CRASHING DRONES IN SNOW!

Hopefully this answers some of the questions I've been getting on KZbin about when I crash into snow.
Hopefully this also answers some of the questions I've been getting on Instagram about what happened to my hair lol.
the conformal coating I used: amzn.to/2m94MMP
Detailed video about applying conformal coating to your electronics: • conformal coating your...
Last year's video on snow proofing: • Snow Proof Your Drone?
Follow for more fun stuff
Instagram: @drewcamden
Twitter: @drewcamden
-- Drone Gear --
The Whoop:
BeeBrain V2 Micro FPV Flight Controller Set:
goo.gl/KxSj1n
19,700kV GOLD brushed motors: goo.gl/KxSj1n
Cockroach Super-Durable Frame: goo.gl/xuubnM
My Main Freestyle Quad:
GoPro HERO5 Session: amzn.to/2ldNJKO
MQC Fusion - Le Drib Edition: goo.gl/kFHtVo
My GoPro Mount for MQC Fusion: goo.gl/t15uxa
DYS F4 Flight Board: amzn.to/2pzJZmH
HypeTrain Freestyle Motor: amzn.to/2yt81Ua
DYS Aria BLHeli 32bit ESCs: amzn.to/2xbfK7Z
DAL T5046C Cyclone: amzn.to/2vcXi27
Rotor Riot Swift 2 FPV Cam: amzn.to/2g5XDuC
IRC Tramp VTX: amzn.to/2xaceQ2
Spektrum Quad Race Receiver With Telemetry: amzn.to/2nDWgZI
Nitro Nectar batteries: goo.gl/54WZ2H
FPV:
Skyzone FPV goggles: amzn.to/2oNzhs3
spiroNET antenna: amzn.to/2xbqHq1
8dB mini patch antenna: amzn.to/2xTb2PM
Transmitter:
Spektrum DX9 Black Edition: amzn.to/2mXuFxI
Antenna mod: amzn.to/2mPNcNr
BACKPACK: amzn.to/2s4EYHA
BEST SOLDERING IRON: amzn.to/2qy34cw
My favorite charger: goo.gl/Mrbjgp
DJI Mavic: amzn.to/2lTuZkj
-- Vlogging Gear --
LUMIX G85 w/ kit lens: amzn.to/2ouxV9j
Cheap prime lens for cinematic shots: amzn.to/2iYIJuO
Rode mic: amzn.to/2iWDXOg
bendy tripod: amzn.to/2iX67ca
-- Contact --
Drew Camden
P.O. Box 80
Clawson, MI, United States 48017
[e-mail]
-- tunes in this flick --
"Good Old Days" by Joakim Karud
/ joakimkarud
"VlogBeat1" by VORT3X
/ @vort3xfpv
"Breathe" by Andrew Applepie
/ andrewapplepie
"House of Prayers" by Floppy Circus
/ floppycircus

[@LongDistanceLovin]

I can't believe how many people are freaking out over your hair and saying they're unsubbing because of it. If someone seriously unsubs for such a silly reason, you're better off without them as viewers. You do you, man. I had blue hair for months and got SO many judgey looks from old ladies. Its actually kind of hilarious. Do what you want. Its YOUR hair, not theirs!

[@LeDribFPV]

:) thank you! Not sure why so many people are freaking out blinds funny I guess. But your right, good riddance to everyone that’s left because of hair haha

[@Zoom-is4co]

When the quad color matches your hair!!!!

[@jakemaricich]

OH NO HOW DO I PICK UP A DRONE!!!😂😂

[@luisnutz3621]

The eyeliner was one thing, but this is a whole new level

[@boopjakfpv5814]

Hahaha it’ll be ok. He’s from Star Wars

[@splugereport]

Haters gonna hate

[@Cman815]

Thanks for this video drew!! Great content right here my man! You do you on the new hair! Always fun switching things up every now and then!

[@NicovanBurick]

Great video as always!

[@tacojesu5]

Hi Drew, great video and hair! I've been flying a lot lately in tons of snow and temperature as low as -19c (2.2f) I use the same conformal coating and have had great success. But you have to be very generous with it, i use two thick layers. And be careful to not cover the top of your vtx buttons so they get forever stuck on the same ch and power...

