How heavy is too heavy?

[Meinthai]

Hi All

Can I ask what kind of weights people are flying with? I just brought a Phantom 2, which fell out of the sky on it's second flight. I've gotten a refund from the shop I brought it from, but thought to ask DJI personally why they felt it happened before buying a second Phantom 2. DJI informed me that it probably happened because I had put to much weight on the craft, although I was only flying with the accessories suggested by DJI.

I still had 75% of the battery left after it crashed. I also tested the motors to see if they worked. They all worked, but I didn't try to fly again.

My Phantom crash video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEPqavkKYNg

DJI Phantom 2 - 1000g
DJI Zenmuse H3-2D - 157g
GoPro Hero 3+ - 74g
DJI AVL5.8Ghz Video Transmitter - 39g
DJI clover leaf antenna - 14g
DJI Prop Guard - 75g

= 1359g

I am thinking to remove the Prop Guard, but add an iOSD Mini = 14g

= 1298g

What is the maximum flight weight?
DJI Website = 1000g http://www.dji.com/product/phantom-2/spec
Phantom 2 Manual = 1300g http://www.dji.com/product/phantom-2/download
B&H Supplier = 1400g http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1 ... h3_2d.html

Did I add to much. Am I expecting to much? Would love to hear your experiences of adding things to the Phantom 2.


Thanks

 

[xgeek]

Looks like you crashed as you was descending into your own prop wash rather than it being the weight that caused it. Have a read up on vortex ring state (settling with power).

BTW Mine weighs in at 1360g

 

[NEILS]

Nearly the same, i have a phantom 2 vision with extras added, current weight is 1460g, yes its a little sluggish and not as nimble when it was stock however I can still chuck it about if I want and get 15 min flight times so does fine for me, hope this helps.

 

[d4ddyo]

Yep. Looks like VRS. crash didn't look bad tho. was nice enough for the place to take it back.

 

[skeeter]

...and, it seems, that prop guards can exacerbate the "descending into prop-wash" aka Vortex Ring State...

Basically, don't descend straight down...if you do, do it S L O W L Y.....

ouch.....

Brings to mind a question: If you find yourself in a VRS condition, what is the accepted method to recover? Release (center) sticks completely?

 

[d4ddyo]

increase power early on VRS. if too late then bad idea will make it worse and it will drop faster. release sticks and give it lateral movement into the wind. last step... if you have enough altitude say one Our Father and one Hail Mary.

 

[Meinthai]

Hi All

thanks for the information. The issue of VRS is completely new to me, but sounds very likely. thanks for clearing that up for me.

All the best