Parrot DISCO 4G LTE Solar Panel Mod Install - Solarealdrone Kit (Works for other Planes/Wings)

[@EnglishTurbines]

This Disco wing is soooo underated...constant signal connection over the network, regardless especially when flying low...Such an underrated concept IMO.

[@cateyesaerial7703]

I saw a guy on youtube calling the disco "stupid" and "useless" smh. It's probably the best drone ever!

[@aj-qn7nm]

@@cateyesaerial7703 a bigger version of the disco would be nice asf

[@cateyesaerial7703]

@@aj-qn7nm You could mount disco electronics in a Skywalker x8, which is quite a bit bigger.

[@rollandriehn6404]

Might have been the original super high price

[@theflamingo2968]

It’s fun reading these comments as someone not involved in this community. You all have peaked my interest, looks so fun!

[@usmcmma]

This is unreal! I started flying FPV in 03 and we were psyched to get 433mhz LRS systems and 900mhz 1w tx/rx. I remember when we had early antenna trackers and homemade yagi's that gave us about 5 miles range. Felt like it couldn't get any better than that. Would have killed for this setup! Great job!

[@mickfitz76]

I love this disco. It's what got me here.

[@DustinDunnill]

I'll always have time for making more Disco videos. Still my most favorite RC flyer especially with the 4G mod 🙂🍻

[@dieweltentdecker5878]

@@DustinDunnill How much cost the whole setup?

[@Pyro1776]

That’s cool... and thanks for the sunny video, it’s snowing here this morning...

[@morpheus636]

Hey dustin. I just wanted to say thanks. I just got my first drone (parrot anafi) and its AMAZING. Thanks for introducing me to the hobby.

[@larrycolson7451]

Cant wait to see the video of the flight. I watched the video from island to island and can’t wait to see the outcome. I’m not into planes but am very interested in the technology of this where quads are concerned. Keep em coming Dustin!

[@shaheerburney398]

I loved the last video, I’m going to enjoy this one too. Also I finally received your notification

[@megaglowz8540]

Very impressive. I've enjoyed watching your stuff over the years.

[@YorkshireDroneFlyer]

Just nearly pressed the buy now button but will wait until your video, not had my disco's out this year but looking forward to next year, not sure these will perform well in the UK with the little sun we have. Great video and great mod, Keep em coming :-)

[@DustinDunnill]

Definitely need some sun to make it worthwhile. I think it will suplement the batteries with about 1 to 2 amps of charge with good sun 🍻

[@YorkshireDroneFlyer]

@@DustinDunnill thanks for your reply and looking forward to the next video with this in use, so you think 3s 2p is still the king? I think 3p is just a little too much weight personally.

[@DustinDunnill]

I think so. The compared time gain is diminished a bit with 3s3p because of the weight, plus servos and motor are working harder so more wear and tear. I think I got about 80-90 minutes with 3s2p and 120 max with 3s3p. It can handle it just depends on if that extra flight time is really necessary 🍻

[@beefybeef1326]

.... this looks awesome!. Love your disco adventures Dustin!

[@Tommyfrommyspace]

AWESOME! you do the coolest mods man.

[@gigilaco]

I’ve been thinking about this ever since I got my disco. What a great idea! Keep us posted on how it works)

[@Scooterkid07]

I really love the fact how people still make the Parrot Disco better even though the craft was discontinued!

[@DustinDunnill]

Disco can still be found around the net refurbished and used for sale 🙂🍻

[@ScorpioNick]

I thought people were joking about this in the earlier videos.. Wow! I cannot wait to see what you do with this; it's been way too long since the last Disco/Fury video (though of course life and responsibilities must come first).

[@Carrera0to60]

Hey Dustin, since that balance connecter is going to be a high use connection, I would reinforce the back side where the wires are soldered to the pins. What I do, that seems to really beef them up, is cut a piece of heatshrink that can slip over the connecter and will cover from the front edge to about 1/4" past the pins. Then I slip it over the connecter and squirt a liberal amount of hot glue in the back side covering all the pins and wires. Then when you use heat to shrink the heatshrink it squeezes out the excess and creates a really nice strain relief for the connection.

