Don’t skip on your maintenance, folks! Rainy days are a perfect chance to take care of updates and routine checks so your drone is good to go for the next flight.
New drone owner here, can anyone tell me exactly what regular maintenance involves? My drone’s still in the box, waiting for me to pick it up.
Zen said:
New drone owner here, can anyone tell me exactly what regular maintenance involves? My drone’s still in the box, waiting for me to pick it up.
You’ll want to check for cracks, especially on the propellers, keep firmware updated, and cycle your batteries (charge/discharge) a few times a year. Also, check for any swelling in the batteries and review the manual occasionally for any updates.
Edit: And make sure to keep up with any changes in drone laws/regulations in your area.
@Joss
Thanks!
Zen said:
New drone owner here, can anyone tell me exactly what regular maintenance involves? My drone’s still in the box, waiting for me to pick it up.
Make sure propeller screws are tight, keep up with updates, check motors for debris, inspect the frame for any damage, and keep an eye on the sensors. Basically, just a full check. Drones are aircraft, so regular maintenance is important!
@Brady
Thanks!
Zen said:
New drone owner here, can anyone tell me exactly what regular maintenance involves? My drone’s still in the box, waiting for me to pick it up.
Just keep it clean and don’t handle it too roughly. Replace props if you notice chips or cracks. No moving parts other than bearings, so maintenance is pretty low-key unless you’ve got a high-end drone like OP.
@Darin
Thanks!
I wish I could afford one of those high-end drones. Been saving up for one with thermal capabilities so I can take on more jobs. Super jealous!
Micah said:
I wish I could afford one of those high-end drones. Been saving up for one with thermal capabilities so I can take on more jobs. Super jealous!
Haha, it’s only $13k!
Micah said:
I wish I could afford one of those high-end drones. Been saving up for one with thermal capabilities so I can take on more jobs. Super jealous!
Autel Evo Lite 640T is kind of affordable for what it offers.
Make sure to check your batteries often. Most only last around 120 cycles before they start acting up. Set your charging station’s discharge cycle to match your work schedule, so you don’t end up with half-charged batteries on flight day. Store at 50% charge if they’ll be sitting for a while.
For motors, you might want to consider replacement after 200 hours. Check for cracks on the body, arm locks, and tighten up screws on the landing gear and props. Run a vision calibration after firmware updates using DJI Assistant 2 Enterprise. And a good pre-flight checklist helps a lot!
I thought this advice was going to be: ‘Don’t fly your drone indoors, folks!’
lol
Honestly, this sounds like advice meant for someone with a pro setup. I have a Mavic 3 Pro, but something like a Matrice with an Inspire camera module would need way more checks. But yeah, keeping up with laws is always a good call.
@Rey
Let’s be real, this isn’t really about ‘maintenance wisdom’!
Lex said:
@Rey
Let’s be real, this isn’t really about ‘maintenance wisdom’!
posts picture of Lamborghini
‘Just a friendly reminder to rotate those tires, everyone!’
Lex said:
@Rey
Let’s be real, this isn’t really about ‘maintenance wisdom’!
posts picture of Lamborghini
‘Just a friendly reminder to rotate those tires, everyone!’
Haha, exactly!
We just had one fall out of the sky when a motor failed at 300 feet. Maintenance is no joke!