Sorry but, another crack thread

Chris P Duck · Dec 31, 2016

i was doing my pre-flight checks and noticed a small crack in the usual place on my P3A.

I purchased the P3A direct from DJI on the 19th May 2015. Does anyone know their latest policy on cracked arms? I'm getting an extension done which starts towards the end of Jan and really wanted to film the progress using the drone so if I send it off what's the chance of getting it back within a month? I'm in the UK if this makes a difference.

If this is unlikely is it a really stupid idea to try and wait for after the extension is complete? I'd be after roughly 20 10min flights.

Pics of the crack below, there is only one crack.

msinger · Dec 31, 2016

Chris P Duck said:
If this is unlikely is it a really stupid idea to try and wait for after the extension is complete? I'd be after roughly 20 10min flights.

If you're sure there are no other cracks, then it should be fine. Wrap a plastic zip tie around the arm if you're worried about it.

Kirby Johnson · Dec 31, 2016

Put down the Crack Pipe Duck and put your hands up.

alokbhargava · Dec 31, 2016

msinger said:
If you're sure there are no other cracks, then it should be fine. Wrap a plastic zip tie around the arm if you're worried about it.

How would a zip tie help in this case?

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PixelDoc · Dec 31, 2016

Chris: Any chance you could point out the actual crack? Maybe it's my old eyes, but I don't see any fracture.

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msinger · Dec 31, 2016

alokbhargava said:
How would a zip tie help in this case?

See the photo above. If you wrap a zip tie around the arm at that location, it would keep the arm securely closed -- even if that screw post completely breaks apart.

msinger · Dec 31, 2016

PixelDoc said:
Any chance you could point out the actual crack?

alokbhargava · Dec 31, 2016

msinger said:
See the photo above. If you wrap a zip tie around the arm at that location, it would keep the arm securely closed -- even if that screw post completely breaks apart.

If the crack is not on the motor mounting screws and is on the screw near the arm, what you say might help. where is the actual crack, can't see with my old eyes

alokbhargava · Dec 31, 2016

msinger said:
View attachment 72083

Is that a crack or moulding defect?

msinger · Dec 31, 2016

It's definitely cracked. You can see some of the plastic is missing in the first photo above.

NoBiffBetter · Dec 31, 2016

msinger said:
It's definitely cracked. You can see some of the plastic is missing in the first photo above.

Almost looks like a collision crack or a defect like you had mentioned cuz there is actually a piece missing, hard to believe tbis could have happened from just normal use.. Unless.. Again, manufacturer defect.

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alokbhargava · Dec 31, 2016

NoBiffBetter said:
Almost looks like a collision crack or a defect like you had mentioned cuz there is actually a piece missing, hard to believe tbis could have happened from just normal use.. Unless.. Again, manufacturer defect.

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Agree.

sonof40 · Dec 31, 2016

NoBiffBetter said:
Almost looks like a collision crack or a defect like you had mentioned cuz there is actually a piece missing, hard to believe tbis could have happened from just normal use.. Unless.. Again, manufacturer defect.

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This crack is very typical of the cracks starting to appear about a year ago and since.

Chris P Duck · Jan 1, 2017

sonof40 said:
This crack is very typical of the cracks starting to appear about a year ago and since.

Sonof40 is correct. It's never been crashed/dropped/mistreated etc.
It's also never carried any extra weight (modded batteries etc) or anything that may put extra strain on it.

There have been many, many reports of P3's cracking in exactally this place with a few theories as to why (screws over tightened at the factory, a "bad" (brittle) batch of plastic etc)

As the crack is only around the screw that holds the top and bottom of the shell together I'll do what Msinger suggested and put a zip tie round the arm and wait until the extension is complete to send it in. I will of course be even more thorough with the pre-flight checks.

When I do send it in what can I expect?