First, the current issue.. then, a little backstory.
My current Typhoon H is 'refurbished' unit from an authorised repair centre as my original Typhoon H had issues, and they refused to repair it under warranty. Since getting this refurbished unit, I've had nothing but issues.. the first few flights went ok, but since then, more often than not, the H has been flipping over on take-off, using tearing the camera/gimbal off its mount or (on the last flight) breaking props.
Since this had happened a few times, I was very suspect of this particular H and started recording take-offs using my mobile phone. The other day, it happened again, and I got it on video! I will upload that video when possible.. its on my friends phone.
I've seen posts on here of people having issues with the H flipping on landing, but my case is on take-off. What happens is, I power on the drone, check for any messages/warnings, then 'prime' the motors and let it idle for around 30 seconds, checking for any odd noises or vibration/movements. Then, when everything is ok, I hold UP on the left stick to take off. More often than not, it simply rolls over (usually to the front) instead of launching into the air. When this happens, the front part of the landing gear never even gets off the ground. It simply rolls over.
So, here is a little backstory of my history with Yuneec and their products.
1) Purchased a Q500 4K - enjoyed it immensely. Kept up to date with firmware updates etc.
2) One day, while setting up to take some video for a job, I went to launch the Q500 4K.. it got a couple of meters in the air, then came crashing to the ground with "Motor error - Enter five-rotor mode!" on the ST10 display.. a bit odd, since the Q500 is a quad rotor..
3) Tried to call the place I purchased the drone from (around 8 moths earlier) to find they were out of business.
4) Tried to contact Yuneec to find what my options were in regards to warranty - no response from any emails I sent.
5) The Q500 sat in its box, broken, for several months.
6) Eventually, I went out and purchased a Typhoon H as a replacement, vowing that I never wanted to have my drone fall from the sky again due to a single motor issue.
7) All was well for around 10 months, then the ST16 kept going flat.. I'd charge the controller overnight (sometimes taking up to 6-8hrs to charge) put it in my flight case in the morning, drive to a job to find its down to 30% or so.
8) After a while, the ST16 started to take 12+ hours to charge, then eventually wouldn't charge at all.
9) I purchased a new battery for the ST16 assuming this was the issue.. new battery arrived, same problem.
10) I decided to look for any authorised repair centre in Australia again.. FOUND ONE! I was so happy that I'd be able to get my Typhoon H repaired under warranty!
11) Took my Typhoon H and Q500 4K into the service centre. They said the Typhoon H would be no issue - it was a known fault, and after I explained my Q500 4K issues (and lack of service centre) they said they can probably get that pushed through under warranty too -- HAPPY DAYS!
12) Months passed. No updates from the repairer. Each time I called, I told it was 'in process' or 'waiting on parts' or some other excuse.
13) Eventually, after pushing, and informing them that my drone is a tool for work, they basically admitted that neither will be repaired under warranty.
14) They did offer to fix my H at a 'reduced price' and I agreed.
15) Each time I called about it, it wasn't ready. I stressed that I needed it for work, and I was losing money by not having it. I was told it would be done by Friday afternoon.
16) I catch a 1hr vehicle barge (I live on an island) and drive another 50 minutes to the service centre, to find out its not repaired. I am them told it will certainly be done by Monday.
17) I call Monday morning to confirm, and they assure me it will be ready. I get there. Guess what? Not ready.
18) I lose my cool, and have a bit of a go at them.. each barge trip is costing me $100, plus 50 minute drive, for nothing..
19) They offer me a refurbished unit in replacement of my H. I accepted. Still no update, quote, or anything on my Q500 4K.
20) I use this refurbished drone on its first job.. on the 4th take-off, it flips over and tears the camera off
21) I contact the service centre (by email, it was out of business hours) and explain what has happened.
22) I get no response, and I call up a few days later. They ask me to pay $1200 for the refurbished unit. I stressed I am NOT paying $1200 for a refurbished unit that was given to me because they had not fixed either of my other drones in around 3-4 months they have had them. Especially not a refurbished drone that flips/crashes randomly on take-off.
23) I have emailed on multiple occasions for updates etc, and had no response. I did get a voicemail message on my phone once that they are reporting me to the police for 'stealing' a drone. THEY STILL HAVE 2 OF MINE THEY HAVENT FIXED!
24) Current result. Repairer has 2 broken Yuneec drones of mine. I have 1 broken refurbished unit that randomly flips/crashes on take-off. Repairer does not answer emails, and I would refuse to work with them at all, due to them not fixing my first 2 drones, and claiming I 'stole' this refurbished unit.
Anyone know how I can stop this refurbished one flipping over? Anyone know of any decent Yuneec service centres in Australia? Or how about some sort of contact email/phone for a decent Yuneec customer service line in another country?
