What parts should I maintain on hand for maintenance?

[rjp1267]

Hello All
I am getting prepped for the Spring and wanted to ensure I had adequate replacement parts on hand for my Pro in the event of failures due to wear, crashes/hard landings and of course DJI phasing out parts for the Pro since they discontinued the model.

I was talking to a friend who flies the 4 and he was mentioning the bearings in the motors going bad which prompted me to reach out to the group and get some input as to what consumables to have on hand besides props. In addition, I was thinking whether or not having spare electronics or gimbal to name a few would be wise or overkill.

Thanks in advance for the input.

 

[msinger]

As far as keeping spare parts on hand, an extra set of props is likely all you will need. Anything else you might need in the future can be quickly purchased from websites like Amazon.

The Phantom 3 is one of DJI's most popular drones. It's so popular that they continue to sell it in the DJI Store today (the P3SE). By the time there is a shortage of parts, your Phantom 3 will most likely be long gone and forgotten.

 

[N017RW]

Agreed.

The only consumable is batteries, they will degrade over time.
However batteries should be bought as required since you don't want them sitting on the shelf.

A prop's MTBF is mostly pilot dependent.
But, always good to have a spare set

You're not likely to wear-out anything else.

 

[Steve7777]

As far as keeping spare parts on hand, an extra set of props is likely all you will need. Anything else you might need in the future can be quickly purchased from websites like Amazon.

The Phantom 3 is one of DJI's most popular drones. It's so popular that they continue to sell it in the DJI Store today (the P3SE). By the time there is a shortage of parts, your Phantom 3 will most likely be long gone and forgotten.

I totally agree with msinger.... Another world, admittedly, but I can even now buy parts for my 1961 UK-manufactured sports car. OK - the world moves a bit quicker nowadays, but I don't think that buying spares for the P3s is something that you'll need to be losing sleep over for some time yet...

 

[solentlife]

Props .....

That's about it ..

You mention bearings .......... those are easily obtained using the size and serial number that is engraved into them. Any decent bearing shop can supply - not necessary to go to DJI.

Maintenance tools ? Nice soft cloth to wipe down, prop balancer to keep props in good balance ... what else ? Oh a nice eye-glass cleaning cloth for the camera lense.

Nigel

 

[rjp1267]

Excellent feedback...most definitely going to stock up on props...any preference between carbon fiber or stock?

Are P3SE parts interchangeable with the Pro...from my read of the specs and other info I would say to an extent, but not all inclusive which is why I am concerned about spares in the long term. I plan to upgrade in the next 12 to 18 months and wont necessarily sell my equipment as I maintain them in peak condition which leads to longer life thus the parts concern.

Thanks for the feedback, I am going to post a couple of more discussion topics and look forward to your insights.

 

[solentlife]

Probably only parts SE to Pro are the motors, legs and top shell.

Rest will be for that model.

As to props ... I really cannot see the reason to have CF props ... I am a general RC flyer and appreciate CF props in specific jobs ... but for a P3 ?? The stock GFN props as supplied are excellent compromise on strength, rigidity, price and performance.

Nigel

 

[BigAl07]

Adding CF props will only carry any torque from a crash/situation deeper into the airframe where it's harder and more expensive to repair.

Allow your props to be the "Designed Failure Point" and you'll be much better off down the road. I learned this the hard way many years ago.

 

[N017RW]

You're -flying-by-wire- so there's no performance benefit from CF props.

The the 'true' woven type... look good for static display.

 

[solentlife]

Adding CF props will only carry any torque from a crash/situation deeper into the airframe where it's harder and more expensive to repair.

Allow your props to be the "Designed Failure Point" and you'll be much better off down the road. I learned this the hard way many years ago.

?
CF props usually shatter more easily on contact than GFN props ...

A GFN (Glass Filled Nylon) prop as the DJI stock and APC / Mastewr Airscrew etc. when struck will either sheer at hub or piece break of / out ... but a CF prop will literally shatter into its tows ...

Nigel

 

[BigAl07]

?
CF props usually shatter more easily on contact than GFN props ...

A GFN (Glass Filled Nylon) prop as the DJI stock and APC / Mastewr Airscrew etc. when struck will either sheer at hub or piece break of / out ... but a CF prop will literally shatter into its tows ...

Nigel

Depends on the impact force and direction. When I started using CF on my 700 series CP heli I started bending shafts etc deeper in the airframe until I went back to plastic. YMMV.

 

[msinger]

any preference between carbon fiber or stock?

Use OEM DJI props. They always work well.

 

[Mark The Droner]

If you're into this kind of thing, you might keep an eye on an expensive part such as the camera gimbal assy on eBay. Every once in a while, somebody will start selling something like this NIB from a discontinued DJI AC at an amazingly discounted price. They'll have like 20 of them and sell them as genuine DJI NIB at a reduced price and best offer and also have a few other listings in auction. They don't last long and then they are gone. So you buy it at roughly half of what they're otherwise available for, then you'd put it in a drawer, and later you'll have it when you need it.

Of course, you might otherwise lose the drone before you use the part. In that case, you'd resell the part.

 

[RunningWithScissors]

I would agree with Mark. In talking recently with a local service facility about recommended spare parts, they suggested having a spare camera/gimbal on hand for discontinued Phantoms if the intention was to keep the bird for any length of time. Their explanation was that the available supply of the more expensive proprietary parts would tend to disappear over time, and prices for any remaining inventories would steadily increase. At last check, a new camera/gimbal for a P3S was selling for around $200+.

 

[solentlife]

Sorry - this is not meant to push people away from the P3 ... but in answer to lack of parts as time goes on ... what to do then ...

Why not look at similar to what I did ... take the working parts of the gash P3S and use for a DIY 450 Quad ... ?

For the price of the gimbal assembly of the P3S - you can put together a 450 Quad base unit ....

Yes you would need to buy a Tx and Rx combo - but a 9X setup at about $60 would do that ...

The motors from the P3S are more than good for the 450....

What I am suggesting - just because the P3 parts may increase in price / be short in availability does not mean you are at end of road. The 'real multi-rotor' boys have been at this game a long time and believe me - there are many ways to crack this baby !!

AND with a reasonable 450 setup based on the P3 ... you can have really effective FPV !!

Nigel