Removing The Phantom 3 Camera: A Step-By-Step Guide

Removing the camera from a Phantom 3 drone can be a tricky process, and official sources advise against it. However, it is possible to do so, and there are several online guides and YouTube videos that provide step-by-step instructions on how to remove the camera and gimbal. Some users have reported success by following these guides, but others have encountered issues such as broken wires and lost video transmission. It is important to approach this process with caution to avoid damaging the drone or its components.

Removing the gimbal and camera from a Phantom 3 Standard

To remove the gimbal and camera from a Phantom 3 Standard, follow these steps:

Firstly, it is important to note that DJI does not recommend removing the gimbal and camera from the Phantom 3 Standard. Some users have reported issues and complications with the process. However, if you proceed with caution and care, it is possible to successfully remove the gimbal and camera for replacement or repair.

Locate the wires connected to the camera. There should be three wires: one black, one grey, and a bundle of grey wires. These wires are connected to the top right and bottom left of the camera. Before disconnecting the wires, take note of their positions and ensure you have the necessary tools, such as a small screwdriver, to carefully remove them without causing damage.

To disconnect the wires, gently remove the covers on the camera base by unscrewing the screws holding them in place. You can then gently pop the connectors off, being careful not to apply too much force. The single grey wire connects to the connector next to the ribbon cable, while the single black wire connects to the connector on the side.

Once the wires are disconnected, you can proceed to remove the gimbal and camera assembly from the drone body. This may require additional steps and disassembly, depending on your specific model and setup. Remember to handle the components with care and keep track of any additional screws or parts removed during the process.

When reinstalling a new or repaired gimbal and camera, ensure that the wires are routed correctly and securely connected before powering on the drone. Test the camera functions and video transmission to ensure everything is working properly before attempting to fly.

Disconnecting the single black and single grey wires

If you are reinstalling the wires, you will notice that one wire is shorter than the other. Replace the 2.4G Antenna, ensuring the black wire comes from the left side and the grey wire from the right. Feed the wires through the hole with the ribbon cable. Place the camera back onto the drone, and you will see which wire connects to which post. One wire will not be long enough to reach the other post.

It is important to note that DJI advises against removing these wires, as it can be a challenging process. However, with careful attention to detail and gentle handling, it is possible to successfully disconnect and reconnect the single black and single grey wires.

Replacing the camera gimbal

To replace the camera gimbal on your Phantom 3, you'll need to first detach the camera unit. This involves prying or pulling the clear, round retainers from each retaining pin on the camera mount. You may need to have some spares on hand in case the tabs on the retainers break. Once the retainers are removed, take out the pins and the four rubber dampers.

Next, you'll need to release the tabs on the grey cables connecting the camera unit to the aircraft using a spudger. Set the aircraft aside.

The next step is to disassemble the camera control case. Remove the four Phillips 0 screws from the bottom of the case, keeping the two orange screws in the plastic cover separate as they are shorter. Remove the plastic cover by sliding it out. Use a metal spudger to gently release the adhesive between the ribbon cable and control body, then rock the upper case side to side while pulling it straight from the lower half. Work the upper case free from the bearing and shaft, being careful that the cable doesn't re-attach itself. The bearing may stay in the upper case or on the shaft, so remove it if it's on the shaft and set it aside.

Now, it's time to disassemble the camera control. Use a plastic spudger to release the white adhesive between the ribbon cable and control board. Remove and set aside the bearing if it's on the shaft. Flip up the two brown lock tabs on the cable connection points, then slide the cable free.

If your arm is still attached to the shaft, loosen the set screw at the shaft using a 1.5mm Hex bit/wrench and slide the arm assembly free. Inspect your control board for any physical damage.

To disassemble the upper arm, use a metal spudger to detach the cable adhesive along the upper gimbal arm. Remove the three 1 x 5 mm screws from the upper housing using a Phillips #0 bit/driver, noting their position. Then, remove the two 1.5 x 4.5 mm screws from the curved portion of the body. Carefully slide the motor board off the retaining pegs, being mindful not to pull the cables. Use a plastic spudger to flip the release locks on the cables and finish removing the board from the assembly.