[@KittFPV]

or stuck in pit mode bahahaha, just ripped the button off the vtx and went ripping again! ...and I feel ya bro, flew in -18degF the other day! craaaazy cold

[@stu22uk]

I've been flying in -5c and the voltage sag of the batteries is astonishing, whats it like at -19c?

[@tacojesu5]

I kept the batteries in my car and took them out on at a time. So 3-5 minutes in the cold didn't do too much, but definitely noticeable. It has to be said that i'm not the most extreme full power racing pilot, but for a bit of chill acro it was ok.

[@boratsagdiyev1586]

Smartaudio will avoid that issue.

[@tacpreppers4906]

Do you think wet motors might have something to do with it? I watched your vid on coating the components and it seems like you did a pretty thorough job, however, the motors are totally exposed. I wonder if you can do the motors too and still have em work.

[@Georgewrigley]

Great video and great flying. i love how you make it look so easy with the low passes and tight spaces. Love it cheers Drew. Maybe you will have better luck next year with the water(snow) proofing! Thanks buddy :)

[@BOTGRINDER]

so do you want to play bass for my new pop punk band or what bro?

[@CoppertopFPV]

BOTGRINDER FPV lol

[@ZRockwell]

lmao NFG!

[@danskifpv]

BOTGRINDER FPV Bot Killin' it lol. Stay safe, stay nerdy

[@Slaad33]

BOTGRINDER FPV LOL !

[@pauliman1098]

I'D BUY THE ALBUM 💕

[@kydawg1684]

Drew has taken it up a notch! More power to ya Brother

[@DavidOwensuk]

OMG your hair! great video - thanks for sharing!

[@johnleequenzer]

Seriously bro you are the best to watch!!!!!

[@CAPTAINDRONE798]

Living in Ottawa, Canada I take 3 quads with me for each outing. For each crash, I just shake the hell out of the quad to fling all the snow off, then do like you.... toss it back in the car, and then the house & leave it to dry out until the next day. So I can crash a max of 3 times (once per quad). I have tried the spray can oil based coating on parts in the past, but it can only resist water for so long, then it's usually the ESCs that go first. Immersion Vortex quads do indicate they are somewhat water resistant for short periods, but I have not over tested that to prove its legitimacy.

[@lostfound8112]

captain drone! huge fan!

[@protofpv]

I've had great success with the silicone conformal coating. I pulled a quad out of a foot of slush and water shook it out and flew it. I have lost a couple video transmitters though they seem to be hard to get completely protected. Seems like you might as well just dip your VTX in the conformal coating. I haven't watched your other video yet but did you coat the inside of any unused micro connectors?

[@QuadView]

Good video. helps answer the question about even trying to fly in the rain or snow.

[@trazor_fpv7440]

Hey Drew!! Just curious if after drying them out was all ok or did it damage something ?

[@abertheham]

Thanks for the winter-proofing tips and flight footage. Glad you’re having fun out there, Drew. Leave it to The YT comments section to lose sight of everything in this video other than your new look. Opinions are like assholes - everyone’s got one and they all stink. You just keep on doing you and staying fresh. That’s what we tune-in for.

[@plummetfpv8295]

Did ya go over it with a black light to make sure you didn't miss anything? I always do 3 layers of coating also I've never had a problem..

[@KittFPV]

I used like half a bottle on one quad lmao. Mine basically glows purple in the sun bahahaha

[@plummetfpv8295]

KittFPV better safe then sorry lol

[@jasonhull5712]

wasn't sure if we was referring to the hair or the silicone coating...

[@cannibalholiday]

Would the VTX have overheated with the conformal coating limiting heat loss? Maybe a heat sink on the VTX before applying the coating?

[@ITHEDARKLORD]

That's a nice spot, I bet it's even nicer with leaves on the trees. Some buttery smooth flying too.

[@cenabitednbfpv587]

Love the new hair! Great vid fam!

[@OswaldBeef]

Finally I was one step ahead of le drib! Heads up the lid of those coating bottles glue themselves on like no ones business. Store vertical!

[@thesquisheee]

And the hair is mental! Was not expecting that, love it. So random.

