- Joined
- Jan 25, 2016
- Messages
- 67
- Reaction score
- 29
- Age
- 60
- Location
- Hattiesburg, Mississippi
- Website
- terrylowe.com
I started second-guessing my last tests because so many people chimed in that they had trouble with their props being out of balance and I seemed to have 12 that were perfect. I found that I made a critical mistake when using the laser technique. I had my drone tied down too tightly against REALLY compressed foam. I believe that I tied it so tight that it dampened the vibration too much.
SO, (and I feel like I was back in a college physics lab), I got a nice thick piece of foam and tied the drone loosely enough that it didn't move more than an 1/2 inch or so when I engaged the motors. As Joe said, just so it barely compresses the foam. Doing it that way, I had vertical lines everywhere!!! (Still no horizontal or C-shaped patterns though). With twelve props using trial and error and with my lack of experience, it would have taken me hours with trial and error to get them all balanced.
The EJH rod just came in the mail, so I used that. It was no hassle at all taking out two screws on each hub. 11 of the 12 props I owned needed a little sanding and 2 of them needed a lot.
So then I retested each prop on the laser table and the dot patterns were spot-on. I didn't find any out of balance after balancing with the EJH rod.
My conclusions:
1. If you have a new DJI prop, it is probably out of balance.
2. Both techniques are very effective for finding unbalanced props.
2. The EJH rod is easy to use as you simply remove the hub, attach the rod and start balancing. In addition to the rod, I would recommend a good prop balancer. Purchasing the rod and the balancer cost me more than using the laser technique.
3. The "Joe Technique" requires a laser pointer, a reflective surface, a way to attach the reflector, a vise for the laser, a nice piece of foam, a way to tie down the bird, and a good location to work. (You want the laser to reflect a good distance away so you can see the vertical lines easier). All of these materials (except initially for the foam) were in my shop already. This will help detect if your motor is out of balance as well if your prop needs work. And this technique is much cooler. You get to play with a laser and it does not involve cats.
SO, (and I feel like I was back in a college physics lab), I got a nice thick piece of foam and tied the drone loosely enough that it didn't move more than an 1/2 inch or so when I engaged the motors. As Joe said, just so it barely compresses the foam. Doing it that way, I had vertical lines everywhere!!! (Still no horizontal or C-shaped patterns though). With twelve props using trial and error and with my lack of experience, it would have taken me hours with trial and error to get them all balanced.
The EJH rod just came in the mail, so I used that. It was no hassle at all taking out two screws on each hub. 11 of the 12 props I owned needed a little sanding and 2 of them needed a lot.
So then I retested each prop on the laser table and the dot patterns were spot-on. I didn't find any out of balance after balancing with the EJH rod.
My conclusions:
1. If you have a new DJI prop, it is probably out of balance.
2. Both techniques are very effective for finding unbalanced props.
2. The EJH rod is easy to use as you simply remove the hub, attach the rod and start balancing. In addition to the rod, I would recommend a good prop balancer. Purchasing the rod and the balancer cost me more than using the laser technique.
3. The "Joe Technique" requires a laser pointer, a reflective surface, a way to attach the reflector, a vise for the laser, a nice piece of foam, a way to tie down the bird, and a good location to work. (You want the laser to reflect a good distance away so you can see the vertical lines easier). All of these materials (except initially for the foam) were in my shop already. This will help detect if your motor is out of balance as well if your prop needs work. And this technique is much cooler. You get to play with a laser and it does not involve cats.