My Phantom drone controller has stopped charging . It’s been left too long without topping up and needs new battery basically.
Anyone know of a UK based repairer that will swap the battery out? I’m aware that it can be done myself but I CBA with all the fiddly connections so I’m happy to pay someone else to do it if it’s reasonable…
There's heliguy up north.
Then there's an authorised centre in Nottingham. Can't remember the name.
Or send it back to NL for a pretty swift repair by DJI themselves.
Explain the problem more to me?
So one LED flashes continuously and it never actually takes any charge despite being left overnight etc. It works fine when plugged in (ie it powers on and connects to the drone etc) its annoying actually as I’ve regularly checked the charge on it by pressing the power button and it always had 2-3 LEDs lit with a storage charge on it. The flight batteries I have had to keep topped up but I ended up just leaving the controller as it kept showing 2-3 LEDs for well over a year since I last used it.
Heliguy isn’t too far from me actually so I might call them and see what they’ll charge (pun intended!). I’ve ordered a battery off eBay but they all seem to be compatible rather than DJI original - battery is buried deep in the controller and so a bit fiddly to replace but not impossible and no soldering required so doable DIY I suppose…
Its possible it may not be the battery at all though and the charging circuitry is goosed or something which is a risk… what do you reckon @rone ? Presumably you have some knowledge of drones….?
Yeah I've had loads of DJI drones.
Ive had at least one phantom DJI battery failure. That was a dispose job though because it swollen.
I was struggling I remember what the phantom RC looked like. I had two phantom 4s (regular and obsidian.)
I would say it's worth having a go replacing it. Chances are it is the battery given the age.
Or I suppose you try and source another remote?
DJI batteries (some of them) do deliberately discharge themselves over time too.
Heliguy were okay to me - they actually ended up sending my drone back to DJI due to special part. But was very cost effective.
I don't keep my drones much longer than a year because of upgrades but have had very few issues other than self-inflicted ones!
I've not taken apart one of those remotes so don't know. Sometimes there are bindings between cells etc.
Have you searched YouTube?
I contacted DJI and they have said that they no longer support it and sent me a link to their store to buy a new drone!
I have searched YouTube and there are videos showing the battery replacement. It’s not too bad just fiddly and 5 or 6 ribbon connectors that need putting back in the correct place. The main board needs removing as the battery is underneath it annoyingly.
A couple of YouTube videos suggest that a chip needs re soldering as not charging is because of this. I’ll try a new battery first although the one I ordered has arrived and looks a bit second hand rather than new and has a 2019 manufacture date on it.
The flight batteries definitely discharge themselves over time and I have had to replace one before because of this but the controller always seemed to hold its charge so I’m surprised it’s knackered which makes me think it may be a problem chip…😟
It’s a bit frustrating if it’s scrap though as it cost over £1500!!!
I’ll ring Heliguy.
Ah okay good luck.
I'm sure you will be able to make a controller work somehow - either battery or ebay replacment RC.
These drones have massive drop offs in value because there are so many cheaper smaller versions now from DJI.
I've got a Mavic 3 Classic for sale with NDs and extra battery. Stood me £1500 last year. I will be lucky to get 800 I reckon.
I've used heliguy. They were great with good comms. They were happy looping my insurance co too