[@crudboy12]

On the second flight of one of my drones, before my conformal coating had arrived from amazon, I landed in some slightly damp grass and an ESC instantly caught fire. No delay or anything, hit the ground unarmed too. Haven't had a part fail that has the coating on it though.

[@sweetsticksfpv1411]

love the hair

[@LeDribFPV]

Thank you for the.... unbiased review ;)

[@xxxplode5999]

Love the hair!

[@JoeMaxFpv]

Serious question!!! After conformal coating what happens with soldering repairs later?? Is it flammable??? Can you solder right through it?? What's the scoop???

[@indroneswetrust1]

I had to watch this over and over and over cuz I just did conformal coated my red micro 3 inches drone. I coated on ESC both sides, FC board, both sides as well. The vtx too, receiver. That's all I coated. The FPV 📷 is all the way inside 3D printing red canopy, very well protected. I didn't coated the 📷, but everything else, but not 📷 and not on motors. They are waterproof motors itself already anyways. I'm about to go fly and see how it goes. Thanks man for this AWESOME flight video to compared drone with uncoated and coated drones, you did great! 🙌🏼👊🏼 Good job!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Keep up great work, man 🙌🏼👊🏼🤙🏼

[@Martman5150]

I was flying in 10 degrees the other day and it actually wasn't the wetness of the snow, but the sheer cold that caused problems. I warmed my quad and battery for a few minutes on my car heater vents before each flight and had good results. Quad was conformal coated.

[@KhrashPadFPV]

Hey Drew, got out for some -20C flying (-5 F) last weekend. I had only ever flown one pack in the winter before so it was definitely a learning experience. Incredible footage from a frozen lake flight ... I mean really frozen, we parked on the lake! Here's some other things to expect in the extreme cold: - Your battery on your GoPro / Runcam becomes an issue. I was completely draining the battery on my GPS5 in 2 flights, and the Runcam3 (I was trying out ND filters on it) was dying during one flight. Having a bunch of cheap power banks for USB recharging is handy - Zip ties get really brittle - I had 2 'generic' ziptie attachment goPro mounts completely come off, just landing. You think everything is cool and your GP and mount are sitting there beside the quad when you land. Scary stuff. Getting some super thick solid zip ties from electronics store asap for winter flying. - Battery life was not terrible, I was getting good use of 1800 and 1550 on my 6 inch Chameleon. 1550 only on my Rotorgeeks Odo 5 inch. Was landing with voltage showing 14.0 - 14.2 which would recover to about 15.2 by the time I charged them in a warm house. - If you're flying with a buddy it is a great idea to "buddy fly" (hey, I got that term from you and Jeff) on the same channel and trade packs so you have 2 DVRs and better recovery. Do not fly if your "DVR isn't working", stop and get your buddy to record. Close call when I hit scraggle overhanging the lake and bounced into a back yard ...

[@Rogue001]

I like your individuality. Don’t try to please everyone. Do what makes you happy and others will be happy for you

[@poweroftruth9336]

So far I'm having luck with my coating .. I have not watched your other video .. but did you put hot glue in your USB?

[@chipko]

LOL! ... "oh no is its in the snow" *kick* For a while i thought i needed my eyes checking when you zoomed in on the wide angle... then i realised you needed fixed focus. Keep up the good work Drew. Ps: love the hair!

[@macelius]

My silicone conformally coated talon fusion f7 blinked out on the second snow crash today, front mounted on a glide and got snow jammed up behind the camera on top of it, and on the bottom. I think the culprit is the harness plug or maybe usb, can coat the plug, but will have to figure something out for the usb, a simple plug/cver, or bluetooth fc maybe..actually sitting on the heater vent now, so we'll see if she fires up in the morning. Also, so, did the drones live?

[@brandonallenba]

I have yet to coat my DYS F4 V2 and biffed it a handful of times in the snow at Faurecia in Auburn Hills and have yet to have an issue. That FC takes a beating and keeps going. You don’t even have to let it sit over night. About 45 min on the floorboard of your car with the heat cranked and your good.

[@rpgfpv4363]

You’re the best drew!!!

[@DawnHub666]

You are getting better.

[@pmm4177]

Conformal coating works great, not sure about the silicone stuff but the regular works great, that and corrosion x work wonders

[@ugpfpv361]

Nice saves Drew! I know it's not the "clean" way of waterproofing, BUT, at least I feel it gets complete coverage I just still use CorrosionX. Second winter haven't had a problem yet!

