I just got one of the new style pitot tubes with combined static & dynamic tubes.
I noticed that if I plug the four holes around the tube and plug the hole at the tip, that there is cross flow of air between the static & dynamic sections.
Is this normal?
I thought that the two parts were supposed to be sealed from each other.
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FYI, my 3DR tube purchased in October 2014 does not leak.
They have known about this issue since Feb 2011, but no action, QA is a mystery at 3DR. Great blog by Users, DIY QA too.
So I've checked the replacement pitot tubes that I received... and... they all LEAK!
Now I have even more tubes to fix. 3DR should just make it a kit because we have to take them apart & re glue them anyways.
This coupled with the fact that the airspeed sensor is quite noisy makes me wonder if I'll even bother with the airspeed sensor.
I don't know ! ??
By the way, I sent my concerns about the leaking pitot tubes to 3DR without asking for a refund or a replacement. Without noting directly the concerns about the leak, they promptly sent me a replacement that was leaking also.
I give up. Evidently, they are not reading the comments sent to them, nor are they reading this forum's tech support area.
I just got a shipping confirmation from 3DR for the pitot tube replacement.
I am assuming the 3DR Manager will see the big picture (the assembly problem) besides sending a out a couple of tubes for a couple of people.
Well I received a reply from 3DR about the pitot tubes.
I look forward to seeing if the assembly problem has been resolved.
well I think that when you sell something you should back it up
even when it is open source and not completely commercialize you sell something you need to give support
otherwise there is no point in buying from i will just pick the Chinese one which i know i will have to fix but will cost me
much less
but that is just me
To add to Leo's photos, the photo shows the breakdown of the pitot tube. The arrow points to the area where the leak is. The dynamic pitot tube is not sealed into the end cap, and the end cap is not sealed into the large main tube.
The crossflow leak seemed really small in my case and not sure if the low pressure of air streaming in as the plane moves in the air would have effected it, but I rather eliminate any potential for a crossflow.
I am personally not asking for any refund or credit from 3DR, I understand that things may not always work out when you innovate, but this issue seems to be a problem since April 2012 and I do not see it officially being addressed. If the leak is bad enough, it may lead to some crashes or at least countless hours of frustration of tuning.
I used Leo's suggestion of heating the epoxy at the end. I used a soldering iron.
they should offer all the broken 3dr pitot tube owners a replacement or a low price for a fixed pitot
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