How to Waterproof Your Drone

[@dezmain]

"I'm just going to put cocaine all over the back of this"

[@PassingBy]

Great idea. You will be the first guy to hover underwater.

[@jubalfpv969]

I’ve been reluctant on this stuff. I’ll get it now thanks man

[@TRONCATFPV]

yes, highly recommended!

[@davidtomasgaitanrodriguez1356]

Just be careful with the USB connector, SD slot or the image sensor of the camera, try not to cover those because it will damage them! :)

[@TRONCATFPV]

Yes the image sensor you need to be careful about not covering and normally need to disassemble the camera like I did in this vid. For the USB port new shipments of kotking luckily come with a USB cover so you can place that inside the USB port and put kotking right over it. If you need to plug it in you just take the cover out and you’re good 👍 for the micro SD card slot I just caked it up with kotking to be safe lol. On my drone it’s the blackbox but on some drones it records DVR. Thanks for watching!

[@sirtubemaster]

What about using dielectric grease in the plug fittings? its typically used for electrical connections for water.

[@madladdan]

I feel like I'd do this as a precaution but never actually fly in the rain. Until I mess up and crash in a puddle and the test is done for me😂

[@adamviaja]

I'm here because I crashed in a puddle 😭

[@yannickg6904]

This reminds me of the Goby 180 video from a few years back. Nice work! 👍

[@TRONCATFPV]

Thanks for watching!

[@olbeirdo8376]

it rly sounds like he keeps saying cocaine AHHAHA

[@alvarooyarbide4180]

Hey! Nice video and so helpful! Have you done something to your batteries? Or you just plug them as they are? I am thinking of flying through the coast and the salt water freaks me! Thank you

[@TRONCATFPV]

I didnt have to do anything to the batteries, I've flown in salt water and everything held up fine! motors slightly stiffen up due to the salt water but rinse it off with tap water and youre good to go!

[@MrSmithFPV]

Really nice test! Very helpful!

[@TRONCATFPV]

Glad it helped!! 🙌 thanks for watching

[@djilly75]

If its the right kind of conformal coating its really easy to solder through

[@romanmechetnerful]

Awesome video man !!!

[@TRONCATFPV]

Glad you liked it!

[@ricknmoorte1498]

Wow bro subscribed!! This was an amazing video! I had a question 🙋‍♂️ if anybody sees this. Does sediment build up on the coils of the motors after the drone drys ? Is there any risk to the rc motors due to the rain?

[@adamviaja]

Great tutorial! Thank you!

[@colinmetzger6755]

I've always wanted to try this to make an underwater drone.

[@TRONCATFPV]

It’s very reassuring to know it’s waterproof when flying over water 👌 Thanks for watching!

[@Funcentric]

Wow, video was very well put together. Can't believe you actually put it in the bathtub for us! Thank you. Did you treat the battery in any way? Leads going into the battery from the connector? Can you say a few more words about how you addressed the SD car slot? I wasn't too clear on that. I did see you put KoatKing on it but what about the slot itself?

[@TRONCATFPV]

Im glad this video helped! I was nervous putting it in the bathtub lol. The batteries that I use seem to work fine with no treatment. to be safe you could always put kotking on the battery leads going into the XT60 connector and on the battery. For the SD card slot, on my drone that is the blackbox SD card. I just kept the SD card in there and put kotking all over it since it doesnt have to be removed. Thanks for watching!

[@lazircamacho3004]

Very nice video on waterproofing fpv I will try this idea

[@TRONCATFPV]

Hope this video helped! I have another Waterproofing video coming out within the next two weeks so stay tuned 👍

[@mattsupertramp6506]

You said it might be hard soldering onto the board, have you tried yet? Because I'm sure I'll have to make modifications/repairs at some point

[@TRONCATFPV]

I haven't had to do any more work to this drone since applying the kotking. I imagine that you could always try and peel it off by hand since it goes on relatively thick. You could also burn through it with your soldering iron i'm sure. If I have to do any maintenance on this drone that requires removing the kotking I will be sure to film the procedure 🤙

[@rodriguezperalta3212]

Amazing! It's just so necessary. Would it work on digital? Should I try it on caddx vista or dji air unit?...

