I modified a pair of Vision props to fit my original Phantom. Only Two of the props had to be modified, the ones with the black centers and left handed threads. I drilled out the threads from the bottom side and continued drilling through the dome on the top of the prop. Then I drilled down from the top with a large bit until the dome was removed. Finally, I ground and hand filed down the top of the prop, plastic and insert, until it was about the same height as the original Phantom props.
It would have been much easier if I had a lathe that would swing the full diameter of the prop but mine only swings about 3".
I mounted the props on the Phantom and took it out for a test flight. After warming up, I gave it some throttle gradually. It did not lift off and started to vibrate as I gave it more throttle. I assumed it was just a bit out of balance and gave it even more throttle. It would not even start to lift off.
Shut down and took it back inside and discovered that I had the props on the wrong motors. The right handed Vision props would screw onto any of my motors, and I had looked at the arrow on top of the prop and matched it with the arrow on the arm. After further inspection, I discovered that there are two arrows on each of the new props, one going clockwise and one going counter-clockwise along with symbols for locking and unlocking.
Swapped the props around and tried again. All worked well and I was able to make a short uneventful flight. I only had a partially charged battery so I was not able to get any flight time comparison. I could tell immediately that the sound was different and the bird responded slower. It hovered very well with the throttle centered. One pleasant surprise was that it descended much smoother through its own prop wash.
I will take the modified props back off and balance them, then make another flight with the GoPro mounted to check for jello and to get a flight time test.
It would have been much easier if I had a lathe that would swing the full diameter of the prop but mine only swings about 3".
I mounted the props on the Phantom and took it out for a test flight. After warming up, I gave it some throttle gradually. It did not lift off and started to vibrate as I gave it more throttle. I assumed it was just a bit out of balance and gave it even more throttle. It would not even start to lift off.
Shut down and took it back inside and discovered that I had the props on the wrong motors. The right handed Vision props would screw onto any of my motors, and I had looked at the arrow on top of the prop and matched it with the arrow on the arm. After further inspection, I discovered that there are two arrows on each of the new props, one going clockwise and one going counter-clockwise along with symbols for locking and unlocking.
Swapped the props around and tried again. All worked well and I was able to make a short uneventful flight. I only had a partially charged battery so I was not able to get any flight time comparison. I could tell immediately that the sound was different and the bird responded slower. It hovered very well with the throttle centered. One pleasant surprise was that it descended much smoother through its own prop wash.
I will take the modified props back off and balance them, then make another flight with the GoPro mounted to check for jello and to get a flight time test.
