What is the number one enemy to not only drones but most electronics? Water.
Water can cause insurmountable damage seen and unseen. So, what do you need to know about drones and water damage? Keep reading – we’ve got you covered.
One of the most frequent questions we get when it comes to water damage and drones is how much water is needed to cause actual damage. To be 100% honest, there is not a clear answer. We have seen drones that flew threw a thick mist and had visible water damage and drones that have been submerged in water for extended periods of time that had extreme unseen water damage. What we do know, it is best to avoid all water as much as possible when flying.
What does that mean? Don’t fly in mist, rain or snow. And take extra caution when flying over bodies of water. The last thing you want is to have to go fishing for your crashed drone.
Now, you’ve crashed into water, what do you do?
As soon as your drone gets wet, it more than likely that one of the electronic speed controllers (ESCs) will blow a fuse. The ESCs regulate the power to the motors. The first step is to always power down your drone and carefully remove the battery.
PRO TIP: If lithium polymer battery has been submerged, we recommend disposing of all together and replacing with new.
The next step is to dry off any visible water with a cloth and check for any water that is still visible on the motors. Place your drone in a warm, dry area to fully dry out.
Before test flying after water interaction, be extremely careful. It is super important to remember that in many causes water may cause unseen damage. Internal drone parts may be faulty or unrepairable and not visible to the naked eye. Keep an eye out for smoke, funny smells, weird behavior, heat and strange sounds.
PRO TIP: The type of water damage does matter. For example, salt water is highly corrosive and electrically conductive, meaning that it can cause even more damage vs. fresh water. If your drone does come into contact with salt water, rinse your drone with distilled or fresh water.
If you are unsure if water damage has occurred, your best move is to send your drone to a reputable drone repair shop for further inspection. Be sure to fully disclose all details of the crash and what water interaction it has had. While water may mean the end of the road for your drone, it is always better to be safe vs. sorry.