DJI Mavic Mini Pro 3 Drone How to repair fix severe crash damage & NEW Easy way to replace rotor arm

Here is a DJI Mavic Mini Pro 3 Drone that fell about 10m out of a very high tree. It's suffered a lot of damage including a sheared off front rotor arm and that's just the start of the problems. Let's learn how to repair these drones. Also shown here is a quicker easier way to replace a broken rotor arm without dismantling the entire drone.
Buy spare parts here
www.aliexpress...
I work in collaboration with:
The Electronics Channel (live streams with Carlos and Detlef)
/ @theelectronicschannel
Gran Canaria Uncovered
/ @grancanariauncovered (with Detlef and Julie. Not electronics related)
Det Builds Stuff - / @detbuildsstuff (Detlef)
Retro Upgrade - / @retroupgrade (Carlos)
For All Your PCB needs: free $5 discount coupon
www.pcbway.com...
Equipment used in my videos. These are affiliate links, you pay the normal price and I make a small commission.
TEST METERS
ANENG AN8009 MULITIMETER
s.click.aliexp...
amzn.to/4da4Q7h
amzn.to/4fsjkkm
amzn.to/3yuf03q
amzn.to/4fwQOOD
www.banggood.c...
KAIWEETS HT118E MULTIMETER
s.click.aliexp...
amzn.to/3yC0ZRe
amzn.to/3SHIEcy
www.banggood.c...
VC480C+ MILLIOHM METER
s.click.aliexp...
amzn.to/46Gg1Cm
amzn.to/3YwUjyn
MESR-100 ESR METER
amzn.to/3yxQ0Zd
amzn.to/3WSr73A
s.click.aliexp...
XC6013L CAPACITOR METER
s.click.aliexp...
amzn.to/4cf2lzm
amzn.to/4dw9cp5
TM-902C TEMPERATURE METER
s.click.aliexp...
amzn.to/4fAz44L
amzn.to/4fBxD69
LCR-T4 COMPONENT ANALYZER
s.click.aliexp...
www.banggood.c...
amzn.to/3X4rOHv
amzn.to/3Agcj6h
FNB58 USB ANALYZER
s.click.aliexp...
amzn.to/3MgBFnn
amzn.to/4dyLU1H
www.banggood.c...
PCI POST ANALYZER
s.click.aliexp...
amzn.to/4dd8ihw
amzn.to/3LTpeO7
TL460S PLUS PCI_E ANALYZER
s.click.aliexp...
amzn.to/3WEsdi6
TOOLTOP ET120MC2 SCOPE
s.click.aliexp...
amzn.to/4dCaz5L
amzn.to/4dxOYLt
FNIRSI 1014D SCOPE
s.click.aliexp...
amzn.to/3AdZqK1
www.banggood.c...
NPS3010W 30V 10A PSU
s.click.aliexp...
amzn.to/4dzl2yM
T12 STATION WITH M8 9501 HANDLE
s.click.aliexp...
amzn.to/46E73W6
M8 9501 HANDLE
s.click.aliexp...
YIHUA 982 Soldering Station C210/C245
s.click.aliexp...
FNIRSI HS-02 PORTABLE SOLDERING C210/C245
s.click.aliexp...
amzn.to/3Yv7Ma5
QUICK 861DW
s.click.aliexp...
amzn.to/3WDF4B5
amzn.to/4ci7rdW
PROS'KIT SS-331H
s.click.aliexp...
INFIRAY P2 PRO IR CAMERA + MACRO LENS
s.click.aliexp...
www.banggood.c...
amzn.to/4coSRle
amzn.to/4coSV4s
TOOLTOP ET13S THERMAL CAMERA METER
s.click.aliexp...
ET13S MACRO LENS
s.click.aliexp...
OPTICAL MICROSCOPE
s.click.aliexp...
usa.banggood.c...
amzn.to/4dzBA9G
TOMLOV TM4K AF FLEX
amzn.to/3LY0YKs
tomlov.com/pro...
TL866 II+ PROGRAMMER
s.click.aliexp...
amzn.to/3SGKL05
CH341 PROGRAMMER
s.click.aliexp...
NC-559-ASM FLUX
s.click.aliexp...
DESOLDER BRAID (I use size 8045)
s.click.aliexp...
s.click.aliexp...
HX-T100 SOLDER (0.6MM)
s.click.aliexp...
ESD-11 TWEEZERS
s.click.aliexp...
Learn Electronics Repair is now on Discord! Come and join the fun, it's free.
/ discord
If you would like to support this channel
You can send donations
www.paypal.com...
You can subscribe to Patreon
/ learnelectronicsrepair
You can click Join to become a channel member
Thank you
Richard

[@LearnElectronicsRepair]

Sorry for the slightly iffy editing on this one guys. Thanks to a couple of subscribers I now have the part number for the broken connector so I'll order some and see if the motherboard damage can be repaired. It's worth giving a go as the connectors are about €2 and the motherboard is about €300 and it's good to practice micro soldering and track/pad repair from time to time. There is no reason *not* to try fixing it.

[@dondywondy]

On a repair I did on my (1st gen) Mavic Mini, I used a drop of UV curing glue on the various connectors and it worked very well.

[@alanrichardson1672]

Great video, interesting to see inside a modern bit of tech. You guys really work well together, look forward to seeing more of this content. 👍👍

[@SolderBrothers]

Those are fun aren't they. Had a customer rip the micro coax off the antenna, that was a fun solder job...

