Fixing Dented Capacitors on a RC Helicopter Receiver Board

[karabiner98k]

You can even repair completely snapped circuit boards fairly easily with epoxy and some stiff strips of plastic, bamboo or hardwood as bracing splints across the break; assuming there's enough clearance for them. Glue the broken edges of the board together, glue the splints (on both sides if you can), then solder the board leads together. You may need some small pieces of wire to splice the board leads back together; which will also act as reinforcement across the break. Works pretty well for boards that are obsolete and can't be bought anymore. Of course you could take it apart to have a pattern and etch a new one. Probably would not work well with a multi-layered circuit board if they have wires sandwiched inbetween the layers.

Seems like an interesting idea but I think it requires quite a lot of experience and expertise!

I have the brushed motor version of this helicopter and am good at crashing it.

Woooow! Really? Do you have a brushed WL V912?!
I think the best solution is to find a new PCB. But how can I get one when it is not available in my country?!

 

[Tom Kunich]

Hello everyone,

I have a RC helicopter that crashed recently and its receiver board was damaged.

Two capacitors were dented (as you can see in the picture) and the antenna base moved a bit.

I straightened the capacitors which can be seen in the second picture.

After crash:
View attachment 226067
After my adjustments:
View attachment 226068
Despite the damages, the board works perfectly fine and there is no visible change in helicopter flight behavior.
It flies without any problems.

But the question I want to ask is that:

Is it OK to continue flying with this board and those capacitors?
I'm not an electronic expert, that's why I need your help.

Thanks in advance.

Your answer is: "indeterminate". How do you propose a picture is going to demonstrate internal damage of significant levels? The effects of a failed capacitor has different results depending on what section of the circuit it is in. If you want an answer more precise give us a schematic and show on that schematic which capacitors were damaged.

 

[hutchphd]

Seems like an interesting idea but I think it requires quite a lot of experience and expertise!Woooow! Really? Do you have a brushed WL V912?!
I think the best solution is to find a new PCB. But how can I get one when it is not available in my country?!

I got it from a chinese supplier a few years ago. Unless you have a steady stream of replacement parts you will be very frustrated. Incidentally, the electrolytic (can shaped) capacitors contain liquid and most failure modes result in the disgorgement of said liquid. If they don't leak they are probably OK.

 

[Rive]

You can even repair completely snapped circuit boards

Yeah, many miracles are actually possible. I also dealt with PCBs where it was rather an artistic restoration than repair... However, when it comes to paying up for miracles - well...
For example the original problem here would be done for the basic price (for me, that's a small table of chocolate). As for bringing it back from the end result of the continuous 'repairs', that would be almost at the price of the new.

 

[karabiner98k]

For example the original problem here would be done for the basic price (for me, that's a small table of chocolate). As for bringing it back from the end result of the continuous 'repairs', that would be almost at the price of the new.

That's exactly my problem! I don't have access to a brand new PCB for my helicopter.
Maybe the only solution is to find someone who wants to travel to my country. He can buy and bring a new PCB for me.