[@TRONCATFPV]

I’m sure it would work on digital!

[@ValFPV]

Hey man, this seems like a great way to make the electronics waterproof, but what about the bearings in the motors? won't those start rusting over time? oh and a question about the kotking itself: does it stink when applying? because currently I'm using silicone conformal coating and it stinks like poison!

[@TRONCATFPV]

yes if you dont take the motors apart and clean them they could definitely get rusty over time, especially if you're dunking your drone underwater a lot haha. I typically take a bottle of distilled water with me to rinse the motors afterwards if I do dunk my drone. I haven't had any issues with rust yet! Kotking has a unique smell lol, it is definitely not as brutal as conformal coating though. Thanks for watching!

[@ValFPV]

@@TRONCATFPV aah that's a nice solution! I think I'm gonna get me some koatking then, because I really hate the smell of conformal coating

[@TRONCATFPV]

Haha yea conformal coating is pretty bad. Kotking is definitely more subtle

[@pahpatree597]

Wonderful video & very helpful ~ I was wondering if you were ever going to make a video tutorial on waterproofing a digital quad with a DJI Air Unit? I'm wanting to try this but I'm not sure it's possible unless you fully enclose the unit. Also are you still using Kotking or is FPV Worry Free the better choice? Thanks & I just subscribed to your channel ~ keep up the great work.

[@TRONCATFPV]

I'm in the middle of filming another waterproofing video as we speak! For this next one i'm using an AIO board and FPV worry free. I'm excited to compare the two! As far as waterproofing the Air unit or Vista, I've used conformal coating on the outer parts of the vista and its water resistant. I can fly it in light rain & Snow no problems. I wouldnt coat it completely in FPV worry free or kotking since I think it would over heat.

[@aymen3962]

@@TRONCATFPV can we protect the ESC with kotking ? and not use shrinking wires. thanks

[@djilly75]

Good job. Thats awesome

[@embodiedbillionaire]

Does there need to be a seal around your battery connection?? I definitely gonna try it

[@UNLOCKEDANDOVERCLOCK]

What about the brushless motors do you have to coat the wire on those I feel like those would burn out if they got wet

[@dronesfpvrazing2853]

Muy buen video 👋🏻 saludos soy dominicano

[@nyclassic4ever130]

Tried this on a AIO whoop. Yeah I know bad move. So now won't arm due to RPM filtering and No gyro! I guess only thing to try is to remove it. I already wrote back to factory diff on CLI but nothing works. My FC might be toast. 🤦‍♂

[@shaycohen8644]

1) What about battery dji drone? 2) i need to put inside?

[@dronejunkee2743]

At first I thought you said you're going to put cocaine on your drone lol 😆

[@OvaDose707]

Thank God, I thought I was the only one that was hearing cocaine at first. I was about to go get my hearing checked. 🤣🤣

[@osbberjen]

thats one way to get the drone high

[@redbaronfpv8555]

New sub. That was a dam good video man. Well done.

[@TRONCATFPV]

thank ya! 🙌

[@JoachimPersonalAccount]

Anything I should know about the xt60 and the battery itself?

[@andrewut7ya511]

Sweet! Do you need to prep the battery at all? I just coated my electronics yesterday! I dont plan on submerging but id like the ability

[@TRONCATFPV]

nope! you actually don't have to do anything to the battery

[@andrewut7ya511]

@@TRONCATFPV i guess it makes sense cus if the cells werent sealed it would have blown up already lol but im glad to hear its safe from someone whos done it. Im so excited, quad is coated ready to build, duilding it soon and its freakin raining today, its perfect. Thanks for the video and reply

[@Angryharry1]

i know this is an old vid now but link still works so what the hell. Did you find that one tube of 15ml was enough. I'm not saying its a huge expense but i do only have the one drone so its unlikely i'll be doing it again any time soon

[@EJ3.16]

Nice video thank you but What about motors don’t need protection???

