The increased affordability of drones has created a rise in the popularity consumer grade drones. But just like any other equipment, drones should be regularly inspected, maintained, and cleaned to ensure that they are in tiptop shape and functioning properly. Here are 5 Drone Maintenance Tips every drone owner will want to know.
Drone Maintenance Tips
In recent years, it was reported there were already over 1.1 million drones in the United States alone. Drones have quickly entered the mainstream due to the many benefits that they offer and the various fields that they can be used in – from photography and real estate to competitive sports and more. In the digital age, drones are undoubtedly a valuable long-term investment.
Maintaining your drone is a key part of drone ownership. This can prove to be tricky for most consumer-grade drone owners who may not know how to properly take care of your drone. Here are 5 practical, but important tips on maintaining your drone.
Run Checks on the Drone’s Physical Body
The first thing that you should at look when performing drone maintenance is the outer shell of the drone, specifically, its chassis, motor, and propeller. These three components should be free from mud, dirt, and other debris. If not, use a microfiber cloth and a little water to thoroughly clean them. This cleaning should be conducted regularly since it can be quite dangerous if any foreign matter is lodged in any of the drone’s “body parts.â€
While cleaning these parts, inspect them for any cracks or fractures. You should also double-check that each component is tightly screwed in place, however, refrain from over-tightening screws as this can cause critical damage when the drone is in flight.
If any of the parts are broken or not working properly, replace them at once. Reach out to your drone’s manufacturer for information on spare parts.
Run Checks on the Drone’s “Flying†Parts
Once the inspection and cleaning of the drone’s physical shell are through, open the chassis and inspect its internal wiring for any frayed or worn points. Ensure that none of the wires are loose and if they are, solder them. If your model has any exposed wiring, thoroughly inspect these too.
The drone’s unit camera should also be clean and free from any debris. The legs of its landing gear should not be bent or cracked and all rubber absorbers should be secure.
Lastly, make sure that the drone’s antennae is in good condition and is screwed properly into the unit. Loose antennae can lead to a lack of connectivity during the flight and eventually, loss of control.
Run Checks on the Charger Control Station
Replace any faulty components on the control station, remote control, and the charger. Maintaining these three parts are often overlooked but they are extremely critical when it comes to keeping your drone in good condition.
Run Checks on the Batteries
To extend your drone’s life span, ensure that its batteries, including any spare packs, are intact and free from any bulges and leaks. Affected batteries should be discarded and replaced.
Keep batteries charged between 30% to 90% and refrain from overcharging or completely draining them.
If you regularly operate your drone in high temperatures, keep an eye out on the temperature of the batteries. If it gets higher than 65°C or 149°F, your drone should be landed immediately.
Run Checks on the Drone’s Firmware and Software – and often forgotten drone maintenance activity
Taking good care of your drone means regularly verifying that its firmware and software are up to date. This reduces security vulnerabilities and ensures that all its components are functioning properly.
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Happy flying and be sure to check out our guide on traveling with a drone. It’s not overly difficult to travel with a drone, but there are a few things to consider when taking your drone on vacation, but we’ve done all the leg work for you, including an entire section on airline drone policies and the TSA’s opinion on bringing a drone through airport security.
For more drone tips and articles check out these interesting articles:
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- American Airlines Drone Policy – can I take my drone on an American Airlines flight?
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- Top 5 Drones on Amazon.com
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- Spirit Airlines Drone Policy – what is Spirit’s Policy on Traveling with a Drone?
- United Airlines drone policy – what you need to know about bringing a drone on United
- Southwest Airlines Drone Policy – does Southwest Airlines Luv your drone?
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