[@DustinDunnill]

Hey great idea. I thought about it a few times indeed and sounds like a good method 🍻

[@Randomposting852]

Always love your videos man. Thansk.

[@pablop7461]

Hi. I am from Guatemala and 5 friends and me bought parrot discos and all we are very happy with this wonderfull wings. We are also used 4G and 360 cameras and the flying time is amaizing. Please lets us know all the information with the solar cells and the data when you complete the flight then we see if can put this solar panels on owns parrots. Thank you and we wish you the best. Congratulations 🤗

[@BigAlFPV17]

Really cool. Excellent video Dustin & looking forward to the flight video 😊

[@georgejackson7191]

Awesome you make the best parrot disco videos

[@joepowers3731]

That is so awesome. Can't wait for the flight test.

[@darshitbharucha223]

Thanks for review Dustin. I like itvery much. Keep reviewing this type of rc's. Thank you very much.

[@Bato2000]

I have been doing calculations and I think it will give between 15 and 30% autonomy for the solar panels depending on how sunny the day is. I am looking forward to seeing the result

[@jimmypockets2337]

Interested to see how long it extends flight time...

[@mrguitman99]

Wow Dusting you have made lots of mods to the disco and it’s amazing. I would totally see you doing the first drone crosspacsific flight if it were possible. Loved the video. Mele Kalikimaka. Hope you have a great one.

[@markcloudchaser874]

Very Cool Job Dustin 👍💯 cannot wait to see it go. Good Job brother 👍💯

[@jonathanglatz7756]

I love everything about your Videos! I'd love to see more of the Parrot :D

[@kenweller2032]

Way cool!!! Since the Disco is out of production, are there any alternatives for doing 4G long range and this solar mod?

[@DustinDunnill]

Not in such a complete smart system as the disco but some have transplanted the disco flight controller into similar wings with success 🍻

[@tuttoto]

Delair UX11... military surveillance drone... 15000$.

[@SetitesTechAdventures]

One day when I finally get into the hobby I want to see if the GASB One 3d printed wing would be compatible with disco mods. It's wingspan is smaller but there is a customizable Proteus design too. There are also other 3d wings like the one from Eclipson. I just mention these because 3d printing offers a lot of options. You can also buy models of the parrot disco though in my super brief research I saw claims that the model might not be an aerodynamic copy.

[@tuttoto]

@@SetitesTechAdventures the actual value of a disco comes from its multi core Linux computer... not the piece of foam around it. There WON’T be something like this in the future... the new set of drone regulation is forbidding it.

[@shaheerburney398]

Will be waiting for the flight test

[@dacreedmotivation5597]

Thanks for yet another wonderful video

[@ninja_nikolaj1]

I love your vids ecpecialy your disco videos they are way too cool to compete with any youtuber.

[@Helderhugo]

This is awesome. Maybe I wil do this at some point.

[@Nebbia_affaraccimiei]

i cannot wait for the test flight!!

[@OzExpeditions]

This is seriously awesome. Still doing LTE fixed wing solar drones?

[@activbb6660]

Amazing! Hope Parrot Disco be on the market again！

[@Shahyan008]

My favorite drone- can wait for the flight range

[@timothyhoffman1826]

Hi Dustin … thanks for your video’s ! You really helped me out in choosing my first drone . The mini 2 and then the air 2 s and now the parrot disco tried to do the mod to no avail! Tried a programmed flight with geo fencing and return to home disabled ! And lost my parrot! I was hoping to find one for sale with everything set up already because I’m not to computer savvy ! Well thanks again for all you do !

[@Georgewrigley]

Oh yeah Dustin, this is going to be fun! Looking forward to seeing her fly :)

[@ChidoOne505]

Can’t wait to see it fly

[@mrmidnight32]

Do you have a link to you building this paper? I was looking to learn how to build a 4G LTE fixed wing but can’t find anything that breaks it all down and shows how to build one.

