Prop choice - APC or change to Xoar (or any other rigid props)

Efliernz

Efliernz

Pete
I am flying a diy HFP 660mm quad with SunnySky 2814-11 700Kv motors with 4S4000 packs. I have tried APC 11X4.7 props but it was underpowered so I put APC 12x3.8's on and it gives me a 50% (stick) hover. It flies well but there is a lot of prop noise in the wind and turbulence and it bounces around. The 12" APC props bend easily and I am wondering if the flexibilty makes the flying worse.

I am wondering if stiffer props like the Xoar matched pair multicopter woods will be better. Has anyone changed over? If I change, do I go for the Xoar 12x4 or 11x6 (as the 11x6 should have more thrust than the 11x4.7 APC).

Any suggestions? I don't mind paying $60 for two pairs. I will have trouble justifying two different sizes just for testing.

Pete
 

D

Dewster

Member
1. Do not use those full carbon fiber props. I had a Gemfan 10x4.5 break on me with less than 5 minutes total flight time. It wrecked my flat hexa. Some say I may have over torqued the prop nut. Others say it may have been a defect because of the small hub. I believe the later.

2. Think about the construction of the prop before investing in it. Like I say...stay away from the full carbon fiber props.

3. The APC props are durable. They are noisy and they do flex. The flex is good in my opinion because it results in smooth transitions during flight. I get nice video and not the snappy performance that you'll see from harder/rigid props. Plus... they won't self destruct in flight like I hear some of DJI props have done.

4. I now fly 11x5 Graupners on my DJI F550 converted into a Y6. The hubs are thick and I'm more than confident that the prop will not self destruct in flight like my carbon fiber ones. I've read that they are more brittle, but I have never had blade strikes from landings. I did have a bird do attack runs on my craft, but I was able to dodge the bird when I had my APC props on.

5. I hear good things from Xoar. They are expensive though. I personally like the look and performance of the Graupners. They are so much more quieter than the APC props. They don't flex as much and that results in snappy performance.
 



jforkner

jforkner

Member
You might consider the APC 12x6E props. They're stiffer than the 12x3.8SF design. I've used both on my hexa with 2814-11S Avrotos. I like the 12x6E props better---more lifting power.


Jack
 

Efliernz

Efliernz

Pete
The Xoar 12x4's arrived and I got one quick flight in last night before dark. Nice and windy with turbulence coming through the trees :D
Observations... it revs more than before and hovers about 5-10% higher stick position - due to the thinner blade compared to a SF prop. It flies much smoother and was not affected as much by the turbulence. I have less power in the climb but it still climbs very well :D
I'll order some 12.6 APC's for my new DWorx VM-6 as they are 1/3 the cost of Xoars for when the VM arrives.

Pete
 

D

Digga

New Member
Hi Pete.

From personal experience with my large DIY quad, I found the Xoar 11x6's on high KV motors seemed to give better all round performance than the 12 x 4's. The flight time was reduced slightly due to higher current draw but the stability in windy conditions was improved.
 


N

nuki

Member
Efliernz, can I ask you for the most appropriate propeller for SunnySky 2814-11 700Kv?

I have a hexa y6 with these motors with 1 or 2 LIPOS of 5000mAh 4S. It weighs about 3,8kgr with gimbal and fpv (with 2 lipos)

x9cp.jpg


I used APC 12x3.8 but I would like to test another props to increase the flying time.
(by the way are you using then same prop size in up and down motor?)

Any suggestion?

Thanks a lot

Efliernz said:
I am flying a diy HFP 660mm quad with SunnySky 2814-11 700Kv motors with 4S4000 packs. I have tried APC 11X4.7 props but it was underpowered so I put APC 12x3.8's on and it gives me a 50% (stick) hover. It flies well but there is a lot of prop noise in the wind and turbulence and it bounces around. The 12" APC props bend easily and I am wondering if the flexibilty makes the flying worse.

I am wondering if stiffer props like the Xoar matched pair multicopter woods will be better. Has anyone changed over? If I change, do I go for the Xoar 12x4 or 11x6 (as the 11x6 should have more thrust than the 11x4.7 APC).

Any suggestions? I don't mind paying $60 for two pairs. I will have trouble justifying two different sizes just for testing.

Pete
Click to expand...
 

DucktileMedia

DucktileMedia

Drone Enthusiast
My personal experience with XOARS is that they take too much balancing since the hubs are large and a natural product. APC thins are great as they are rigid and come in many sizes but they too need hub balancing. I have consistently got the best results from simple APC SF's. I use the 12x3.8's more than anything else. My flight times arent great but thats more the coaxial and low mah. They are just strong, cheap easy props to deal with for your average floating around shots.

In regards to the "dont fly full carbon props" does that apply to the tiger carbon props as well? I havent heard anything bad about them yet, just curious as I was thinking of trying some next.
 

Efliernz

Efliernz

Pete
My quad was under-powered with the Xoar 11x4's... nice and quiet but under-powered. I changed them to HK APC clone 11x6 narrow blades and it rocked.

Xoars are nice but they are very narrow. I think you need to up-size the numbers if going from APC 12x3.8 to Xoars but the 12x3.8 wide blades are an easy prop to use (and cheap)

Pete
 

maxwelltub

maxwelltub

Member
I've tried a lot of props. In fact if anyone wants to by discounted props let me know because I have a APCs, Xoars, Graupners that I dont use. Once I tried T motor props that was it. I like the mounting option and how they have a low profile. I get more flight time and zero vib issues with these props.
 

SMP

SMP

Member
redridinghood said:
Did you know that Xoar are just rebranded JXF? Why pay more just for the name?

They are out of stock now but just an idea. I use JXF 14x4 on my SJ8 with very good performance.

http://www.himodel.com/search.php?psearch=11x5&Submit=Search
Click to expand...

Hey Red, how confident are you in that statement?? I use a lot of XOARs and it would be AWESOME to have the same prop at the lower price for sure.

PS. Iris is right, XOAR woodies take a lot of hub/blade balancing... grr
 
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