[@TRONCATFPV]

Brushless motors are naturally waterproof 👍

[@EJ3.16]

@@TRONCATFPV okay thanks a lot 👍🏻👍🏻

[@rodolphestpreux]

That was awsome

[@Stevieboyfpv]

wow! impressive! so how do you get the footage off the quad with the sd card sealed in. also did you coat inside the usb socket?

[@TRONCATFPV]

Good question! The micro SD card that is on the flight controller actually logs blackbox data. The only way that I get footage from the quad is from a GoPro (which is already waterproof) or through my goggle feed. As for the USB port, new orders of kotking include a little 3D printed USB protector that you insert into the port when coating. This makes it so you can still use the USB port even after applying kotking. Thanks for watching!

[@Stevieboyfpv]

@@TRONCATFPV ahh I see! I did think a little plug for the USB would be a good idea. Didnt realise the sd was just for blackbox. Great video I want to film some kiteboarding soon i think for that this stuff might be the way forward 👌👍

[@weewhackr2250]

Cool video mang. Thanx for showing us that it can be done. Want to attempt a built. Want to hard wire in the antennas to an air unit and then seal it up using high temp silicone. Solder the air unit to the FC then seal both the FC and 4 in 1 with the Kotking. Did you seal up the battery also with the Kotking? And do yo have any advice other than the video. Thanks a bunck.

[@TRONCATFPV]

Thank you! I did not put any kotking on the battery, the only parts you need to coat are the FC, ESC, Camera, VTX and reciever. I actually have an update video on this coming out very soon so stay tuned! Thanks for watching!

[@weewhackr2250]

@@TRONCATFPV Yeah nice man. Can't wait to see it. I hope you waterproofed an air unit. lol

[@norbertperness3845]

Let me ask about the ballance plug on the battery. So how the deal with the JST ballance plug? any idea guys?

[@AaronGawin]

I really loved when he drop at first time 2 seconds ah ah… 😆

[@okedeh3498]

wow nice, how about motor, also need coatking, friend?

[@TRONCATFPV]

The motors are naturally waterproof and don’t require and waterproofing. If you fly in salt water I’d suggest carrying a bottle of distilled water to clean the motors with 👌 I have an update to this video coming out soon so stay tuned! This drone got some upgrades 😉

[@e.n.2076]

very nice, i like it, good job

[@TRONCATFPV]

thanks for watching!

[@lfmhfernadomoran]

Hi, nice video, i was wondering what hapend to the batery.. stild fine?

[@TRONCATFPV]

yup! battery is fine

[@AhmadFPV]

hi, thanks for the review do you thing I can do caddx vista? dissemble it all then do it all over. but there is a heatsink inside vista, do you think this product could keep the heat away?

[@TRONCATFPV]

I'm really not sure how waterproof you'll be able to get a vista unit due to the heatsink inside. They make "naked" vistas. I think your best bet might be to get one of those then just coat it in kotking.

[@meltonenterprises6761]

Do buttons still work that get coated? Like on the reciever?

[@TRONCATFPV]

Yes, kotking just coats the outside of whatever you’re waterproofing. All buttons should continue to work fine! Thanks for watching!

[@meltonenterprises6761]

@@TRONCATFPV Awesome thank you for the great video and info!

[@crank_FPV]

Maybe dumb question, the battery is all waterproof as is? Just th connecting I need to focus on?

[@TRONCATFPV]

yes, LiPo's are waterproof as are brushless motors 👍

[@beauluftenburg3167]

The Xt plugs are water tight?

