Interesting shell crack observation

oldvettedrvr · Jan 11, 2017

I am trying to rebuild a P3P that was crashed and I had to replace the shell. New motors came in yesterday and I managed to get two installed before I had to quit for the day.
When I went out this AM I noticed a CRACK between two screw holes on both motors! These motors have never been run or even hooked up. I made sure that the screws were snug but not tight. Looks like something is stressing the mounting points. Very frustrating!!!

mandalay · Jan 11, 2017

You might want to look into applying Plast-Aid to strengthen the shells.

RocketBrew · Jan 11, 2017

Awesome stuff!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DFHSM6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

mandalay said:
You might want to look into applying Plast-Aid to strengthen the shells.

oldvettedrvr · Jan 11, 2017

I have some of the stuff..
my contention is that they should not crack just from mounting the motor!!!

HWCM · Jan 11, 2017

If you tighten the screws to tight, this will happen.
The odd thing is, I have a Walkera QRX350 and it has reinforcement plates/heat sink thing directly under the motors between the motors and the plastic. I have never heard of a cracking issue with the QRX350. Seems DJI would have thought of this. It looks like a five cent disk of aluminium.
Also, you did not use lock tight did you?

oldvettedrvr · Jan 11, 2017

I used the stuff preapplied to the screws.
They were just barely snug,,no where near tight

Sagebrush · Jan 11, 2017

oldvettedrvr said:
When I went out this AM I noticed a CRACK

Perhaps the crack occurred during the crash, not during the rebuild, and you just noticed it.

Possible?

SB

oldvettedrvr · Jan 12, 2017

Brand new shell,, has no electronics installed when this occured

Mordor · Jan 12, 2017

Search for Plastic Aid....is the best solution!

RocketBrew · Jan 12, 2017

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DFHSM6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mordor said:
Search for Plastic Aid....is the best solution!

Sent from my iPhone using PhantomPilots

AuldGimpy · Jun 3, 2017

Can you tell me how many Phantom 3 repairs (4x motor supports each) I can expect from a 6oz. pack of Plast-Aid, please?
I have 3 Phantoms which I intend going "belt & braces" on with the Plast-Aid and Aluminium Base Support Plates. Would I need more than one jar of the gloop? Might as well get enough and have some in reserve.

I'm more than slightly miffed that I have to do this after only a couple of flights since January and developed serious web cracks. Photos already posted for P3/4k & P3Pro. I don't intend losing potentially 8 weeks out of the short summer flying time. Nor do I want to inherit someone elses well worn 'refurb'! I know that my P3's have low flying time and have been well cared for on my side.

TIA, Alan.