[@billsomrak]

Looks very interesting. You should be able to make some flights out to the nearby islands with the solar boost. I'm a little concerned about the flex joint at the ailerons ... imagine coming back from one of the islands, and one of those joints breaks, & you suddenly lose the solar power boost! YIPE! Well, I'm sure you'll give it lots of testing, which we'll be on the lookout for. You don't have to deal with Winter there, so you're lucky. When it's Winter here in NE Ohio, we don't get many sunny days, not to mention the snow & cold. Mahalo!

[@tamisonsresources3396]

I was hoping you would do a test flight in this Video. I am very interested to see mod. Am happy that someone has thought of this

[@DustinDunnill]

Flight test comparison soon 🙂🍻

[@dawso2o2]

Merry Christmas to you and your family from mine happy new year as well from Newcastle Australia

[@heavenlylinda]

Nice to hear your voice....

[@geowa3724]

You may need to ensure the battery is disconnected when not in use. Without a charge controller the battery can back feed to the panels when there is low/no light

[@therandomnessofeverythinga7045]

He mentions in this vid if you have watched it all?

[@DustinDunnill]

Yes, leave them disconnected or cover panels until ready to launch 🍻

[@pangit9999]

Love the 4G Disco, really looking forward to the flight video!

[@gamerblog5305]

I love this disco very much

[@Tobystoysneca]

How much battery / flight time increase you get from adding these ?

[@DustinDunnill]

I seemed to get between 5-10 more minutes with 3500mah liIon battery in my flight tests 🍻

[@TheDamnSpot]

You may want to switch to two component Cyanoacrelate glue for your assembly of such items. It is a gel glue with an activator. Modellers use it to build kits. Very, very strong. Also used in carpentry to put up crown moulding and trim.

[@joneblaze82]

Cellophane wrap for entire wing perhaps or a heat shrink and have it cut to edge size in a pc cutter machine over lay the cut out and then adhere and take heat gun and shrink tight.

[@Cra1gst]

Looking forward to tests

[@sptrader6316]

I'd like to see some form of voltage regulator(they're very small and cheap these days) and something that indicates the panels are outputting the correct voltage, maybe a Series of leds that show full voltage when working properly etc, it seems to be a bit fragile. I always enjoy your experiments with aircraft.

[@TheAussiePipe]

Wow Dustin I didn’t even know this kit existed! Shame I already heat iron laminated my entire Disco. I wonder if you could laminate over the entire solar array with out damaging the cells or significantly reducing their efficiency? It would be a great way of reducing the drag. I can’t foresee a situation where I would ever need to fly longer than the 3 hours I get from my 18650 li-ion 10,000 mAh battery mod, but I must admit it would be cool to see what additional flight time and charge the solar cells give. I guess if you were flying midday in summer on a clear day you may not need anything more than the standard battery for long flights? That would make all the battery mods a lot of us have done redundant! Can’t wait to see your test flights. Great to see the disco back, I just can’t get enough of your long 4G flight videos!! 😁😁

[@DustinDunnill]

Wow your getting 3 hours with your 3s3p Li-ion pack? Or is it just an estimate? I think I could only get 120mins out of mine until it force landed at 5%. Would be cool to see how much the panel output decreased with your laminate covering 🍻

[@tuttoto]

@@DustinDunnill It should be interesting to compare your respective Center of gravity... (as I suppose you both had modified your battery parameter files in the disco).

[@derTommy]

oh my god, insane :-D i thought about solar panels on my disco so very coool that you did it. Please let us know how it does with those panels!

[@DustinDunnill]

Flight test coming up 🙂

[@Trainboy1EJR]

@@DustinDunnill It's been 3 weeks... Did you lose it?