[@KingFPV]

You can solder through it so coat the entire piece then solder your parts together, finishing with another coating on the fresh solder joint. That way it has an entire coating, not just on the face surface area. Any time I have to open up my quad to do anything to it I add an additional coating "just for the hell of it" so I think my lack of failure in water & snow is partially due to being coated so much. Additionally, while I am happy with my results I also do not go flying my quad after dunking it in the river or snowbanks. I still let it dry off for a bit! I agree with EnokFPV too!

[@LenfredDueck]

I don't see Le Drib hair dye in the RR store yet? what is wrong? ;)

[@solidfpvdeadgxsr4528]

Lenfred Dueck Its Backorder.

[@petwog]

It’s only for sale in Dollar General. (Lol) actually Drew, do your thing....it’s just you.

[@oranac]

Haven't used silicone stuff before, but I'd suggest using coloured/opaque types as they show up gaps and cracks in the finished coating better.

[@lemoncfpv8434]

You've prob mentioned it in the past... What angle gopro mount do you use? Also, in your flight footage, do you slow down your footage, or are you just insanely smooth wit dem tings?

[@thatguyted6739]

I really thought your quad was sounding like a mosquito, nope that's the music!

[@markhondaturbo]

that guy Ted me too! I thought it was some funny oscillation sound.

[@rmdcade1717]

Drew for Joker in next Batman movie. Gotta be better than Jared Leto, amirite? EDIT: After reading more comments, holy shit, let me clarify that I love the fuck out of this hair and you should absolutely keep it. People are psycho down there in the comment zone, breh.

[@LeDribFPV]

Thanks man. Always appreciate you leaving positive comments on my vids :) I know you got my back! :D

[@dronetrooperfpv7810]

Just saw that you have your own version of the hype train motors. Just a dude in the D making videos and flying drones to having your own quad motor. Congrats Man! Go Wings!!

[@bennieleip579]

Did you check the coating with uv light?

[@theibault]

Love the purple hair. Wish I still had hair as I'd be coloring it too.

[@Rexinator12345]

You have to use an uv light after useing the coating to check your work it will glow under uv light so you don’t miss a spot my quad still works being in the snow lost for for 30 Mins and I flew it right after and to this day and it still work just mint

[@buddymejia113]

Dope hair love the vids keep em coming

[@crazysamfpv5265]

Lol thanks for making my day lol it hurts to laughed but worth it Keep up the good work and Keep on Flying

[@MrOdyssey]

Loving the new hair!

[@aqua2838]

Drew , love the hair , wish I could do it myself but school say no😭😭

[@zenflight2450]

Le.D. What is the frame u using on beater drone?

[@faebu8601]

Hey drew i have a question to the dys aria escs what settings do you run or what did you change. Because my motors are like stuttering (hypetrains)

[@LeDribFPV]

never had that happen with hype trains or arias, check the solder points and that the motor screws aren't touching the windings

[@faebu8601]

+Le Drib checked it all but i noticed that two of the motors feel harder to spin

[@randys-rc]

Any way you can do a similar video using corrosion x? I'm curious if it works in snow because I have crashed in a small puddle and been fine. I also think it's easier to put on just more messy and it smells but I don't smell my quad often so I'm good

[@nemoishouse]

Good shit as always drew 👍🏼

[@JoshWithrow]

I don't look at conformal coating as a bulletproof fix... I look at it like insurance. I've had quads not initialize when wet, but work fine once they dry. I've also has one that i just shook of and flew again. But the conformal is cheap and easy, and I feel like it at least gives me a chance to make it out with all my components.

[@KittFPV]

I only wanted insurance, but seemed to get lucky! Not sure if I can throw the bizitch in an ocean but turtling in the powder on ice hasn't been any biggy :P

[@JoshWithrow]

KittFPV I think alot of it had to do with the electrolytic qualities of the water in question. and i think that's why even in the saltiest of water, a fresh water rinse and drying time seem to fix things. Either way, it's got to be better than completely unprotected components.

