Help w/ repairing a broken Phantom 4

yooooooooooo · Jan 31, 2017

Hey all,

Looking for some guidence on repairing/replacing the front left camera on a crashed Phantom 4. This is one of the cameras used for obstactle detection.

When the drone crashed, the main power connector broke off the main circuit board and tore the ribbon cable going to one of the front cameras. I can solder the power connector back to the board however I'm not sure what to do about the torn ribbon cable. This type of replacement ribbon cable is not included with the replacement cable set sold by DJI. Also, there is some white epoxy covering the area where this cable connects to the board making it a bit messier to replace.

Questions:

1. Will I still be able to fly the Phantom 4 even if one of the front obstacle detection cameras is disconnected/not functioning?

2. Do you know where to purchase a replacement camera and ribbon cable?

Attached some images of the damage.

rocketflyer · Jan 31, 2017

yooooooooooo said:
2. Do you know where to purchase a replacement camera and ribbon cable?

It looks like you have to buy the entire battery cage assembly to get it:

Search for:
DJI Phantom 4 Drone - NEW Forward/Front Obstacle Sensors Module & Battery Cage
on ebay

yooooooooooo · Feb 1, 2017

Awesome, ty! I will purchase a battery cage assembly and remove one of it's cameras

Droneted · Feb 2, 2017

yooooooooooo said:
Awesome, ty! I will purchase a battery cage assembly and remove one of it's cameras

I may have what you need but i am out of town until Feb 11th. Let me know if ylu still need it then.

Sent from my SM-G935V using PhantomPilots mobile app

yooooooooooo · Mar 19, 2017

Ended up replacing the P4 processor board and front obstacle detection camera. All of the damaged pieces have been replaced and everything seems fine however when I power on the phantom I can't seem to get it to connect to the smartphone app (it says "aircraft disconnected"). I verified with another (functional) P4 that the controller/app work fine. Any tips or suggestions on how to debug/troubleshoot this connectivity problem?

Droneted · Mar 20, 2017

Because you replaced the processor board, you have to rebind the RC to the drone. For that you must have a working camera assembly. Is yours OK?

yooooooooooo · Mar 27, 2017

Yep, thanks! Linking the drone to the RC is exactly what was needed. Looks like everything is functional except for the compass. I'm replacing the housing soon and will update here on the status afterwards. Thanks again for the help

Droneted · Mar 27, 2017

My experience with the compass errors is this. If you tried the compass dance to calibrate away from metal and it didn't help, the leg assemblies must be replaced. The good news is they are rather cheap. Even Amazon is reasonable and fast.

jbuy41 · Oct 5, 2017

I need a processor board that is on the camera board. The snap in plug broke off when replacing land arms.

I was told by a parts company that you have to buy the entire camera. Board is not sold separately.

Could anyone help?

Droneted · Oct 6, 2017

Can u upload a photo of exactly what u need.

jbuy41 · Oct 6, 2017

Ted4797 said:
Can u upload a photo of exactly what u need.

Yes, Thanks.

Droneted · Oct 6, 2017

OK I see what you need. I will check around

jbuy41 · Oct 6, 2017

Ted4797 said:
OK I see what you need. I will check around

Thanks Ted. I tried gluing...as u can see. So, maybe I can find someone to solder it back.

Droneted · Oct 6, 2017

You can solder it back depending on the connections condition. I can't tell from the photo.

jbuy41 · Oct 6, 2017

I can use acetone and remove socket. Then take another photo. Ok?

jbuy41 · Oct 6, 2017

jbuy41 said:
I can use acetone and remove socket. Then take another photo. Ok?
Acetone will soften the supper glue.

Droneted · Oct 6, 2017

jbuy41 said:
I can use acetone and remove socket. Then take another photo. Ok?

OK, I have that board with a good connector but a bad board.. I have soldered these before and great care must be taken. You may want to take it to an expert. Do a close up of the board. Is the connector completely torn off or just a couple.

jbuy41 · Oct 6, 2017

Ted4797 said:
OK, I have that board with a good connector but a bad board.. I have soldered these before and great care must be taken. You may want to take it to an expert. Do a close up of the board. Is the connector completely torn off or just a couple.

It completely off . Showing like bare pins on board and also on connector. Would you be interested in repairing?

Droneted · Oct 6, 2017

I can try but can't guarantee it can be done. If it can't I won't charge you. I would check and see if there is a local electronic repair shop

jbuy41 · Oct 6, 2017

Ted4797 said:
I can try but can't guarantee it can be done. If it can't I won't charge you. I would check and see if there is a local electronic repair shop

Thanks. I'll try

Ted4797 said:
I can try but can't guarantee it can be done. If it can't I won't charge you. I would check and see if there is a local electronic repair shop

Ok, here is the image of socket after I removed glue. Maybe not repairable. Probably the ribbon connector needs replacing.

What do you think?