Really dodgy WKM power cable

[Davidhippo]

Hi all,

Building myself an F550 just now with a WKM flight controller, just got to the stage when it's time to power everything up and start getting into the assistant software...

However, when connecting everything up I found I had no power to the MC, checking connections the power cable which is a deans to deans/XT60 plug (as supplied by DJI in sealed pouch) I found the smaller positive cable, which goes to the WKM just popped straight out from under the heat shrink, it didn't even appear to have been soldered to the deans connector!

Obviously, I can solder this back on, but has anyone else experienced this and should't we all be slightly concerned about this small but vital bit of kit, which may have been missed by DJI quality control? couple of pics attached.

I bought it from Quadcopters.co.uk and will give them a buzz this morning, (as mentioned it was in a sealed pouch so there's no way it can be a quadcopters error) but has anyone else had a similar problem? Thanks in advance.

David

 

[DennyR]

I have a Naza V-sen unit from Geoff that had a different problem My naza was all over the place and I just could not dial it in then I found that it was due to severe electrical noise coming from the unit. I bought another one and it is now fine.

 

[ChrisViperM]

If you do this long enough, you don't waste your thoughts anymore about the "out-of-the-bag" quality of electrical connections. As soon as I buy something with cables on it (Flight Controls, LiPo Batteries, etc) I get my box with the only two connectors I use: EC5 (bullet style) or XT-60,
View attachment 6378View attachment 6379

heat up my soldering iron and replace whatever was originally dangling on the cables....and I do that ALWAYS. Forget Dean plugs....they are from the 19th century. I also do all wiring harnesses, splitters ect. myself. There are enough other tings to worry, so at least I want my electric stuff done properly.

Chris

 

[Davidhippo]

Thanks for the heads up Chris - more fool me for thinking spending £750 on something might mean a bit of care and attention had gone into it's preparation... I guess it's all part of the learning process!

Time to get the soldering iron out!

 

[ChrisViperM]

You are no fool at all....just going through what we all went through. Most of the "toys" we buy in the RC field are industrial made...no one is looking if the connectors are soldered properly, if all screws are tight and with thread lock, if all gears are meshed up in the right way and so on.
The less you trust anyone and the more you check each and everything on your Copter the more likely it will stay in the air and doesn't fall down like a brick. Good luck for your future in this amazing hobby...

Chris

 

[Davidhippo]

Thanks Chris, I spoke to Geoff at Quadcopters this morning and he pretty much said exactly the same as yourself.... I'm just glad I got found this out while the 'copter is still sitting on my bench and not when it's dropping like a stone!

I'm off to find my soldering iron. Cheers.