Building a model and connecting everything, DON'T INSTALL THE PROP!

[randyrls]

When I am finishing the installation of electronics, before the first power up, DON'T INSTALL THE PROP! I have had the prop start spinning because of crossed wires. I have a twin prop (Bronco) that has a "kill" switch at the rear of the plane. I plug in the battery and then reach from behind the plane and turn on the kill switch. It scares the bejesus out of me to plug in that battery between those two spinning meat slicers!

 

[Bricks]

Always take the props off when first setting up an electric plane, there have been a few posts on here of going to Emergency Care to get some repairs done.

 

[Captain Dunsel]

If you must, have a prop on the plane to check if the rotation is correct, use one that is loose and don't tighten it down - just let it rest on the prop shaft, with no retaining nut.. Just crack the throttle, verify the direction of rotation, then shut down and remove the prop. Don't go to full throttle, lest the prop take off across the workshop!

 

[LitterBug]

Or put some painters tape on the motor shaft so you can see the rotation...

 

[Bricks]

Or put some painters tape on the motor shaft so you can see the rotation...

Or even hold your finger on the bell of the motor.

 

[Captain Dunsel]

Good points, LitterBug & Bricks. as long as the motor bell is 'touchable'. I used to use Popsicle sticks, drilled out for a loose fit, on my Speed 400 motors, but that was a long time ago.

 

[MadMonkey]

Early on after switching to Radiomaster from Spektrum I yeeted a plane off my workbench when I accidentally reversed the throttle 😆

I also had a note published in Model Aviation's safety section where I had a quad jump into my hand from a silly mistake.

Y'all be careful. A few seconds of extra work can save you from a lifetime of nerve damage. I've used APC props as knives in a pinch, they're no joke.

Edit: and another thing, don't risk using damaged props, especially on larger motors. The vast majority of the time, when an engine throws a prop blade, it'll turn sideways and dump its energy pretty quickly. But, aerodynamics, like firearm ballistics, does funny things sometimes, and I've seen a prop blade arc 20 feet like a spear and punch a hole in a metal roof.

 

[Mr Man]

Or even hold your finger on the bell of the motor.

That’s what I do 👍

 

[Mr Man]

I've seen a prop blade arc 20 feet like a spear and punch a hole in a metal roof.

Yikes! 😳

 

[Houndpup Rc]

That’s what I do 👍

Just don't catch your nail on the vanes in the motor...I did that tonight and it rip part of my nail up!

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Early on after switching to Radiomaster from Spektrum I yeeted a plane off my workbench when I accidentally reversed the throttle 😆

I also had a note published in Model Aviation's safety section where I had a quad jump into my hand from a silly mistake.

Y'all be careful. A few seconds of extra work can save you from a lifetime of nerve damage. I've used APC props as knives in a pinch, they're no joke.

Edit: and another thing, don't risk using damaged props, especially on larger motors. The vast majority of the time, when an engine throws a prop blade, it'll turn sideways and dump its energy pretty quickly. But, aerodynamics, like firearm ballistics, does funny things sometimes, and I've seen a prop blade arc 20 feet like a spear and punch a hole in a metal roof.

My brother has done that and he was hold on to his airplane by just the rx wires! (Thankfully it was just a little 2204 that didn't have that much thrust..Still startling though!😂😂)

 

[Mr Man]

Just don't catch your nail on the vanes in the motor...I did that tonight and it rip part of my nail up!

I didn’t see any blood in your video 😉 😂

 

[Houndpup Rc]

I didn’t see any blood in your video 😉 😂

I cut that part out 😂 👍