Note the position of the keyed motor shaft relative to the housing, as this will need to be realigned if the motor is removed. Your kit may include an alignment tool for this purpose.

Now you can install your new gimbal, following the steps in reverse order. Reinstall the cables, making sure to properly wrap them around the camera axis. Use a spudger to press down on the cable lock. As you reassemble, carefully align all cable adhesive points to their proper positions on each arm. Ensure that the upper arm is aligned at 90 degrees to the camera axis. If you removed the lower gimbal motor, use the alignment tool to realign it to the shaft and housing.

Your Phantom 3 should now be ready for flight with its new camera gimbal!

Troubleshooting a lack of video feed

If you are experiencing a lack of video feed on your Phantom 3 drone, there are several possible causes and troubleshooting steps you can try.

Firstly, check that your device is not suffering from a common issue caused by a faulty firmware update. Several users have reported that after updating their drone's firmware, they lost video transmission and experienced a black screen. This issue may be due to circuits on the board being destroyed by the firmware update. If you suspect this is the case, you may need to send your drone to a repair shop or replace the affected parts yourself.

Another potential cause of video feed issues is the "08-15 error", which can occur after a failed firmware update. This error can affect the camera/gimbal unit and may require replacement of these components.

If your drone has not been flown for a long period, the problem could be related to the "nand flash". This issue occurs when the drone is not used regularly, causing bad blocks in the memory to grow and corrupt the flash memory. To fix this, you may need to flash the firmware on the internal memory of the Lightbridge module.

Additionally, it is recommended to ensure that your drone is booted up at least once every three weeks to prevent the Lightbridge module from becoming corrupt.

In some cases, video transmission issues may be related to radio channel problems, particularly with OFDM or RC.

If you are still experiencing video feed issues, it is advisable to consult a professional repair service or seek further guidance from online forums and communities dedicated to drone troubleshooting.

Fixing a broken gimbal mount

If you've crashed your Phantom 3 and broken the gimbal mount, the first step is to assess the damage. The gimbal mount is designed to break in the event of an impact, so you may only need to replace the plastic mounting plate. The part you need is the DJI Phantom 3 Standard Camera Vibration Board, which costs around £7 and comes with replacement screws. You'll also need some basic tools for the repair: a small Phillips-head screwdriver, a small flat-blade screwdriver, a 2mm Allen key, wire cutters or strong scissors, and ideally a plastic spudger (though a fingernail or screwdriver can also be used).

Once you have the necessary parts and tools, clear a work area and remove the props from your Phantom. Lay the drone upside down and cut through the anti-drop pins, as these cannot be removed and reused. Remove the main ribbon cable connector with a small flat-blade screwdriver. If any wires popped out of the connector, push them back in, starting from the left-hand side when viewed from the front of the Phantom. Take a photo for reference so you know which wire connects to which socket.

Using a plastic spudger or your fingernail, carefully lift each of the cables to disconnect them from their connectors. Do not force this step, as you may break the connector. Now, unscrew the four Allen bolts and carefully feed the wires through the hole in the plate. Before screwing on the new plate, fit the anti-shake rubber grommets and slide in the anti-drop pin.

Carefully feed the wires through the hole in the new mounting plate and screw in the four Allen bolts. Now you can reconnect the wires to the gimbal and refit the plastic covers. With the repair complete, test the gimbal to ensure your camera is working properly.

If your gimbal arm is also damaged, you will need to replace it along with the cable for your camera. To do this, first detach the camera unit by prying or pulling the clear round retainers from each retaining pin on the camera mount. Remove the pins and the four rubber dampers. Use a spudger to release the tabs on the grey cables between the camera unit and aircraft.

For more detailed instructions on disassembling and reassembling the camera control case, camera control, upper arm, and other components, refer to online guides specific to your Phantom 3 model.

Frequently asked questions