[@KittFPV]

ahh good point! And def better than nothing, that's for sure. Cheers :)

[@compfpv]

I do several applications letting it dry overnight of all components then solder and recoat the joints over a few days. When its thick and gummy, you might have enough layers. CorrosionX all conectors and welders all but main battery connector solid. You can easily solder through SCC but be mindful of the combusted fumes.

[@BadChizzle]

Your Hair actually looks great. The color is very BAM!!

[@laytonblance]

Probably your funniest video to that I've seen

[@StunnyFPV]

Nice vid, gonna try some drydrone conformal coating, apparently it works pretty well, some swear by it. And ignore people about the hair. They just aren't used to it yet.

[@ol-man-duffyj688]

I was rooting for that conformal coated kwad to work. Can't wait for the build video, those cut scenes were giving Chad a run for his money! 👍🏼 And cool hair!!

[@thesquisheee]

Your links at the top...thought I'd just check out your gear, tx in particular but had a look at it all. The link to the whoop flight controller and motors are the same. Just a heads up 😉. Thanks for this video though, going snowboarding soon, planning on flying too and was wondering how risky it would be without any sort of prep work.

[@HDgodfrey]

Rice, rice, rice. Mine go in a bag of rice for 10hr and then power up fine if not damaged in time it took me to unplug. Keep killing it Drew! Didn't know you had another channel. I have some vids to catch up on.

[@stephanborman7902]

What is the minimum working temperature for the indicidual components. Maybe it failed due to that instead of the wetness.

[@GeorgeCooper_LoneWolf]

Great test Drew, very interesting I have been thinking of getting some of that stuff for the Quad, but I don't think I will bother. and just to add WTF that head will take some getting use to. However it looks ok I think you should get the rest of the Rotor Riot boys to do the same, But all different Colours lol.

[@sethkmelchi3110]

Conformal coating worked great for me can crash in the snow all day and fly in the rain fine but I put one coat on let it dry then another coat and I have the uv kind but idk how that could make a difference but I hope you get it working well soon you'll have a lot more fun whatever type of day .

[@flyguycinematic6030]

Nice video I got pretty lucky on my crash battery unplugged before it went into the creek did a 24 hours dry plug it in boom like magic, It's alive!

[@x0DEAD]

Invest in a uv light. I use it when doing my conformal coating. Never had a failure

[@NightTrainFPV]

cant believe thats all the snow you got in the D. hair is interesting..need to color beard and stache im thinking. the conformal coating i think has issues with the pin connected boards as well. my raptor 390 tower it doesnt always work.

[@ShaneWymore]

Funny, I waterproof too, using the same method and I had the same desync as you, I assume it is from the water in the USB port so, I used Corrosion X in the connectors on the quad and have since experienced zero desyncs flying wet

[@BACONFPV]

Holy purple!

[@keithwilliams5151]

in my experience the silicon conformal coating does in fact work great. however, it is a precausion, not an end all be all. if the components are wet enough the components short and have glitches like you just experienced. you were testing the absolute worst case scenario, which is good, but won't work. after a bad crash and wet, just dry it off with a towel and knock off any excess snow. the solder joints that are exposed are the crucial points to be sure are dry enough to not carry current through the wet. as you may know, water is a great conductor. ;)

[@ChainsawFPV]

I love that the last video I watched it was 111` degrees and now your freezing.

[@properfpv7160]

You have to use epoxy on esc’s to waterproof them but it can’t be too thick or they will burn up. I had one I conformal coated and sprayed with corrosion-x. It went into the river and was on for five minutes while I got it. I pulled it up, shook it off and flew it with the same battery. Haha!

[@wildweasel3465]

Dude, great video.. well made.. good stuff - but seriously.. is that eye liner?

[@scoop3]

Hey Drew! What goggles are you using now?

[@radchoyfpv9758]

Will you be getting the new skyzone goggles coming out?

[@chris2790]

I would treat conformal coating as a layer of protection against initial crash and not try to fly wet afterwards. So use the coating, but when you get wet, disconnect power ASAP, then blow dry the drone and then go fly again.

[@bryandrap123]

I use the canned air stuff with the can turned upside down or sideways so it will be super cold and not melt the snow while blowing it off. Then use the hot air gun from a rework station on the esc's with the heatshrink taken off. I've been back to flying within 4 hours with no trouble! Quick tip. Edit: this only works for snow since its pretty much distilled water and has high resistance. Other kinds of water you may want to clean the boards with distilled water first then let it dry.