[@genboxofficial7417]

If I did this on a tiny whoop and fly on a hot day can that lead to the quad overheating? I really want to do this but I’m worried if it’ll cause overheating on smaller quads

[@TRONCATFPV]

I've actually been thinking of putting kotking on my tinyhawk freestyle. I'll have to add this to my video queue because i've also been curious. Stay tuned! i'll try and make that video soon 👍

[@genboxofficial7417]

@@TRONCATFPV I was thinking something smaller like the tiny hawk 2 or mobula 7 because of their popularity especially in beginners and because nobody has done it yet. I’m subscribing btw

[@genboxofficial7417]

@@TRONCATFPV also when you put the coke Cain around plugs like for the camera does that make it unplugable and permanent? Or can you still unplug it but with more force?

[@TRONCATFPV]

Thanks for the sub! The tinyhawk freestyle has the same internals as the tinyhawk 2 so im sure it would be similar. Yes you can unplug the camera even after applying kotking, you will have to re-apply kotking once the camera is plugged back in tho.

[@genboxofficial7417]

@@TRONCATFPV wait, what protects the USB port?

[@Cre8ionz.]

Props off !!

[@Roby0593]

Even the VTX and ESC have been done with that product before go in water right ?

[@TRONCATFPV]

yup!

[@knoxvillehill]

THIA IS AWESOME AND AO HELPFUL. been wanting to waterproof my 7" long range since i saw that depp designs video. they dont deliver anymore due to chain supply or something ... so this is even a better less clumsy alternative. Question ! don't you need some kind a float on the quad preventing drowning when falling in body of water? also would it be ok in salt water?

[@TRONCATFPV]

Thanks!! For floatation yes you would want to add a water bottle underneath or something to the drone so you can retrieve it incase of a failsafe. As far as salt water goes, I have dunked mine in the ocean many times and it still works great. I keep a bottle of distilled water to pour over the motors so they dont corrode. Hope this helps!

[@aymen3962]

​ @TRONCAT FPV hey bro ! thanks for the amazing video you made ! now you have a new invention that is a submarine and a drone in one hahahaha

[@scu-dub]

Great stuff man!!!! For a newb im tired of not being able to fly when it rains........now what about the radio and gogs lol I seen a case you can put your hands and radio in and still operate the radio but gogs???? Well Los is better than nothing lol excellent man👍✌🤌

[@TRONCATFPV]

haha usually when flying outside I'll just sit in my car to protect the goggles and radio from the rain. Thanks for watching!

[@ryanclinetv]

What about GPS? I left mine uncovered but was wondering if it would short my whole drone should it get wet?

[@JaydenLawson]

You’ll need to coat it too

[@djilly75]

Could have just coated the esc's. Most boards are already conformal coated when you get them new but if course we solder on them. Be sure to put something in the usb or you'll never be able to use it again

[@TRONCATFPV]

I actually had to replace one of the ESC's recently and taking off just the heat shrink made it very easy. Kotking includes little USB-C and Micro USB plugs for the flight controller, definitely want to use those 👍 Thanks for watching!

[@duanepipe5025]

Thanks for the vid, I'm thinking of using this on a dji mini, because of the 3 axis gimbal I see issues with the movement, maybe Corrosion X here? Also because of the casing and the electronics being closed in would Coat King affect overheating as these drones do get warm? Thanks, subbed 👍🏼

[@TRONCATFPV]

I would be careful with putting anything on the gimbal. If it can’t move freely it will freeze up and not move at all. I think the best thing you could do is see if there’s a clear casing that can go around the gimbal so it can still move freely but is protected. Even something like corrosion x or conformal coating could get into the small bearings and cause damage. Hope this helps!

[@spireEngineering6523]

@@TRONCATFPV corrosion x is actually a lube too tho so it should be fine on bearings and all.

[@WegaFPV]

I have rush tank ultimate vtx which is have a like metal shielding on top of it, so can I coat it by just flooding it from outside ? or should I open the shield(I dont know if it safe)

[@JaydenLawson]

Have the same issue. I’d say open it up and flood it, as the metal heat sink is necessary to dissipate heat. Did you end up trying it?

