Question about propellers | DJI Mavic, Air & Mini Drone Community

So far I have replaced props ONLY because of damage. I think visual and tactile inspections will find dangerous damage. Running a blade between my finger and thumb whilst applying a slight twist to the blade has found cracks/imperfections that my eyes have missed, some crack edges mate so perfectly with one another that they were invisible unless the light catches them 'just right', yet my fingers felt them.

With drones that have foldable props I would check the 'wobble' of the individual blades on their pivots. I doubt there will ever be much wear there but I don't know about stretching "creep" of the material of the props' hub.
Also keep an eye out for blade distortion that renders them less effective than they should be, you may get related warning in the app (motors overspeed, max power reached, or simialr etc.). This was an early problem with Mavic Minis, possibly due to inappropriate stowage of the blades when the drone was in its case etc..

With spring and catch mounted props I would also occasionally check the prop hubs and their catches for cracks etc..
There have been at least two threads where such a hub has failed in flight and the drone was left with only half a hub and one blade attached to the motor. There is also an M3 ? crash over on the DJI forum where the drone somehow lost 3 complete propellors and half of the hub of the remaining prop.
I can only assume that the lost props were somehow detached in the crash but can't help but wonder when the damage to the remaining prop happened. I check before every flight, usually give em a spin and check the edges just in case. And hover at about 10~20ft for a few before continuing on to watch for any oddities.

Far as rated hours, if you get props from Master Air Screw, on the packaging it says to replace them after 500 flight hours. Most people don't keep track of that, but you can with something like AirData for a specific drone to see how many hours of flying has been done since a certain date.

So far I have replaced props ONLY because of damage. I think visual and tactile inspections will find dangerous damage. Running a blade between my finger and thumb whilst applying a slight twist to the blade has found cracks/imperfections that my eyes have missed, some crack edges mate so perfectly with one another that they were invisible unless the light catches them 'just right', yet my fingers felt them.

With drones that have foldable props I would check the 'wobble' of the individual blades on their pivots. I doubt there will ever be much wear there but I don't know about stretching "creep" of the material of the props' hub.
Also keep an eye out for blade distortion that renders them less effective than they should be, you may get related warning in the app (motors overspeed, max power reached, or simialr etc.). This was an early problem with Mavic Minis, possibly due to inappropriate stowage of the blades when the drone was in its case etc..

With spring and catch mounted props I would also occasionally check the prop hubs and their catches for cracks etc..
There have been at least two threads where such a hub has failed in flight and the drone was left with only half a hub and one blade attached to the motor. There is also an M3 ? crash over on the DJI forum where the drone somehow lost 3 complete propellors and half of the hub of the remaining prop.
I can only assume that the lost props were somehow detached in the crash but can't help but wonder when the damage to the remaining prop happened.

Thanks a bunch.

I check before every flight, usually give em a spin and check the edges just in case. And hover at about 10~20ft for a few before continuing on to watch for any oddities.

Far as rated hours, if you get props from Master Air Screw, on the packaging it says to replace them after 500 flight hours. Most people don't keep track of that, but you can with something like AirData for a specific drone to see how many hours of flying has been done since a certain date.

Master Screws props rock. They look cool and are slightly quieter than the stock props.

Indeed, excellent customer service too.

And while technically they are 'slightly' quieter, the change in pitch makes them feel much much quieter. I'm hard of hearing with most of my loss on the higher frequency side and yet the stock props still sound like a bag of angry hornets. The MAS props especially in an urban environment just blends in with the background. The lower pitch is much more pleasant.

Watched several videos, read some reviews and the input here on the forum. Just ordered a set for my Air2 and Mini2. Thanks. I think DJI recommends every 200 flights. Not there yet, but just replaced mine with a set of red master screws. Have yet to see this confirmed, but while my old props look fine (no damage, edges fine, spin smooth, etc.), I'm more worried about constant compression against the drone from being stored in a loaded bag. Worried that the pressure constantly pressing the blades against my drone will flatten them out, albeit slightly but enough to diminish performance. Of course, I could remove the blades after every flight before storing, but my flip-side worry is that constantly removing and replacing blades will wear down life of the spring / locking mechanism. I guess I just worry too much.

I think DJI recommends every 200 flights. Not there yet, but just replaced mine with a set of red master screws. Have yet to see this confirmed, but while my old props look fine (no damage, edges fine, spin smooth, etc.), I'm more worried about constant compression against the drone from being stored in a loaded bag. Worried that the pressure constantly pressing the blades against my drone will flatten them out, albeit slightly but enough to diminish performance. Of course, I could remove the blades after every flight before storing, but my flip-side worry is that constantly removing and replacing blades will wear down life of the spring / locking mechanism. I guess I just worry too much.

