Long-term effects of flying in the rain

Marcus Liew said:

Hi !
Marcus here !
Just got a Mavic Air 2 a couple days ago and was wondering if someone could inform me on the long-term effects of flying in the rain every now and then. Not a drone expert by any means; in fact, this is my first drone and I've never had any experience with drones prior to this. Read about Phantomrain's wetsuit and just watching the videos made my jaw drop... like how is flying in such extreme weather conditions even remotely possible?

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Asumming your talking about this video:



DJI drones are very water resistant on there own as they use Aluminum Brush-Less Motors which are designed to Negotiate Water and Extreme levels of Heat.

The Weak Link is the Battery and the Power Button and some vents which is what the Wet Suit Focus on by creating
an air tight seal on the battery and Power Button this stops the water from getting to the battery without the worry of a dis connect or ruining your battery.. .

With over 100 flights in the Rain we have never as much as wipe the drone off or the lens . It just sits and air drys and ready to fly the next day. Its only possible because of the Wet Suit protecting the Battery and the Power button and guarding the Vents and that Neoprene drys quickly.

One test you can do is to find the DJI weakness is run your Battery under the kitchen sink for just 1 minute and you will find that the Power button has been compromised as it starts to flash, , than open the battery up and you will find water inside the battery. This puts a 1 minute downpour into perspective.

The big surprise is the Phantom 4 Pro will be moving into the 160 some flights in the rain/snow this year.
It will be interesting to see at what point the Phantom 4 gives up the Ghost. lol

I suspect that what ever number the Phantom posts will be outdone by the Mavic as its design is much better for Extreme Weather flying.

Were going to start flying all 4 Drones together in the Rain , should be interesting.
The Air 2 - Mini 2 - Mavic 2 and the Phantom 4 as I would like to have that video.

Phantomrain.org
Gear to fly your DJI in the Rain and Float on Water.

My M2P, which I've disassembled to replace two broken arms, is not waterproof and not even water resistant. DJI doesn't recommend flying in the rain.

Pure distilled water is an insulator (doesn't conduct electricity), but rain water is far from pure, often containing all manner of contaminates, including acid (acid rain). There's lots of exposed wiring connections to short and corrode if they get wet. Of course, others can do as they wish, mine won't be intentionally flown in the rain.

bumper said:

My M2P, which I've disassembled to replace two broken arms, is not waterproof and not even water resistant. DJI doesn't recommend flying in the rain.

Pure distilled water is an insulator (doesn't conduct electricity), but rain water is far from pure, often containing all manner of contaminates, including acid (acid rain). There's lots of exposed wiring connections to short and corrode if they get wet. Of course, others can do as they wish, mine won't be intentionally flown in the rain.

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As an engineer who works day in and day out with water proofing electronics, I concur.

ymmv if you fly in the rain and nothing I have seen so far will really prevent long term damage confidently. To some degree, yes.

As well as the issues with water and electronics, you have the problems of
Water getting into the camera
Raindrops making The touchscreen of your phone or tablet go crazy.
Raindrops on the camera lens make the photos unusable.
And who wants to stand in the rain flying a drone?

Thats why I sit in my truck to fly whenever I want to. Here mostly from the heat and mosquitoes.
I do plan on getting an Air 2 for a back up as this mini doesn't suit me for one and most likely get one of Coal's suits for it just to have one if I get caught in the rain as it is a wet place where I live.
That said I do not know why but every time this is brought up this gang mentality starts up on this vender so lets go easy. I'm not saying it's great to fly in the rain but many do and have these suits he sales and about all I've seen is happy members so again let's stop with the rain is going to make me melt guys.
I had my Pro hit a limb a year ago and drop in 1' of water till I could grab it and though it did ruin my battery
I let it set for a month after blowing it out, using electronic cleaner sprayed in every vent and still fly it
as it is my go to bird.

Marcus Liew said:

I see... thanks for the pointers! Btw, is footage shot in the rain worth the risk? Or rather, is the footage any good in terms of cinematics ?

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Raindrops on the lens look like out-of-focused blurs in the image.

Meta4 said:

As well as the issues with water and electronics, you have the problems of
Water getting into the camera
Raindrops making The touchscreen of your phone or tablet go crazy.
Raindrops on the camera lens make the photos unusable.
And who wants to stand in the rain flying a drone?

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Absolutely. Just in case you did not see this... here's proof of effect...