[@putranjiakhyar]

My quad water proof, but if underwater cant arming, can you tell me what the problem?

[@TRONCATFPV]

are you getting any arming flags in your OSD?

[@mopar392ta3]

What about the motors?

[@kkrishnanunni857]

Hey I just wanted to ask you about the repairability of the drone after the coating . Would i be able to soder on it again or desoder it with the coat on?

[@TRONCATFPV]

You can peel the waterproofing off and then solder whatever you need 👍

[@kkrishnanunni857]

@@TRONCATFPV thanks bro ❤️❤️❤️

[@DimmyV]

I get that this is going to help when flying in wet conditions but if it makes it hard to repair like a motor is damaged or need a new flight controller then you would need to buy a whole new drone… can someone confirm if you can make changes or once coated that’s it. Thanks

[@DimmyV]

How does it handle heat too?

[@TRONCATFPV]

you can peel off the waterproofing to do repairs 👍

[@Shiover]

Клей T7000 или B7000 чем не угодил? И дешевле и работает так же.

[@S.D.Creativo]

How can the motors still work under the water?🤔

[@TRONCATFPV]

Brushless motors are naturally waterproof! No coating is required 👍 Gonna have an update video coming out soon with a new waterproofing product. Thanks for watching!

[@FastSloW-qt8xf]

I don't think I'd go that far with the stuff. But a quick coat to prevent shorts from morning dew tumbles would have saved me money in the past

[@TRONCATFPV]

the purpose of going that far with it is to make a drone completely submergeable. if you're just looking to prevent shorts I wouldnt use kotking I would coat it in conformal coating. Hope this helps! Thanks for watching!

[@thegentlestories214]

what about the motors? doesn't they get affected over time by the water? especially salt water?

[@TRONCATFPV]

yes salt water can corrode them, if flying at the beach I always take a bottle of distilled water to rinse out the motors after flying. I havent had any issues yet! Thanks for watching!

[@h2o-fpv623]

Good stuff men thank u

[@TRONCATFPV]

hope it helped! Thanks for watching!

[@VYSCEN]

Is the motor originally waterproof?😲

[@TRONCATFPV]

yup!

[@vungocanhxd]

Do the motor waterproof already

[@Mike-fm3km]

what happens if you put it on the esc instead of shrink wrapping? because i have a esc and the flight controller all in one.

[@TRONCATFPV]

you can put kotking on the ESC and it will be fine. only reason I did heat shrink on mine is so I can swap them out easier. Stay tuned I actually have a video coming out soon on a new waterproof build that is an AIO board. Thanks for watching!

[@ryanclinetv]

Could you replicate this same thing on a pre built drone like Ellis van Jason’s BOP57? Im currently looking at that drone over a 7inch from Iflight. Thanks!

[@JaydenLawson]

Yes

[@rotorfpv4117]

pvb60 is the same?

[@TRONCATFPV]

I think that pvb60 would be more similar to conformal coating than kotking. I’ve never used pvb60 so I can’t really vouch for it but just be careful of sensors. Kotking is very thick and will not disrupt sensors where as conformal coating can actually make sensors malfunction. I only use conformal coating to make electronics water resistant, not completely waterproof or submergeable. Thanks for watching!

[@rotorfpv4117]

@@TRONCATFPV thx

[@Chanakya-bo8yw]

Isn't this affect the barometer on the FC?

[@goldence2431]

Yea pretty sure it fucks those readings up, same for gyro I think

[@evandoyle891]

Did you water proof the balance lead to or just left it?

[@TRONCATFPV]

Balance lead doesnt require waterproofing. Got an update video coming out soon where I waterproof a Vista 😉

[@JaydenLawson]

@@TRONCATFPV not sure that’s good advice. It could easily short

[@TRONCATFPV]

@@JaydenLawson if you’re concerned about your balance lead shorting you could put tape around it before flying. I have used waterproof drones with multiple lipos with nothing covering the balance plug and I’ve never had an issue with any of them.

