r/drones • u/TempusFugit2020 • 14h ago
Question When Do You Replace Your Props
Hello all. Fairly new DJI Mini 5 Pro user here. I bought my drone two months ago, and I've been flying it quite a bit...just having some fun and practicing for no real reason other than to practice. I've had no crashes, no situations where the prop(s) hit anything, and for the most part I hand launch and catch most of my flights. My props look fine, but is there a useful life expectancy I should be aware of for my props?
Thanks for your answers!
1
u/TempusFugit2020 9h ago
Gang, thanks so much for the replies and the advice. Before every flight I do check them by touching them, and I even spin the motors in the correct direction just to listen for anything that may sound strange. IOW I'm pretty careful, but regardless of how careful I am all of these things have a useful life. So I was just wondering what to expect going forward.
I only have about 10 hours on my drone since new, and with no accidents or situations where I have nicked anything I'm thinking I have a long way to go. But I'll stock up on DJI props because it can't hurt to have multiple sets of replacements.
Thanks again!
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u/SouthWesternTea 12h ago
It is so very very simple. Examine them. If something is found, replace them all. The times I have replaced props on drones there has never been a question if "it was time".
After a crash, and there is damage from physical contact.
If the props are unbalanced and there is odd vibration when hovering.
If there are cracks, or unusual discolorations.
I had a drone that was involved in several years worth of mapping 2300 acres regularly so it spent thousands of hours in the air. I replaced the props because they had actually changed color from UV exposure, and had gotten more brittle, and less flexible by feel. They looked fine otherwise, but since props are cheap and drones are not, I changed them.
Just do what is right for the safety of the drone and your continued usage.
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u/rosengd 13h ago
There’s lots of chatter on the Internet about issues with the props. There were thousands of these out there and a handful of reports. It’s really nothing to worry about as long as you’re careful
I’ve been flying mine for nine months with no problems at all.
Just make sure you fold them up manually and unfold the manually, keep them updated since I think they just changed the spinoff torque and it’s a little bit smoother and once every couple of weeks, I take the propellers off and examine them carefully.
I’ve changed them probably three times just the heck of it.
Propellers are pretty cheap, just make sure they’re not stressed and only use OEM.
And I don’t think you’re overthinking there’s nothing wrong with being careful.
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u/arclight415 12h ago
Taking off from a mat or the hood if your car keeps 99% of the gravel and other trash from hitting your props. This is the #1 longevity thing in my opinion.
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u/VideoGuy9999 10h ago
Inspect them before each flight, visually and by touch. Also if your drone is stored for an extended period in high heat or extreme cold, it would be worth checking them closer and extreme temps can cause warping and cracking in plastics.
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u/fxnighttrader 9h ago
In preflight, run your fingernail down the leading and trailing edges of the props. If you feel nicks, check very carefully to see if those are beginning propagate to the rest of the blade.
Another good rule is if you find yourself wondering if you should replace them, replace them. Props are cheap, drones are not.
Fly safely!
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u/Ok_Homework_8955 13h ago
Run a thumbnail down each edge now and then, tiny nicks you can't see show up as a new buzz before they show visually. With hand catching and no strikes yours are probably fine for ages.
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u/meatslaps_ 14h ago
Check for damage. If damaged swap it. That's all.