My current Typhoon H is 'refurbished' unit from an authorised repair centre as my original Typhoon H had issues, and they refused to repair it under warranty. Since getting this refurbished unit, I've had nothing but issues.. the first few flights went ok, but since then, more often than not, the H has been flipping over on take-off, using tearing the camera/gimbal off its mount or (on the last flight) breaking props.
Since this had happened a few times, I was very suspect of this particular H and started recording take-offs using my mobile phone. The other day, it happened again, and I got it on video! I will upload that video when possible.. its on my friends phone.
I've seen posts on here of people having issues with the H flipping on landing, but my case is on take-off. What happens is, I power on the drone, check for any messages/warnings, then 'prime' the motors and let it idle for around 30 seconds, checking for any odd noises or vibration/movements. Then, when everything is ok, I hold UP on the left stick to take off. More often than not, it simply rolls over (usually to the front) instead of launching into the air. When this happens, the front part of the landing gear never even gets off the ground. It simply rolls over.
So, here is a little backstory of my history with Yuneec and their products.
1) Purchased a Q500 4K - enjoyed it immensely. Kept up to date with firmware updates etc.
2) One day, while setting up to take some video for a job, I went to launch the Q500 4K.. it got a couple of meters in the air, then came crashing to the ground with "Motor error - Enter five-rotor mode!" on the ST10 display.. a bit odd, since the Q500 is a quad rotor..
3) Tried to call the place I purchased the drone from (around 8 moths earlier) to find they were out of business.
4) Tried to contact Yuneec to find what my options were in regards to warranty - no response from any emails I sent.
5) The Q500 sat in its box, broken, for several months.
6) Eventually, I went out and purchased a Typhoon H as a replacement, vowing that I never wanted to have my drone fall from the sky again due to a single motor issue.
7) All was well for around 10 months, then the ST16 kept going flat.. I'd charge the controller overnight (sometimes taking up to 6-8hrs to charge) put it in my flight case in the morning, drive to a job to find its down to 30% or so.
8) After a while, the ST16 started to take 12+ hours to charge, then eventually wouldn't charge at all.
9) I purchased a new battery for the ST16 assuming this was the issue.. new battery arrived, same problem.
10) I decided to look for any authorised repair centre in Australia again.. FOUND ONE! I was so happy that I'd be able to get my Typhoon H repaired under warranty!
11) Took my Typhoon H and Q500 4K into the service centre. They said the Typhoon H would be no issue - it was a known fault, and after I explained my Q500 4K issues (and lack of service centre) they said they can probably get that pushed through under warranty too -- HAPPY DAYS!
12) Months passed. No updates from the repairer. Each time I called, I told it was 'in process' or 'waiting on parts' or some other excuse.
13) Eventually, after pushing, and informing them that my drone is a tool for work, they basically admitted that neither will be repaired under warranty.
14) They did offer to fix my H at a 'reduced price' and I agreed.
15) Each time I called about it, it wasn't ready. I stressed that I needed it for work, and I was losing money by not having it. I was told it would be done by Friday afternoon.
16) I catch a 1hr vehicle barge (I live on an island) and drive another 50 minutes to the service centre, to find out its not repaired. I am them told it will certainly be done by Monday.
17) I call Monday morning to confirm, and they assure me it will be ready. I get there. Guess what? Not ready.
18) I lose my cool, and have a bit of a go at them.. each barge trip is costing me $100, plus 50 minute drive, for nothing..
19) They offer me a refurbished unit in replacement of my H. I accepted. Still no update, quote, or anything on my Q500 4K.
20) I use this refurbished drone on its first job.. on the 4th take-off, it flips over and tears the camera off
21) I contact the service centre (by email, it was out of business hours) and explain what has happened.
22) I get no response, and I call up a few days later. They ask me to pay $1200 for the refurbished unit. I stressed I am NOT paying $1200 for a refurbished unit that was given to me because they had not fixed either of my other drones in around 3-4 months they have had them. Especially not a refurbished drone that flips/crashes randomly on take-off.
23) I have emailed on multiple occasions for updates etc, and had no response. I did get a voicemail message on my phone once that they are reporting me to the police for 'stealing' a drone. THEY STILL HAVE 2 OF MINE THEY HAVENT FIXED!
24) Current result. Repairer has 2 broken Yuneec drones of mine. I have 1 broken refurbished unit that randomly flips/crashes on take-off. Repairer does not answer emails, and I would refuse to work with them at all, due to them not fixing my first 2 drones, and claiming I 'stole' this refurbished unit.
Anyone know how I can stop this refurbished one flipping over? Anyone know of any decent Yuneec service centres in Australia? Or how about some sort of contact email/phone for a decent Yuneec customer service line in another country?