We know that the choice of propeller size, type and setting can be overwhelming. Which propellers are best for you? And what are the differences between propellers anyway?
But let's start from the beginning:
Every quadcopter (the most popular size and configuration for FPV drones) has two motors, which are clockwise Clockwise (CW) and two motors that rotate counterclockwise Clockwise (CCW) rotate. Why is this so? A matching CCW and CW propeller is required to generate thrust and the opposite yaw motion, which cancel each other out in flight. Think of it like a helicopter. It has a main rotor and a smaller propeller on the side. This serves to stop the rotation.
When you buy propellers, you should buy them in pairs of CW and CCW. If they are sold separately, make sure you buy both CW and CCW propellers. (They may also be labeled XXXX & XXXXR - where X stands for numbers and R stands for the propeller turning to the right)
You can determine the direction of the propeller by finding the leading edge.
The propeller should turn towards the higher leading edge to generate downward thrust. They are also often marked CW or CCW/ R&L/ R & "nothing" on the blade :)
Propellers are available in different lengths and Pitches (Pitch):The length of a propeller is the diameter of the disk that the propeller forms when turning.The pitch can be defined as the path of a single revolution of the propeller.The larger the propeller (either with increasing diameter or pitch or both), the more energy is required to turn it.
Propellers generate thrust by turning and moving air. The faster the propeller is turned, the more air it can move, which means it can generate more thrust.Increasing the length or pitch of the propeller produces more thrust and leads to higher power consumption. Effectively, the surface area and drag increases, so more air can be moved and more power is required for propulsion (assuming the RPM is constant in this case).
In short, a larger propeller or a steeper pitch increases the speed of your drone, but also consumes more battery power. A larger pitch propeller moves a larger amount of air, which can cause turbulence and more prop wash - but most race pilots don't care. The propellers turn more slowly. But it produces more thrust and a higher top speed at the expense of higher power consumption.For this reason, racing propellers often choose an aggressive pitch.
In general, a propeller with a smaller diameter or pitch can turn faster (higher RPM) because the motor doesn't have to work as hard to turn it... so it draws less current. They tend to run smoother and respond better to steering. The faster change in speed due to the lower inertia contributes to the stability of the quadcopter.So for freestyle and long distance you need something with a less aggressive pitch.
For most FPV pilots, 3-blade propellers (or tri-blade propellers) are the most popular; they are used for both racing and freestyle flying. Three-blade propellers are considered "the golden solution" for more grip in the air, a smooth flight and low battery consumption.Adding more blades effectively increases the surface area, which generates more thrust at the expense of power and drag.Propellers with an even higher number of blades actually exist: have you ever seen the hex blades?
There are pilots who claim that 4-blades are great on indoor tracks and corner well. But they increase the surface area, which makes them really inefficient and much lower in RPM.Basically, the more blades, the more inefficient, but smoother and quieter the flight. This is why some cinewhoops have 5-6 blades.
There are different formats used by manufacturers.
L x P x X
LLPP x X
LLPP x X D
L - length, P - pitch, X - number of blades, D - direction
For example, 6×4.5 propellers (also known as 6045) are 6 inches long and have a pitch of 4.5 inches. Another example, 5x4x3 (sometimes 5040×3), is a 3-blade propeller with 5″ and a pitch of 4 inches.
"BN" stands for bullnose props.
Note: Some companies state that the numbers on their propellers do not match the actual technical specifications. Always pay attention to the product description.
This really depends on the size of the motors and the battery voltage. For 4S this is the general guideline:
4″ props for 150-180mm frame, 2700KV+ motors
5″ Props for 210mm, 2300KV-2700KV motors
6″ Props for 250mm+ frames, 1900KV-2300KV motors
Choosing the right pitch, shape and number of blades depends on what kind of flying style you intend to do.
Aggressive freestyle: a pitch of 3.5 -> 4.5 etc. gives you a lot of thrust at the cost of high power consumption. They also feel "grippier" in turns. This is great for freestyle riders who do a lot of punchouts, and even experienced racers would probably choose aggressive props.
If you have a flowy freestyler style and prefer a smoother feel, you should choose a prop with a lower pitch. (e.g. 2.5-3.5)
Racing beginners: 3.5-5.0 Yes, this is a lower pitch prop. Why? It gives you room for error when accelerating and improves your control over your drone.
Racer: 6.0-7.7 - We racers need speed, don't we? For better racing results, I would recommend 3-blades. However, if you are planning a drag race, use 2-blades. However, these are harder to handle in curves.
I hope this propeller guide has shown you how to find the propeller that suits your needs! Let us know in the comments on Instagram what your favorites are and why!
See you soon, your Lexie!
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