'phantomhelp.com'. From post #2 above.

There go to the Phantom 2 section to checkout the official Manual, as well as EVERYTHING DJI Phantom......including battery tips in the 'How To' section and the 'Education' section.

Note : if the drone indicates a firmware update is needed....DO NOT update the firmware unless absolutely necessary to fly. Many drones have been bricked due to update issues.

I'd advise to read through the DJI manual and the quick start guide before attempting flight. You can do basic bench testing with the props removed to avoid unexpected unplanned takeoffs......especially inside. Do not be in a hurry to fly.

Check back here with any questions you may have. There are a bunch of members here that will be happy to help.

Thanks for that & will do, more annoyed & frustrated at at least not checking the battery status before handing over the £150 they wanted as would certainly knocked some money off what I'd have paid. Though even with 1 working battery some might say it's still not to bad a price, more so seeing as the range extenders are about £40-50 alone here in the UK. But to replace the other 2 batteries would be about another £100 which I'm far from happy about. Though could get them for about £35 each off WordPress I don't mind waiting a good several weeks. Even used ones off ebay are going for crazy prices seeing as if original probably well used and unknown age.

Got the app installed and all connected and tested, everything else seems to work and powered the drone up (not flown yet) just indoors to test I've not been sold a total dud.

I've also done the required here in the UK legally required flyers test to get my flyers licence which lasts for 2 years. Just need to buy the operators licence as it's of cause over 249g

 

[Dave9946]

You'll need to replace both of those batteries. There is no way to revive them.

Not even the 1 that has some sign of life?. Is it simply below the ability to charge at all as it flashes several times when the charger is connected to the battery, so kind of recognised the charger to look like it's trying to charge. So would have hoped, if not assumed there might be a way to revive that 1 at least?

 

[RodPad]

Welcome to the forum.

I can't figure out, do you have a P2 or a P3.

Rod ..

 

[Dave9946]

Welcome to the forum.

I can't figure out, do you have a P2 or a P3.

Rod ..

Thanks, it's a Phantom 3 standard

 

[RodPad]

@captainmilehigh ,
Really man, you failed.
P3S..

DJI Phantom 3 Standard Accessories & Tips | Phantom Help

Phantom Help is a site for help with DJI Phantom 3 Standard drones. Find the latest fixes, how-tos, guides, accessories, modifications, and more.

www.phantomhelp.com

Don't mess with the problem batteries or the firmware, yet.

Rod ..

 

[captainmilehigh]

@captainmilehigh ,
Really man, you failed.
P3S..

DJI Phantom 3 Standard Accessories & Tips | Phantom Help

Phantom Help is a site for help with DJI Phantom 3 Standard drones. Find the latest fixes, how-tos, guides, accessories, modifications, and more.

www.phantomhelp.com

Don't mess with the problem batteries or the firmware, yet.

Rod ..

Well geez Rod.......he said it was a '2' so I went with that. Plus, you found out the same time I did......post # 7.

......so just shoot me......

 

[captainmilehigh]

There are aftermarket batteries available for the P3's here in the US,....and probably there in the UK also. Check the forums for pilots' preferences posts for the brand most recommended. Members will probably chime in here with their recommendations also.

Remember, if the battery fails....gravity takes over.

 

[RodPad]

@captainmilehigh
"Remember, if the battery fails....gravity takes over. "
OMG!

"Phantoms just don't fall out of the sky, the RTH is set to china. (Rod)"

Where taking over this guys thread.

@Dave9946
You need to give us an update?
This might get personal with me an captainmilehigh

For Real, I have a lot of bookmarks and info on the P3S
Your turn

Rod ..

 

[captainmilehigh]

It will be interesting to find out what current firmware the bird is on. And @Dave9946, please don't update the firmware even if the app asks you to update. Not yet anyway.

As a reminder, you can bench test inside with the props off the drone. You don't want the bird bouncing off the ceiling and the furniture due to an unexpected takeoff.