[@SmokinMesa]

Purple rinse brigade gets a new member 🤣 I think one of the first vids I saw of yours was flying from your car in the snow last year. Looking forward to the video 👍

[@kylellrc799]

Have you ever tried turtle mode in betaflight?

[@heartofamericafpv5584]

Biggest tip.... if you crash in the snow, get to your quad ASAP and blow as much of the snow out of the quad as possible before it melts. Obviously works best in the super cold.

[@John-bv9mu]

From my experience the conformal coating keeps electronics from being killed by the water. But, your flight controller and any more sensitive electronics are likely to fail, I just conformal coat all of my quads but still leave them to dry.

[@SweetThangFPV]

Drew, maybe someone already asked this question, but what frame is your "beater" quad?

[@ProgressiveMTB]

Hi drew I used to do a lot of Rc scale driving and my trucks where 100% waterproof the the 2 items I used to use where plastidip which is a rubber coating that once dipped and left to dry foams a tight rubber seal over the hole item this will be good for your esc’s and means you won’t have to heat shrink them For your flight controller use corrosion X this is a very good waterproofing product you will need to plug a usb lead in but you can poor some into a bowl the just dip the hole fc into it and leave it for a couple of mins in there then remove it pat it down with a paper towel and that’s it your done. Hope this helps regards Matthew

[@MadDragon75]

I use the acrylic base, but I live in Central California. No snow. Just dew and rain puddles. I use more than 1 coat as well.

[@dahosfpv9954]

A UV light can help you see if you missed any places. I thought I soaked everything with that stuff until I looked the next day with the UV light and saw all I missed. I don't think i will test it like you have but think of it more as an extra safety measure.

[@Caroline_Tyler]

Looking goooood! :)

[@VilleF1N]

The thing about conformal coating is that the snow can act like sandpaper and scrape it off as you crash into snow. The only way I have managed to make my quads 100% snow and rain proof is by sealing everything within the body of the quad with duct tape and by using hot glue to seal any remaining small holes and to keep the duct tape from peeling off at the ends. Since you have a 3D printer, I'm sure you could use it to make a pod for your quads to protect them from snow and rain.

[@jasonsmith-hp6fj]

man those new le drib motors look sweet.oh the hair not bad either.

[@MichaelRollins]

Is the ND filter on your main GoPro doing something odd to your shutter speed? Great video regardless, and I'm glad I haven't flown in the #bombcyclone snowball here!

[@dronetrooperfpv7810]

Did you get your hair done at Figo? Funny to see in a youtube video but I used to work in Birmingham. Actually I worked in the first building, Google, you see in the video on Old Woodward. Good video! Is spring here yet!?

[@harryjoelake7850]

Best vloger ever... le drib.. keep it up 👌👍🏻

[@wiytboi]

what frame is your sacrificial quad? is it a "Le Hyphy?"

[@joshd8404]

WiYTBOi -FPV- looks like a MQC XHD

[@scottmarshall6766]

Kafuter 703 or 705 electronics grade silicone (clear and white - I like the clear) over the paint on stuff. It's a low viscosity RTV, coat one side, let it flow out level and dry (about an hour), flip and repeat. It leaves a factory appearing (and working) seal. On the camera, I coat the board and let dry overnight, (to avoid trapping fumes) then re-case and apply a small bead to the seams, screws and lens threads with a toothpick. On a micro, fillet around the case. Use Corrision X or dielectric silicone grease on the connectors (auto parts store). The silicone comes off with a stiff toothbrush or by scraping with a dull tool. You'll be able to fly all day. On the hair, man you have the kahones, most people would try a highlight or 2, you dive right in! It's different, I'll give you that, but it's disturbing your white balance. You now need new blog camera settings.... Keep up the insanity, It works!! (Edit - forgot - Hobbyking has the RTV)

[@tonyhorton6752]

People should really think befor they say negative comments to others how would u feel getting comments like that seriously... Looking good bro matches your personality PERFECTLY

[@MrStevegibb]

honestly i think you would need to dip the quad in conformal coating or maybe a pod style frame.