[@DustinDunnill]

Waiting for a calm and sunny day 🍻

[@Trainboy1EJR]

@@DustinDunnill Ahh yes, the winds would probably be pretty persistent out in the middle of the actual ocean like they are here in the middle of an ocean of corn, surrounded by windmills in every direction, only had like 20 days last year where a drone could even be flown. Add in that it also has to be a sunny day for the Solar and that farther complicates things. Hopefully you'll be able to do a flight around the whole island soon enough! Wonder how long that would take? Should probably make sure there are no 4g deadzones that would make it RTH into a mountain before attempting. It should be able to make it around the whole island with that wattage!

[@rollandriehn6404]

Love the disco. Someday I will live where I can do long distance flights. DC area is not it. BLUE tape. Leaves no residue even after a couple of years.

[@bryantmaximilionalpha2840]

With those solar panels installed, you should be able to fly it, virtually for hours! Waiting....

[@albertweedsteinthethuggeni7797]

It is sad that Parrot has stopped manufacturing these. Any idea where I can get something similar?

[@Migueldeservantes]

You have any video of the night fury??

[@DustinDunnill]

Here's the playlist 🍻. Night Fury (Parrot CHUCK Transplant): kzbin.info/aero/PLQok8jR0tGxaF2vyZQzHhkHmXZsjralCa

[@tuttoto]

I love your disco videos... it is showing of what technology should bring to people’s freedom of flying, while respecting others privacy and safety. It is looking like science-fiction more and more... as our governments are restricting further and further our rights...

[@MortenHolck]

Thank you, just bought a kit right away, to my 4G modded Disco :-D

[@tonymcclendon-hobbytime7727]

Interesting mod,looking forward to the series. Would be nice to be able to put solar panels on a drone. But knowing about how it works. The drone will have too big of a draw of power on the battery for panels to make a difference. With the disco there will be times the motors will be off which give it positive charging time. Thanks Dustin for all you do for the love of the hobby.

[@kenweller2032]

Maybe try "Frog" brand tape for the install -very low residue and popular for professional paint work.

[@DustinDunnill]

🍻👍

[@jadengomez5564]

Can I just put a different brushless motor, same kv, and solder an mr30 plug that goes into the CHUCK? And if I want to put a different motor in, will I have to re-program anything in the disco?

[@DustinDunnill]

Some have tested this in forums and the CHUCK is finicky with different motors since amp draw is quite variable. I'd search some and/or test out a few motors you think will work. If it doesn't like the motor I think it will just not kick on at launch 🍻

[@jadengomez5564]

@@DustinDunnill Darn, that’s the problem with the Parrot Disco it cannot be replaced with different parts because of its programming. If only we had the keys to that...

[@axlslak]

I only had the parrot 2, which I did 3g mod at the time, and I thought I was smart. This is pretty close to military technology. Or just very exotic stuff. I just can't get over how cool it is that civilians get to play with this stuff. Btw, I wanted to get me a disco, but here in romania, I am not technically allowed to fly it all. So, it's not even on sale. Even my old quadcopter is technically illegal, especially with a 4g mod. I never used it as such, I just wanted proof of concept. Also I wanted to control it from a computer screen, with a PS4 joystick. I did that as well. I hated the phone thing. Anyway... fun stuff.

[@deezyysdronereviewsanddeal4982]

Loving it!

[@ilsocio84]

You are my inspirational muse!!! I love it 😍😍 Now I know what I have to write to Santa Claus , I have been a good boy this year!!!

[@DavidBBergen]

This is great, I want to a solar drone, my mavic air 2 to precious to that, thanks for the video !

[@joshuabateman7540]

Question about your mavic air 2 how is the quality of your 4K mine is like it’s 2.7k or 1080! It is not the quality I expected

[@DavidBBergen]

@@joshuabateman7540 its great 4 k, everything comes out auto in the settings ,like the iso, white balance etc, I saw some other youtubers put on a variable nd filter and it makes it look movie quality ... did all your updates ?

