Millions and millions of dead drones

[Jeff Neese]

I'm new here and I introduced myself in the "Introductions" section and got a warm welcome. Thanks to all.

When I bought my first toy quadcopter I was not aware that the motors have a limited lifespan. Fortunately I'm fairly technical, know how to solder and have the right equipment (including a magnified solder station) so I was able to replace the motor no problem. Now of course I know that I need to keep a generous supply of cheap motors and just be prepared to swap them out on a regular basis. It just goes with the territory in the "toy drone" hobby arena.

I'd have to believe that most people aren't aware of this characteristic when they buy their first drone, or get one for Christmas, and wouldn't be able to swap a motor anyway. Then they get 50 to 80 flights before the motor quits, and they probably chalk it up to "cheap Chinese crap" and set it aside never to be flown again. Therein lies my question.

What happens to the millions and millions of these drones? There are some very popular models that are common Christmas or birthday presents (Aunt Millie gets her nephew a drone and sees the U818A gets good reviews so she buys it). Fast forward one month later and that drone is sitting somewhere with a bad motor.

Has anyone ever tried to harvest those? I'm thinking Craigslist, offering say $10 for drones that no longer fly. Who knows what kind of calls you might get. You might score some pretty sweet quadcopters that just need the motor replaced. To them it's junk but to someone that can fix it, it's simply a quadcopter that needs a motor replaced and will probably be good as new.

Thoughts?

 

[Jackson]

Then they get 50 to 80 flights before the motor quits, and they probably chalk it up to "cheap Chinese crap" and set it aside never to be flown again.

Or how about those who wanted a quad and were advised to 'build their own'. I'm sure there are hundreds, if not thousands that never got off the ground in any meaningful way and are now collecting dust.

 

[DuaneM]

I cruise ebay all the time looking for dead or discarded drones. Mostly I find the expensive types like the DJI Phantoms in various stages of needed repair. Every single one goes for more money than I care to spend on a crashed drone. Oh and watch out for the ones that fell into the backyard pool!

A lot of people out there are doing exactly what your talking about, I personally went ahead and built my own after learning all I could from a toy drone. I'm keeping my toy for my wife that says "she wants to learn how to fly".... we'll see.

I have found people selling them in huge lots. Again too much for me, but you may be able to afford them? Just do what I do and cruise every forum and online auction site you can google.

 

[DuaneM]

I would put the ad in your local paper first, you never know, you may end up with a ton of drones and able to piece a few gems together. It's what I used to do with cars. I bought a lot of them every month from a local towing outfit that had to get rid of the unclaimed cars in their lot. I had a bigger lot (actually 11 acres in the deep woods) and could get them for $25.00 each. Some ran, some didn't. I kept buying all the cars I needed parts for then rebuilt and sold them every month to afford to do it all over again the next month. Worked great until the local zoning officer happened upon my property.

You need to do the same thing, get in with the repair shops that do this and get their drones that are being throw out or raid their dumpster.

Anyway, lost my train of thought, the wife just came home and I have a mess to clean up ... yup, drone parts!