 

[Dave9946]

Right, I've looked at the 2 "dead" batteries again and noticed something. The battery that's fully dead as it no sign of life "may" have some bulging. As that seems to have air bubbles of sorts under the foil like cells coating and on 1 side there does appear to be a slight bulge in the narrow plastic that goes across. So with that 1, not going to even think of messing with it.

The other 1, I'm not fully convinced can't be saved as in appearance, it seems fine no issues visually and no signs that could be bulging. This 1 also appears a likely Ali express import as it has a load of china writing on it. The response I get from that when trying to charge is the level lights go from 1 to 4 5 times in a row and then the first level flashes 4 or 5 times then goes off and nothing. It's like it trying to charge but maybe the internal circuitry is simply stopping it, so can it in some way be reset?.

As for the firmware, I've not noticed any prompts to update it. Unsure of when it was last updated or used, but judging by that 1 battery had 2 lights, 1 had a single light and the third nothing, likely a good several months?. But certainly not updating anything at this point.

Already tested it indoors Friday night, never realised activating it would send it to hover mode, thought just enough to start spinning on the ground. At least I was quick to react and grab it. So will test it again later minus the propellers to see what into it might give to the only working batteries health etc.

First things first, need to source at least 1 new battery, not cheap here but need another working battery.

 

[Mark The Droner]

Make sure the battery is about room temp - i.e. not too cold

If the battery doesn't charge, you can try turning it on while it's on the charger plugged in. Sometimes that will wake it up and it'll start charging normally.

Good luck.

 

[dug611]

Depending how the ad is written on eBay, there is a chance that you can return it or deal with the seller through eBay.

 

[RodPad]

What I'm missing,
You do have a working battery that you trust?
Have seen everything work, like view the camera?
How did you start the motors, the app or the remote?

Rod ..

 

[Dave9946]

Make sure the battery is about room temp - i.e. not too cold

If the battery doesn't charge, you can try turning it on while it's on the charger plugged in. Sometimes that will wake it up and it'll start charging normally.

Good luck.

There's a thought, possibly stored at lower than ideal temps and possibly still a little to cold to take a charge now?. I might try putting it near the radiator for a bit to slightly rise it's temp as it is co?d right now, might work, nothing to lose.

as it is now, I can keep plugging the charger in numerous times and it keep going through the same light sequence (1 to 4 5 times then just the first 4/5 times before going off. So something maybe going on there?.

 

[Dave9946]

Depending how the ad is written on eBay, there is a chance that you can return it or deal with the seller through eBay.

I was thinking that as pretty sure it was marked as "all in good working order", which it's not. However unknown to me, after I'd arranged to meet locally to collect they had pulled the ad than marked it as sold, so nowhere to go with that thought sadly. Just wish I'd have known the battery check process first. Would likely still have took it, but offered less.

Ironically, there seems as much a change I can buy a "spares" listing for another phantom 3 drone with a battery or 2 for as much as a new battery or 2 might cost.

 

[Dave9946]

What I'm missing,
You do have a working battery that you trust?
Have seen everything work, like view the camera?
How did you start the motors, the app or the remote?

Rod ..

Yes, I have at least 1 working battery thankfully, weather or not remains to be seen, I'm guessing I can kind of check its health via the flying app?.

started the motors his the app and camera view seems fine. Going to look at the app later to see what into the the drones health I can get.

 

[Mark The Droner]

There's a thought, possibly stored at lower than ideal temps and possibly still a little to cold to take a charge now?. I might try putting it near the radiator for a bit to slightly rise it's temp as it is co?d right now, might work, nothing to lose.

as it is now, I can keep plugging the charger in numerous times and it keep going through the same light sequence (1 to 4 5 times then just the first 4/5 times before going off. So something maybe going on there?.

In my experience, it's okay if it's stored in a cool area - not a 'fridge, but a room that's cooler than normal. It might even be a good thing re longevity. But it might be reluctant to charge right away if you try to charge it cold. Warmer than room temp would not be good.

You are sure you know how to properly power the battery on, correct?