Marcus Liew said:

Hi !
Marcus here !
Just got a Mavic Air 2 a couple days ago and was wondering if someone could inform me on the long-term effects of flying in the rain every now and then. Not a drone expert by any means; in fact, this is my first drone and I've never had any experience with drones prior to this. Read about Phantomrain's wetsuit and just watching the videos made my jaw drop... like how is flying in such extreme weather conditions even remotely possible?

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Here comes the commercials and videos yet again. If I were you I wouldn't fly my computer in the rain.

Marcus Liew said:

Ouch...I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Really impressed that you replaced those broken arms on your own. Would you say it is a difficult job to make such repairs? I don't actually plan on flying it in the rain intentionally. It just rains a whole lot where I live so I want to know what I'm up against.

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I was carrying my drone down some icy steps and threw it into a brick wall when I slipped - next time I'll throw myself and cushion the drone! I wouldn't rate repairing the drone as difficult, assuming one is mechanically adept and has good soldering skills etc. (I was a Navy ET for 8 years in the 60's.

DJI Drone Service has good reviews (and free shipping and quote) for those who want to take the easy way, and videos that help those who are brave.

As a happy customer and living in Florida, the Wet Suite is very usable. I agree that probably I will don't fly in the rain since is not nice but as @dirkclod mention, from inside a car is another story. Personally for me is an insurance when I fly in the distance and the rain catch me in the air, the drone will be fine and so far this happened to me 3 times, 2 of them using the Wet Suite.

The other side is the pimp of my drone and good looking, easy to grab and bump protection. I respect as well everybody opinions but living in Florida we need an extra protection. Also do not crucify Vendors that support our forum.

Having a sport car, doesn't mean I have go speeding, is nice to know that the power is there and available if I have to use it. That is how i see the Wet Suite.

Just my 2 cents.

I'm super impressed with Phantomrain's rainsuits but....I've flown in rain for long hours..there is nothing worth seeing. A storm is best photographed from clear air at a distance..IMHO same flight probably ten minutes apart.

zeusfl said:

As a happy customer and living in Florida, the Wet Suite is very usable. I agree that probably I will don't fly in the rain since is not nice but as @dirkclod mention, from inside a car is another story. Personally for me is an insurance when I fly in the distance and the rain catch me in the air, the drone will be fine and so far this happened to me 3 times, 2 of them using the Wet Suite.

The other side is the pimp of my drone and good looking, easy to grab and bump protection. I respect as well everybody opinions but living in Florida we need an extra protection. Also do not crucify Vendors that support our forum.

Having a sport car, doesn't mean I have go speeding, is nice to know that the power is there and available if I have to use it. That is how i see the Wet Suite.

Just my 2 cents.

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To each their own but the wet suit is extra weight and more air resistance when you don't need it.
I also live in Florida for 40 years and have never not known it was going to rain from 1,500 feet away.

I need to disagree with the fact of extra weight and wind resistance. The Wet Suit weights only 0.4 of oz. That is nothing comparing the benefit, and the wind resistance is nothing as well.

Again. The product maybe is not for everybody and we need to respect that.

Usually I fly more than 1,500 ft. since I am able to see the drone mostly up to close 3,000 FT and I use lights to improve the VLOS. Also when i do range test using spotters I go way far, but that is me.

What part of FL you are?

bumper said:

My M2P, which I've disassembled to replace two broken arms, is not waterproof and not even water resistant. DJI doesn't recommend flying in the rain.

Pure distilled water is an insulator (doesn't conduct electricity), but rain water is far from pure, often containing all manner of contaminates, including acid (acid rain). There's lots of exposed wiring connections to short and corrode if they get wet. Of course, others can do as they wish, mine won't be intentionally flown in the rain.

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Quite right too

zeusfl said:

I need to disagree with the fact of extra weight and wind resistance. The Wet Suit weights only 0.4 of oz. That is nothing comparing the benefit, and the wind resistance is nothing as well.

Again. The product maybe is not for everybody and we need to respect that.

Usually I fly more than 1,500 ft. since I am able to see the drone mostly up to close 3,000 FT and I use lights to improve the VLOS. Also when i do range test using spotters I go way far, but that is me.

What part of FL you are?

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Ok, maybe its not that significant but anything you add adds weight and wrapping a battery increases heat, (especially)
in Florida. My point wasn't about going 1,500 or 3,000 feet, I use strobes also, its that when you go out to fly you check the weather, that includes , what's the wind speeds, how the radar look will it be raining soon and if so, I know it and don't fly.
I live 30 miles north of West Palm, we've had our share of rain this year. Happy flying.