So dji recommends after about 82 hours of flight time for their included props.

Where have you seen that?

With regards to removing the props fo storage, I would worry that that would leave the spindle exposed and unsupported. Though I believe some people do do it.

It was DJI Forums. Just went and tried to trace it back to the DJI response, not miscellaneous forum members repeating the 150-200 flight recommendation. The only DJI support statement I could find in the forum for the "150-200 flights" was for the Phantom, so indeed possibly not applicable to Mavic series. I did open a support chat and asked them what they recommend (either age, hours or flights) just now and they would only say, do a visual inspection before each flight, they refused to give any recommended life span / maintenance cycle. Of course part of that could be for legal protection - they don't want to say 82 hours, 200 flights, whatever, and then someone has an incident prior to that and blames them. This way they can put the responsibility back on the owner, rather than a guideline. Personally as a 107 pilot I'd prefer to have maintenance guideline as well. I do have visual inspection before each flight (but of course that's preflight checklist), and for maintenance schedule I have listed every 150 flights or one year whichever comes first.

It was DJI Forums. Just went and tried to trace it back to the DJI response, not miscellaneous forum members repeating the 150-200 flight recommendation. The only DJI support statement I could find in the forum for the "150-200 flights" was for the Phantom, so indeed possibly not applicable to Mavic series. I did open a support chat and asked them what they recommend (either age, hours or flights) just now and they would only say, do a visual inspection before each flight, they refused to give any recommended life span / maintenance cycle. Of course part of that could be for legal protection - they don't want to say 82 hours, 200 flights, whatever, and then someone has an incident prior to that and blames them. This way they can put the responsibility back on the owner, rather than a guideline. Personally as a 107 pilot I'd prefer to have maintenance guideline as well. I do have visual inspection before each flight (but of course that's preflight checklist), and for maintenance schedule I have listed every 150 flights or one year whichever comes first.

Seems kind of low when you consider 25 minutes or so per flight. At that rate is at best 83 flight hours.

Master aircrew state 500 hours on theirs before you should replace.

Anyone else ever try folding props on a P3 drone? I would love to hear your feedback. I searched a lot on here and on the the net but couldn't get that much info or reviews.

I have only used original DJI props on my P3S since I got it almost 2 years ago and I have read lots of threads on why original props are the best quality and agree with all the reasons, BUT fall is here and winter is on its way. During the winter the temps can regularly get below -10ºC here and often even colder. I use a backpack for my P3S and often go out on my Snowmobile or skis to fly. Last year I almost froze my fingers off a few times while trying to screw on the props and because of this was often rushing so that my fingers wouldn't get cold - a recipe for disaster!

When I get the props I'll check them out and see how the build quality is. If they look cheap I probably won't use them and when I do try them it will be in a wide open area with lots of snow (snow covered frozen lake) should they fail in flight.

I do have a Spark that has folding props but I find that the cold weather really affects the gimbal - it often doesn't pitch at all or the pitch control becomes very erratic and unreliable making it difficult to use on cold days. Aside from reduced battery time the cold temps do not affect my P3S gimbal so that is why I want to use it on cold days.

Chris

Be sure to Check the balance on the folding props.......i can only imagine....Trying to balance a prop of that type Would Be Very Hard to accomplish.....Let US all know what you do and find out....If you could Not find any info here On this site.....I'd say they are Not any Good to use !

Thanks for the reply.

I wonder about the balance and quality too. I’ll see what they are like when I get them. I have to find a better solution for flying in cold weather as spinning props on in sub zero weather freezes my hands off and then its hard to get them warm to fly. Have tried gloves (still get cold and much less dexterity) and hand warmers. I used to have a Nanuk hard case that I could keep props on but that only worked for locations to drive to. Won’t work while skiing or on my snowmobile.

I did see a Youtube video but it wasn’t really clear about any negative effects.

So many stories of issues and loss of aircraft from aftermarket props of all kinds.

It’s a tuned system as shipped and changing props will certainly de-tune the system.

I have read many of those stories and I agree that it is a well tuned system. When I get the props I'll see what they are like and may or may not try them. They were not expensive so I just thought I'd order them to see if they may work. If I do use them, I would only use them when I need them such as when I am out on a trail and it is cold. I never fly my drone beyond visual line of sight and likely would keep it closer with these foldable props in case they failed. Basically it boils down to not being able to fly on a cold day where some of the nicest shots can be had or flying and accepting the risk.