[@davidout2520]

You did not put anything in the motors right? that just also works when it is wet?

[@TRONCATFPV]

Correct, Brushless motors are naturally waterproof. Thanks for watching! 🙌

[@davidout2520]

@@TRONCATFPV thanks for the response! Looking forward to my first water build 💪

[@Unknown-nc4ce]

How many amps esc you used for this quad? And what is the kv of the motor

[@TRONCATFPV]

on this drone the ESC's are 30a and the motors were just 2600kv motors. Thanks for watching!

[@Unknown-nc4ce]

It doesn't burn on 4s?

[@TRONCATFPV]

@@Unknown-nc4ce I haven’t had any issues on 4s

[@ajstruhar2048]

After hearing ypu say coat king so many times it started sounding like cocane lol

[@lennix7362]

what is if i want to sodder something after doing it?

[@TRONCATFPV]

kkotking peels up pretty easy. peel it up, solder on what you need, then re-apply the kotking 👍

[@lennix7362]

@@TRONCATFPV ok thank u nice to know but what is with a buzzer?

[@elmalinois3767]

And to isolate motors? Any idea?

[@TRONCATFPV]

brushless motors are naturally waterproof 🙌

[@elmalinois3767]

@@TRONCATFPV thanks a lot !! I love this videos!!

[@dextro3163]

What do you do about rust in the motors?

[@TRONCATFPV]

I carry a bottle of distilled water to rinse the drone and motors off with if I happen to land in salt water. Hope this helps! I'll actually be having a follow up video on the waterproof drone coming out very soon so stay tuned

[@dextro3163]

@@TRONCATFPV Thanks for the reply, i look forward to tour next video

[@bobertjones4754]

Coat King sounds like something els😂😂😂

[@manski209]

Hi, do you belong to any FPV forums?

[@TRONCATFPV]

yes! I really only use intofpv.com and r/fpv

[@stickboyfpv4742]

Whats the weight difference before and after?!🤣

[@TRONCATFPV]

LOL I totally should have weighed it beforehand just to see 🤣

[@stickboyfpv4742]

@@TRONCATFPV lol yeah I was tryna be funny😜 but I guess I am curious🤔

[@copykon]

sounded like cocaine

[@TRONCATFPV]

😆

[@Pilotkosinus]

why do i always hear cocaine?

[@Pilotkosinus]

at some cocaine here and some cocain there.

[@ethan_b06]

I have the same soldering iron lol

[@Cre8ionz.]

Get MG Chemicals silicone modified conformal coating (422B or 422B) and work under UV Light. You can see the coating "glowing" - it will dry faster under uv light and you know where you put it and where not. Everything else is 💩

[@TRONCATFPV]

I use conformal coating on all my other quads to make them water resistant, not completely waterproof. Kotking is very thick and will not disrupt sensors where as conformal coating can actually make sensors malfunction (i've had it happen). Kotking is the best way to go if you're looking to make a quad completely submerge-able. Thanks for watching!

[@jeydronefpv]

🤩🤪🔥👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@rctrix9063]

So you break a soldered wire and its junk. 🤧

[@TRONCATFPV]

I think if you rip off a soldered wire, you'll probably have bigger problems with your quad lol

[@maksymarestov3269]

…man, u sure use a lot of “kokin”

[@TECHnoman753]

The battery wasn't coated 💀 remember to do that too

[@TRONCATFPV]

yes you could always add some kotking to the xt60 end or at the base where the wires go in. I havent had any problems with my uncoated batteries but i'm sure it wouldnt hurt! thanks for watching!

[@ValFPV]

the battery is waterproof already if the cells are all fine and undamaged

[@theartofflying3108]

A cocaine???