Flying in snow

Maddog · Nov 21, 2015

J R said:
Hans,

Just trying to be a bit funny this morning. I'm risk adverse as well and have done my fair share of things I certainly wouldn't let everyone here know about. I like to lick my own wounds rather then get ripped to shreds by a pack of wolves!

10 degrees and snow here, no flying for me today, damn!

Jerry

Gosh- 78 deg and breezy here. I feel your pain Jerry- - no I don't.

KnightRider · Nov 21, 2015

Jubalr said:
Well, Maybe it's not so bad after all...(not my footage)

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wow! that's nuts.... and cool... at the same time

That Phantom 2 did pretty good in that snow actually...

Han Solo · Nov 21, 2015

Jubalr said:
Well, Maybe it's not so bad after all...(not my footage)

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You got guts, and obviously know how to have fun no matter the weather.

Planeoldjim · Nov 21, 2015

Holy balls - snow balls that is! Could really see the drone fighting the wind, would suck to lose GPS

J R · Nov 21, 2015

Maddog said:
Gosh- 78 deg and breezy here. I feel your pain Jerry- - no I don't.

Dog,

You can provide me with similar info in...let's say...June?

Jerry

Cosber · Nov 21, 2015

I don't see how snow can get in the motors with the prop wash.

J R · Nov 21, 2015

Cosber said:
I don't see how snow can get in the motors with the prop wash.

Cosber,

I think I originally brought up the "dry snowflake in the motor". I was just providing a very simplistic example. I don't want moisture on or in my UAV's. Just seems like you'd be asking for potential trouble to me. I'd love to do it though! Maybe someday, with my P2 of course.

Jerry

Jubalr · Nov 21, 2015

J R said:
Jubalr,

I'm just goofing!

Jerry

I Know Jerry, Here is one of my favorites from 2-3 years ago of a quad in a snow storm with a black/white IR camera..

Acroduster · Nov 21, 2015

I'll bet that with the centrifugal flow of air near the center that absolutely no snow gets in the motor. Rain would be a different story, though.

PdxSteve · Nov 21, 2015

Not a solo...but... you can't tell me NO moisture got in that thing lol

GoodnNuff · Nov 22, 2015

Here in the land of nearly perpetual drizzle and wet snow winters, the RC guys actually dip their components in Corrosion X so they can fly in all weather. The people that have RC boats do this, then the float plane fliers started doing the same and it caught on with other RC owners who just wanted to fly all winter. I know a few guys who have done it with their DIY drones and fly in snow and fog. I haven't had the courage to dip my electronics in a viscous green liquid for even a few seconds. But it works. And that is exactly what they do, remove everything and dip it in a jar of the stuff.

Nazgul · Nov 22, 2015

Han Solo said:
I know flying solo in the rain and drizzle is a bad idea, but what about while it is actually snowing? I would think wet snow us as bad as rain, but what about a dry snow? Am I crazy to want to do this?

I fly on snow with my Phantom V2+ and was OK; but when I land, I wiped the PV2+ with a tissue.

GoodnNuff · Nov 22, 2015

Solo hasn't been around long enough to have shot many snow videos, but here is a cool one from The Other drone:

LuvMyTJ · Nov 22, 2015

GoodnNuff said:
Solo hasn't been around long enough to have shot many snow videos, but here is a cool one from The Other drone:

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That video was shot about an hour from my house, and back then a P2 was worth a whole lot more.

FYI - brushless motors are not harmed by water, in fact they will run under water. As far as other parts on a UAV, not so much, but the motors, no worries.

Han Solo · Nov 22, 2015

Jubalr said:
I Know Jerry, Here is one of my favorites from 2-3 years ago of a quad in a snow storm with a black/white IR camera..

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Pretty cool effect with the drone flying thru the snow. too bad it's black and white and low res though. Good to see people expanding the possibilities

Han Solo · Nov 22, 2015

LuvMyTJ said:
That video was shot about an hour from my house, and back then a P2 was worth a whole lot more.

FYI - brushless motors are not harmed by water, in fact they will run under water. As far as other parts on a UAV, not so much, but the motors, no worries.

Considering that the tops of the brushless motors are exposed to the air, and that the electronics are all enclosed in the body of the Solo, are saying this would not be a problem?

Del · Nov 22, 2015

Han Solo said:
Considering that the tops of the brushless motors are exposed to the air, and that the electronics are all enclosed in the body of the Solo, are saying this would not be a problem?

I'm curious to ?
So is there even any Long Term affect of having water in your brushless Motors..like Rust or any kinda of corrosion or drying out bearings ?

LuvMyTJ · Nov 22, 2015

I am not advocating using your quad in wet conditions.

If one of my quads were to get wet I would blow them dry with compressed air. My crawler motors get wet as does my short course truck frequently with no issues.
Even the electrical components are water proof on them so crossing a small stream or ditch does no harm.

For years hobbies have been breaking in 'brushed' motors in water. Brushless, like used on quads do not require this.
The bearings are typically sealed and if it is fresh water (not salt), it is pretty harmless for the motor itself.

Here are a couple of brushless motors in water...

Del · Nov 22, 2015

LuvMyTJ said:
I am not advocating using your quad in wet conditions.

If one of my quads were to get wet I would blow them dry with compressed air. My crawler motors get wet as does my short course truck frequently with no issues.
Even the electrical components are water proof on them so crossing a small stream or ditch does no harm.

For years hobbies have been breaking in 'brushed' motors in water. Brushless, like used on quads do not require this.
The bearings are typically sealed and if it is fresh water (not salt), it is pretty harmless for the motor itself.

Here are a couple of brushless motors in water...

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That's interesting..

Thanks for Sharing ..

GoodnNuff · Nov 22, 2015

LuvMyTJ said:
I am not advocating using your quad in wet conditions.

If one of my quads were to get wet I would blow them dry with compressed air. My crawler motors get wet as does my short course truck frequently with no issues.
Even the electrical components are water proof on them so crossing a small stream or ditch does no harm.

For years hobbies have been breaking in 'brushed' motors in water. Brushless, like used on quads do not require this.
The bearings are typically sealed and if it is fresh water (not salt), it is pretty harmless for the motor itself.

Here are a couple of brushless motors in water...

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Yeah, I actually don't recall if the guys I know treat the motors. I know they will immerse servos, ESCs, circuit boards, etc., in Corrosion X (and I think there are other equivalent products out there now). I didn't realize brushless motors were so durable - good info!