Original Owner, have not used in many years question

[demar002]

Hello I am new to the forum. I purchased my Phantom 3 many years ago. (Approximately 6-7 years ago, maybe longer). It has been stored in its original case. All 3 batteries and all original equipment. I have decided I would like to relearn and use the drone. Questions I am hoping you all can help me with.

1. Are the batteries functional. I have a 3 or 4 bank charger. I have the batteries currently on the charger. The charger is blinking 0.00 and 17.5. I do not see anything else occurring and no lights are illuminating on the batteries. I have had them on the charger for 10 minutes currently. What should I see if they are indeed functional ?
2. I am assuming I need to do some type of firmware update.
3. I have to download the app to my mini-ipad. I am assuming I just look for the DJI app?
4. Is this even worth it at this point and time, or do I just go ahead a purchase a new drone and start again with a brand new updated drone. I prefer to keep and use what I have but just do not know if it is worth it.
5. Can anyone send me a highly recommended tutorial / video, I do not remember anything about how to fly the drone. I have the quick start guide that points me to learning videos but did not know if there is something better out there at this point.
Thanks again for your help and support.

 

[RodPad]

Welcome to the forum.

DON'T MESS THE FIRMWARE YET!
What model of P3?
"I have a 3 or 4 bank charger. I have the batteries currently on the charger. The charger is blinking 0.00 and 17.5"
Is this a after market charger?
If so try the original one.

The app is still available, its name is DJI Go.

They is a lot of info here on @msinger Help.

DJI Phantom 3 Advanced Accessories & Tips | Phantom Help

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

www.phantomhelp.com

You can pick witch P3 you have.

The main question right now is the batteries.

Any questions ask,

There is many here that can help.

Rod ..

 

[Meta4]

I purchased my Phantom 3 many years ago. (Approximately 6-7 years ago, maybe longer).

Longer is possible given that the Phantom 4 series started back in 2016.

1. Are the batteries functional.

If they've been in storage that long, maybe not.
I'm not sure what the supply of batteries for the Phantom 3 series is like, but that might be a problem for you.

I have had them on the charger for 10 minutes currently. What should I see if they are indeed functional

If the batteries are working, it would probably take an hour or so to charge them.
You'd see one led start to blink and after a while it would be 1 then two, later 1 then 2, then 3 etc.
But if no leds are blinking after a couple of hours, things aren't looking good for the batteries.

 

[captainmilehigh]

Welcome to the Forum.

As mentioned above, do NOT mess with the firmware......even if it prompts you to update. I also recommend you use the original battery charger to try to revive each battery one at a time.

Msingers site 'phantomhelp.com' has all the info you may need to answer many of your questions. Just select the drone model you have to open the section dedicated to that model.

You can also download the user manual from that site. (Not the limited quick-start guide)

Be prepared to answer a bunch of questions from forum members who will try to help you get up to speed......and in the air.

Again, welcome to the Forum.

 

[crash1sttime]

Hello I am new to the forum. I purchased my Phantom 3 many years ago. (Approximately 6-7 years ago, maybe longer). It has been stored in its original case.

If its the Pro or Advanced and its not been used for a long period there is a good chance that the video feed will have failed, this is a common issue sadly. on the plus side if its the Pro it can be repaired (albeit with a lot of work) but if its the advanced then it cant.

 

[demar002]

If its the Pro or Advanced and its not been used for a long period there is a good chance that the video feed will have failed, this is a common issue sadly. on the plus side if its the Pro it can be repaired (albeit with a lot of work) but if its the advanced then it cant.

It is the standard version. None of the batteries work. Is it worth purchasing new batteries and trying to get this to work. Should i just give up the idea at this point ?

 

[quaddamage]

Ok the answers are a bit erratic.. I will just et the 1st question:

1. Are the batteries functional. I have a 3 or 4 bank charger. I have the batteries currently on the charger. The charger is blinking 0.00 and 17.5. I do not see anything else occurring and no lights are illuminating on the batteries. I have had them on the charger for 10 minutes currently. What should I see if they are indeed functional ?

Make sure it's not a generic Li-Po charger, but a DJI charger. DJI "chargers" are not really chargers but simple power supply.

For how your charger and its display works - we don't know, as this is not a standard Phantom charger. The standard one has no display. Though most chargers with display will also show you units, ie. 17.5V or 0.0A.

For what to do if not charging - sometimes if cells are only slightly above 3V, they can be trickle charged to working order by being connected for 24 hours. If the self-discharge dropped them below 3V per cell, then the battery entered "Permanent Failure" state and you won't be able to charge it ever again. Unless you can reset error flags, but since you're asking you clearly can't.

When a battery trickle charges, it shows either nothing or first diode blinking.
If a battery is in PF state, it either displays nothing, or shows charging (one or more diodes blinking) for circa two seconds, then nothing, then charging again, and that goes for ever.
A battery in PF state can also in some cases show an error code - then a diode is lit or blinking, but not the first one; when error codes are shown, the first diode is always off.

When a battery charges normally, it shows diodes lighting up sequentially in a row, up to the current charge level. Then they all turn off and start lighting up again.

 

[demar002]

I took the batteries off the after market charger and used the charger that came with the drone. I have kept that on for over 24 hours and have zero lights come on

 

[crash1sttime]

It is the standard version. None of the batteries work. Is it worth purchasing new batteries and trying to get this to work. Should i just give up the idea at this point ?

The standard was the worst drone DJI produced, i wouldnt waste money on batteries

I took the batteries off the after market charger and used the charger that came with the drone. I have kept that on for over 24 hours and have zero lights come on

Yep they are dead

 

[JimD.]

I wouldn’t put one dime into it.
If you get a new DJI drone like a mini just the difference in size makes it worth it. It’s the difference between lugging a huge case or a very small one.

Needless to say the technology is so much more advanced. Also, Battery technology is way better.
Also, the Fly app is still under active development

 

[crash1sttime]

Also, the Fly app is still under active development

What makes you think that? the app hasnt changed in the slightest in the last 3 years or so, but I wish it would as its missing some features

 

[JimD.]

What makes you think that? the app hasnt changed in the slightest in the last 3 years or so, but I wish it would as its missing some features

Is there another app that replaces it?

 

[AlienzEyes]

Hi. I'm doing Exactly like you and dug out my Pro DJI case and am charging my 5 batteries. For me, Luckily I have been recharging my batteries like once every YEAR but, they 1,2,3,4 charge. When I did mine(waayyy back then), I did the firmware rewrites, unlocking all of the limits (height & distance), and so After I re-become completely familiar with flying it, must be very careful not to fly too far because I'm not too sure about my battery mileage now. I kept the Hacked App version of the DJI Go that doesn't screw everything up like lock you out without a forced firmware update so my Pro's not checked and "should" fly. Did you go ahead and buy any new batteries, if so where? Did you refly at all?