Mavic Mini - Inspections

[Thanev]

To be honest, he'd fit in the ducting! Job done for a bag of sweets ?

And ,as Bosco Bear mentions,may need a dust mask.

 

[Deleted member 103366]

Is this a job for any RC vehicle? Other than line of sight along the duct would not, presumably, metal ducting block control signals for all normal RC vehicles?

 

[scro]

maybe something with "ducted" fans would work ,like a hovercraft

No, what you need is the mavic 'air'

 

[old man mavic]

internal ducting inspection is really a specialised job, requiring the use of a commercial grade Enderscope most ducting has inspection hatches at set intervals to enable this to be carried out

 

[Motorcycle Rider]

Put a go pro on an rc car instead.

 

[Bloodied_Mini]

I've tried using the MM for inspections in my own factory. Few things to note:

1) When you are indoors with no GPS, the MM refused to fly higher than 10-15 ft. You can trick it by placing a table/scaffold beneath it.

2) When flying over pipes and ductings, downwards sensors will make your MM raise up, need to watch out on that.

3) If you's flying into a duct where only MM will fit in, DON'T. If you crash, extraction will be difficult. You may lose signal as well.

I'd advice getting a wired RC vehicle with camera for those due to signal issues.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Lee.m]

Make sure you use prop guards

 

[rehkram]

I wonder how a Skydio 2 would do in that situation, flying within its 3D imaging model of the surroundings. From what I've seen it wouldn't succeed in its current iteration but perhaps more feasible in a few generations.

 

[KB4MTO]

I would think that in the space of the duck because it is enclosed the ground effect would cause a lot of instability. I have flown in my narrow hallway that is about the same width and it was tough keeping it going forward. I'm not sure if this is the case, but that was my first thought.

 

[SpitFire]

I think a small ATV with a camera would be less hassle then trying to fly a drone in the duct work. Unless you like a challenge. Either way would love to know what you decide to do.

 

[Matt M PA]

I’d agree that a wheeled vehicle may be more suited for this task.

Which reminds me of a guy from years ago that installed security , phone systems, etc. They use a radio controlled Tamiya tank to pull cables across commercial building drop ceilings...

 

[RogerDH]

Is this a job for any RC vehicle? Other than line of sight along the duct would not, presumably, metal ducting block control signals for all normal RC vehicles?

I don't know -- maybe the signal would bounce around in the duct and it would work fine? We need a test!