Cracks & Airworthiness

UAP Tic Tac · Oct 1, 2019

I became aware of hair line cracks under the rotorarms of my legendary P3 Standard two years ago. Using superglue I sealed these and carried on with no problems.

Tonight during an evening flight I noticed that two of my black dji carbon props were grating on the upper hull on descent.

Upon landing I tracked down the problem to expanding new cracks thus allowing the arm to over flex thus rubbing issue.

Is this the end off the line for my veteran legendary drone or is a fix possible ???

I have a P4 with a totally different arm design and a Sparky. Is P3 a museum piece now ????

Thanks for any opinions.

Capt KO · Oct 1, 2019

Google, (motor supports for P3S). These should solve your problem, if not, you will need a new shell.

UAP Tic Tac · Oct 1, 2019

Capt KO said:
Google, (motor supports for P3S). These should solve your problem, if not, you will need a new shell.

Thanks Captain. Wouldn't know how to replace shell.

UAP Tic Tac · Oct 1, 2019

Capt KO said:
You might want to move this post to the P3 site instead of photo/video. There have been many previous posts concerning your issue if you would like to go back and review a few. Good luck

Thanks pal. Yes

UAP Tic Tac · Oct 1, 2019

UAP Tic Tac said:
Thanks pal. Yes

I think the bracket support will fix it. Happy out.

WV. Rootman · Oct 1, 2019

If you need a new upper shell, it is super simple to replace. Check it out on You Tube.

UAP Tic Tac · Oct 2, 2019

WV. Rootman said:
If you need a new upper shell, it is super simple to replace. Check it out on You Tube.

Thanks for this and I can see that they are inexpensive. Going to try motor support first. Thanks again

skippyw · Oct 18, 2019

I've seen some YouTube videos using super glue AND baking soda to seal up a lot of breaks/cracks.
It makes a bond better than the super glue alone can do.
I've yet to try it but demos I've seen look promising. It's worth a shot to try.

UAP Tic Tac · Oct 18, 2019

Thanks to the advice here I got my motor mounts on eBay . What an elegant solution to the problem. P3 back in the air and I believe I have years of epic flights ahead. My operational fleet is still three aircraft. The P3 is the oldest drone I have and now almost 5 years old.

Capt KO · Oct 18, 2019

Good going. ? I just got done installing them on two P3P's this afternoon. I've gotten pretty fast at it. Take care fly happy. And safe ?

dronesky · Oct 18, 2019

Capt KO said:
Good going. ? I just got done installing them on two P3P's this afternoon. I've gotten pretty fast at it. Take care fly happy. And safe ?

Capt KO where did you buy them at please didnt like the one i got

Capt KO · Oct 18, 2019

Dronsky,
Amazon Owoda brand $19.95 cnc alum.
Just ordered another set 10 minutes ago. So far very happy. And they look cool. Self-explanatory but be sure to use the supplied spacers in the rear holes. Have fun.

dronesky · Oct 18, 2019

Capt KO said:
Dronsky,
Amazon Owoda brand $19.95 cnc alum.
Just ordered another set 10 minutes ago. So far very happy. And they look cool. Self-explanatory but be sure to use the supplied spacers in the rear holes. Have fun.

Thanks Capt Ko

UAP Tic Tac · Oct 20, 2019

The only snag I hit was for the inner screws. None of the Alan Keys I got in each of the packs could loosen these screws (there is also a cylindrical sleeve with these). In other words, I have the mounts secured with fours screws at each motor. I keep checking after each flight and everything seems absolutely perfect. An elegant solution to extend the life of this great drone - what is there not to like ?

UAP Tic Tac · Oct 20, 2019

Capt KO said:
Good going. ? I just got done installing them on two P3P's this afternoon. I've gotten pretty fast at it. Take care fly happy. And safe ?

Happy flying pal.

Capt KO · Oct 20, 2019

UAP Tic Tac said:
The only snag I hit was for the inner screws. None of the Alan Keys I got in each of the packs could loosen these screws (there is also a cylindrical sleeve with these). In other words, I have the mounts secured with fours screws at each motor. I keep checking after each flight and everything seems absolutely perfect. An elegant solution to extend the life of this great drone - what is there not to like ?

The original screws, including the ones in the back, use T8. My Nanch set T8 fits all 6 but the one included does not fit the rear Stupid. I didn't know that until you just told me. I just went through a whole box of Allen wrenches and none will fit that screw only T8 Torx wrench will work. Sorry about that but I would recommend installing those rear screws. My Nanch set is $20 at Amazon. I'm sure you can get a T8 at a hardware store.
Note: The wrenches in the new set work with the new screws.