Launching in cold weather is difficult at any time but having to spend even more time screwing on props with my bare hands in very cold weather can be just as risky too. Last winter, I flew my P3S quite a lot in cold and even snowy weather. The cold weather was by far the most difficult to get my drone launched in, especially when out in the middle of nowhere. My hands would get cold quickly and then it would be hard to warm them up enough in time to operate the controller even with warm gloves on.

I think there would be a pretty good market for foldable props for the phantom line if some company could make reliable quality folding props (hint, hint, DJI).

OH.......I see your profile that your 99 years old...That age sure could be the issue.....Poor Circulation ! ( Just kidding i Hope that your not 99 years old)

The props and battery's are TWO very important things for a * safe Flight * !

99 Years old! If I live to be that old that would be an accomplishment. I don't think my profile states my age but I do notice there are 99 likes.

I agree - props and batteries are 2 important things for a safe flight. That being said, I have 4 batteries for my P3S and 3 are non DJI - never had a problem with them. They look and work the same as the DJI one. Thats Great then...on the props....Ever flight that you make is all recorded in the drones DAT file...that file records the serial number of the battery in the Drone per flight....IF its a drone with in the years warranty and the drone has a battery related CRASH....and its sent to Dji repair for warranty work...And they search the DAT files and see it crashed because of the non Dji battery related failure then its going to be sent back !...or the repairs will all Be Paid By you.

I have rode my bike thru your beautiful province and camped 5 miles east of Kenora Ontario at a nice campground !
Thanks for the reply.........Drone On --------->

Thats Great then...on the props....Ever flight that you make is all recorded in the drones DAT file...that file records the serial number of the battery in the Drone per flight....IF its a drone with in the years warranty and the drone has a battery related CRASH....and its sent to Dji repair for warranty work...And they search the DAT files and see it crashed because of the non Dji battery related failure then its going to be sent back !...or the repairs will all Be Paid By you.

I have rode my bike thru your beautiful province and camped 5 miles east of Kenora Ontario at a nice campground !
Thanks for the reply.........Drone On --------->

I don't have worry about any warranty issue as my P3S is long out of warranty, so if I did have an issue with a non DJI battery it wouldn't matter anyway.

Yes, we are fortunate to have some beautiful areas here in Ontario especially in our Provincial Parks. Not only are there beautiful areas, but all the seasons are beautiful as well. Our fall colours are just starting now and hopefully they will peak by next weekend - Thanksgiving Weekend here in Canada.

Here's the ones I ordered in case anyone has tried them.

View attachment

Wow- if they threw in adapters so you could get them on the 4 series phantom and added flashing lights they could appeal to every phantom owner....

Have a really good look at the threads in the hubs, OEM thread design helps to ensure they don’t spin off during braking. Next thing I would really pay attention to is the hinges (prop root should be bushed) and the hub material, if it’s not glass reinforced nylon I wouldn’t even bother risking a test flight.

I don’t mean to be negative but these look like a lot more show than go.

Wow- if they threw in adapters so you could get them on the 4 series phantom and added flashing lights they could appeal to every phantom owner....

Have a really good look at the threads in the hubs, OEM thread design helps to ensure they don’t spin off during braking. Next thing I would really pay attention to is the hinges (prop root should be bushed) and the hub material, if it’s not glass reinforced nylon I wouldn’t even bother risking a test flight.

I don’t mean to be negative but these look like a lot more show than go.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will check the things you mention. I have a feeling they won't be as good as they look and sound, but I thought I'd order them to check them out.

In the meantime, I will be looking for other solutions to launching my P3S on cold frosty days when I am out on a trail. If they look and feel really cheap, I likely won't try them.

I'm going to keep my eye out for a backpack that I can keep my props on (original DJI ones) and that doesn't cost half of what I paid for my P3S. The folding props finally came today. Almost 2 months from China.

Here they are on my P3S:



Haven’t tried them yet and probably won’t for awhile if at all. Want to do more research first. Regardless, I was pleasantly surprised - they seem well built and solid. They screw on fine but they seem to tighten up faster. They are the same length as my DJI ones but a slightly different shape.

This past week it has been cold (-4 to -5C) and snowy and my hands have been getting cold even with gloves on since I have to remove my gloves to screw and unscrew my props. It would make a huge difference with the foldable props but I am not sure I want to try them yet. Going to wait for more snow and no wind.

Chris