[@LearnElectronicsRepair]

Oh yeah they are real fun to work on. *Cautionary note to viewers* : These things are definitely NOT for soldering newbies, wusses or the faint hearted! 😳 🤬😱

[@TheElectronicDilettante]

That amount of damage seems to be from collision with another drone or aircraft, and came to rest in the tree. I’ve seen a bunch of drones after crashing to earth at full speed and none have had that much damage. It would take another object with equal or greater mass /velocity to come into direct contact with this drone to damage it like this. It could be that’s it’s purpose. If unregistered, it could be an “anti drone “ drone basically just a kinetic energy weapon. You guys are a blast to watch! Thanks for the videos.

[@LearnElectronicsRepair]

It fell out of a very high palm tree (10m or more, probably three stories high compared to the nearby building) and landed on hard paving slabs with nothing to cushion the blow. We're fairly confident that is what caused the damage

[@timtamgar4844]

I agree. The damage shown and received by this drone would have had to involve a far far greater impact than just flying full speed into a tree then falling to the ground. And even so, why not at least attempt return it to original owner, illegal or not. This was someone's property that got stolen and butchered.

[@Dutch_off_grid_homesteading]

Heya, what iffy editing it is great to see how you 2 are trying to open this drone it's like reall time watching I like it so notthing iffy about it. 1st X watching some 1 opening dji drone have 1 myself so now I know it's a trouble maker thanks for sharing

[@f1remandg]

Hi What’s happened to the live stream, it said 1700hrs London time? So that should be on now. Regards David

[@renefuller9241]

Got any more Drone videos? This one is way cool! Maybe create a drone channel?

[@f1remandg]

Patients is a virtue, but if it costs you half the price of a replacement, plus maybe seeing what can be done with the motherboard, vinaigrette and brown paper, then add in the educational aspect and I think it’s a winner, I have a cheap drone that I took to Portugal and having a large apartment and propeller protectors I was flying it in the apartment and crashed, and two of the propellers stoped working, it reminded me of one of those dogs that has a buggy for back legs, I will have a look at it but any ideas would be great.

[@LearnElectronicsRepair]

Yes I'll give that a go if i can find a replacement for the broken connector

[@Karthor.]

I tried to fly a DJI Mavic pro indoors once, i won't ever do it again because it started to drift (because of gps and low light) and for some reason it would not land so i tried to grab it but caught the propellers instead, luckily i didn't hurt myself too much and just needed new propellers to the drone

[@LearnElectronicsRepair]

You should buy a propeller guard maybe

[@Karthor.]

​@@LearnElectronicsRepair Yeah probably would have helped

[@Ntcartuchos]

you should learn to pilot ATTI mode maybe

[@-gk-creative]

Hello DJI mini 3 pro processor thermal paste is blue in color. Can I find this blue thermal paste online? Which thermal paste do you recommend as an alternative?

[@dondywondy]

The DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro, using the standard battery (not the extended flight battery) weighs only 249 grams and does not require registration in many locales (below 250 grams).

[@LearnElectronicsRepair]

True, but there is a proviso to that - any drone that has a camera or video recording capability requires registration regardless of the weight. Well in the EU anyway. Possibly it is not an issue in the UK since they've taken back control and can make whatever laws they like now.

[@dondywondy]

@@LearnElectronicsRepair Thanks for the info, I did not know about that! In the US, where I am, only the below 250 grams matters, camera is not considered. Thanks again!

[@roland_karibe]

I crashed my drone in a similar manner and i need to order my left arm. Where do I order?

[@wardaddy54]

Can i send my drone to yall to fix it?

[@paulstaf]

I crashed my Mini-2 into a tree and broke the arm. Got one off Amazon and replaced it myself.

[@orion310591RS]

2pcs 24pin Plug Port On Flex For DJI Air 2s FPC Connector Slot On Motherboard

[@LearnElectronicsRepair]

Is that the motherboard connector that was ripped off? Do you have a link to buy? I may try to fix it as there is nothing to lose

[@thehighwayman78]

Looking forward to that fix!

[@Dutch_off_grid_homesteading]

@@thehighwayman78 heya, oh yeah me too

[@orion310591RS]

@@LearnElectronicsRepair This website keeps deleting my comments... yes search it online.

[@LearnElectronicsRepair]

@@orion310591RS can you email me [e-mail] Thanks

[@paulstaf]

I am sure if you contact DJI, they can tell you who it belongs to.

[@viniciusvbf22]

You can probably fix that motherboard investing much time, patience and very skilled microsoldering. Same goes for the heatsink, that you can try to fix with some brazing. Now, is it worth it? Well, for learning new skills and for YT content, it probably is. I'd like to see that. Economically, probably not.

[@LearnElectronicsRepair]

I'm going to have a go at the motherboard to see if I can fix it. The heatsink is not expensive to just get a replacement, same with the rotor arm mount. The arm itself is probably OK

[@viniciusvbf22]

Nice! Thanks for your content. I know how time consuming it is to put these videos online. I have a small channel and I struggle very much to publish new content weekly.

[@LearnElectronicsRepair]

Well the motherboard is €300 and the connectors are €2 so I would say it makes perfect economic sense to have a go

[@richardlopez5567]

Who can fix

[@stanecauldable]

A 250 gram drone falling out of a tree sounds like a car hitting a scooter? Wow! That drone likely cost someone over 600€ but you're ok with assuming ownership, because "... they probably claimed on holiday insurance anyway". If it had been a car hitting a scooter would you have claimed the scooter as legal salvage? That it was probably being operated illegally (and that is only an assumption on your part) and you not notifying authorities of you finding it because the owner would be in deep s*** is a poor justification for taking ownership of that drone. If it had been my drone I would have been gutted to lose it and know that someone who found it couldn't care less how much it cost me. Anyway, I think your morals have dropped out of that same tree and I'm disappointed in your obvious ecstasy of the whole thing without even attempting to identify the true owner.

[@andrewsz8552]

That drone is the fruit of the tree so it was free to take away 😄