[@joller79]

Great mod, if it is cabable of continious flight, then a cool challenge could be a 24 hour flight, or a around the world flight, programmed in it..😉

[@HeziRR]

The disco is Soo cool! So you have unlimited range and battery while flying in the day?

[@DustinDunnill]

Won't be unlimited but will put some power back in for longer flight as long as there is good sun 🍻🙂

[@ralphmcintire1]

Your video has inspired me to also try the 4g but I am having a very hard time finding the correct dongle. Which one are you using and are you one different lte bands in hawaii. I am in indiana and I need 2,4 or 5. I need to purchase a 3327-510 but can not find one. When in the docs it specified what models worked it did not specify the bands. Confusing. What carrier are you also using? I even bought a disco to give this a try but no stick... It will be nice hearing from you. Thanks Ralph

[@DustinDunnill]

You can see compatible tested modems at uavpal.com 🍻

[@ryanwood2093]

Would clear plastic shrink wrapping the wings with the panels on decrease the solar input? Might make the setup more durable and moisture resistant?

[@DustinDunnill]

The panels themselves are already laminated. I think any more will add too much weight. Maybe a little silicone spray treatment on the solder points would keep them from corrosion 🍻

[@davew5383]

It appears that crashing is not an option with the solar panels. Great video, Best Wishes for only smooth landings👍

[@ismailkalkan2383]

hello, very nice work, you connect the output of the solar panel directly to the input of the drohnen battery, thank you... greetings

[@jetmartin9501]

Yea!!!!!!! MORE DISCO!!!!

[@wasyl00]

You should test what current these solars output, this should give you idea how much these will contribute towards your circuit. Anyways good video. I'm waiting for a test.

[@DustinDunnill]

At about 30watt output and 16volts in perfect sunlight they should produce around 1.8amps by using the I=P÷V formula. Having direct sunlight perfectly perpendicular at all times will be near impossible so I'm assuming an average of around 1 amp in good sunlight. Definitely a little boost but not enough for continuous flight 🍻

[@uhumunu]

Mahalo Dustin!

[@DustinDunnill]

🤙

[@flashesbuck]

There has to be a tiny battery controller to put in there? I would hate for the thing to burst into flames and come crashing down in some ones yard

[@DustinDunnill]

As long as the panels are not left connected while not flying there shouldn't be an issue. The Disco will draw more in flight than these panel can provide at full potential 🍻

[@woofvault]

Seems like the website is not in use anymore, any idea where I can purchase such solar panels for the disco?

[@jimster1111]

hey man could you please do a video on how to do the 4g mod? more specifically how can i get this 4g mod to work with other single prop drones? hopefully even a raspberry pi based drone?

[@Wd-yp4kv]

Can you please update you links for the 4g mod parts.

[@DustinDunnill]

Ok I'll take a look 🍻

[@Al-iw9qf]

I remember this one!! I loved that video!!

[@ismailkalkan2383]

hello,,there is a problem with my parrot disco, the battery is full, but when I press the power button, it won't turn on, what could be the reason I do

[@kaicameron6401]

Loved the video you ran on this after the comm upgrade. If you had full sun couldn’t this upgrade allow the disco to operate 3 or 4 times longer?

[@DustinDunnill]

I think it will only supplement with around 1 to 2 amps into battery if sun is good. Likely maybe another 10 to 20 minutes of flight time but we'll see 🍻

[@tamisonsresources3396]

@@DustinDunnill Solareal says their tests reveals twice the advertised flight times with the Stock battery

[@DustinDunnill]

Under absolutely perfect sun & wind conditions perhaps it's possible. I'm waiting on calm weather and I will compare with and without in my flights test 🍻

[@thedroneosphere1760]

Whats up bro we waiting on the next video..im excited to see it fly bro lol

[@DustinDunnill]

It's been really windy here. Not good for long plane flights like this. Hoping for some calm and sunny weather 🍻

[@Bato2000]

I would love a video to see how much flight time can be gained with these solar panels One problem the Disco has is that the voltage indicator just goes low. I mean that if, for example, it charged more battery than it is consuming and it marked 50% battery, even if the batteries were 100%, the indicator would only show 50%. I know this because I have checked it with a voltage regulator. When the voltage drops, the battery percentage drops, but if you later raise the voltage again, the battery percentage does not increase

[@DustinDunnill]

Correct, battery percentage app icon will not show an increase while in the powered on session but it will slow or stay at a percentage indefinitely if voltage is increased. This setup will never increase the voltage while in flight as it is only meant to supplement with 1 to 2 amps maximum which is less than the Disco draws while flying.

[@tuttoto]

@@DustinDunnill thanks... it was the question I had in mind while watching your video... ;)

[@KingHaggis]

So, did you try it out yet? Was it a success? How much longer can you fly with this solar panel mod? Right now I manage about 1.5 to 2 hours with a 10A pack. I'd love to squeeze as much flighttime out of my Disco and hope this mod will help with that.

[@DRONETREADONME]

I predict a range test in the future.....

[@ismailkalkan2383]

Hello, I have the parrot disco drohne, I want to make the 4g lte system, but I don't know how to do it, can you help me,, thank you,,

[@therandomnessofeverythinga7045]

Hey Dustin...Can you or anyone that knows please tell me if there is a “Replacement Motor” for the Disco as the original here in Australia are massively overpriced for what they are.......Thanks in advance😀

[@DustinDunnill]

I'd stick with a factory replacement motor. You should be able to find parts on eBay or other sites 🍻

[@kpavlos1990]

Did the link you posted for the panels change? Was thinking about ordering the panels already attached to the wings, but the link isn't working

[@amawarifaasamuel7645]

Ordered one of these through your link. Thanks for your Video. I have a question. I have a Lion battery Mod that used the original Battery protection circuit on the original battery. Hope this will act as some kind of regulator.

[@bassbo1]

But, but.. how about overcharge protection of the cells in the Disco??? And balancing the cells as well?

[@DustinDunnill]

This is meant as a supplement while the Disco is flying. Since Disco will be drawing more power than this system can provide, there will never be a risk of overcharging or the need for balancing 🍻

[@bassbo1]

@@DustinDunnill Alright, looking forward for the next video, would be interesting watching the voltage ;-)

[@franciscoe.9989]

Happy New Year 2023 - Great Presentations - Every year * Nuclear Batteries are not yet available, so we have to find a way for a long range flight with solar cells** Why not get a 10,000 mah battery and have the solar cell maintain it charge for a long range flight?

[@abellegarreta6425]

Can you oír solar panels ok DJI mavic 2?

[@dhoffman6435]

Solar panels, another Disco 1st! Question? I see you are using a lens protector. Based on your experience with the Disco's camera, what's the "best" printed lens protector available for the Disco that doesn't block the field of view? Thanks.

[@DustinDunnill]

I like the low profile protector for least wind resistance and good protection 🍻

[@SuperJMN]

Is there any other good drone that is 4g capable? I have both Anafi and Disco. Anafi is fantastic in terms of vid quality, but having a 4g modded Disco makes every other flight experience dull.

[@filipeliasik8489]

Hi i wanted to ask you what usb cable do you use for the modem because link in description dont work Thanks

[@barryb.k.t4010]

Can you use other 4K modems for this mod? , this one seems to be back ordered for a long time . Thank you

[@ismailkalkan2383]

Hello, I just flew the parrot disco for the first time, but I didn't quite succeed, it took off well, but then it flew very fast again,, I had a little trouble, I didn't slow down the engine, as I saw in youtube, the drohn automatically slows down the engine when it goes up, where am I? I'm making a mistake, can you help me, thank you in advance,, greetings

[@FPV-px7od]

@DustinDunhill any updates on this set up yet? Thx brother! Love your channel

[@DustinDunnill]

Waiting on the right weather. Maybe this weekend 🤞🍻